STAR: Inzikuru shows off her gold medal after being crowned

By Patrick Alioni
in Arua
THE parents of world 3000m steeplechase champion Dorcus Inzikuru did not watch the historic race on Monday night in which she won Uganda’s first gold medal since the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Her father Jackson Luluwa and mother Joyce Temaru, residing in Olupi parish, Okazara village, Vurra, Ayivu sub-county, were attending to their last daughter at Kuluva hospital, who was suffering from malaria.

By yesterday, Inzikuru’s mother was still at the hospital and could not celebrate the victory.

Inzikuru won the first world women’s 3,000 metre steeplechase title to give Uganda its first gold medal in the 22-year history of the World Athletics Championship. The historical race telecast live worldwide by major television networks took place in Helsinki, Finland.

Speaking to the New Vision yesterday, Luluwa, a retired cleric, said, “I was very happy to get the news about Dorcus. I learnt of her victory this morning from the radio, thanks be to God, who has always been on her side and I thank every body for the support they have given her especially the government. We are very glad.”

By 7:00pm on Monday night, most joints with DStv service were full. Some unscrupulous people even rented out chairs to viewers glued to the events in Helsinki.
At Arua West Nile golf club where most district leaders spend their evenings, there was excitement as Inzikuru appeared on the TV screen running ahead of her rivals. The crowd screamed in Lugbara, “Ene angu vele ku (don’t look behind) as Inzikuru occasionally looked behind to check on the closest contestant. Arua town was engulfed in car horns after the race.

“I have eight children. Dorcus is the eldest. Winnie Ajio, who is 11, is in p.4 at Okazara Primary School. She represented Vurra county at the district athletics championship where she came third in 200m,” Luluwa said.

He said some villagers tease him that although his daughter is known all over the world, he does not even own a bicycle. He appealed to the government to help him since his daughter has made Uganda proud.

“I am happy with my daughter, she has built me a permanent house and her friends can now come home and enjoy themselves,” he added.

“I appeal to parents in this village to support their girls,” said Atara Joseph, 78, Inzikuru’s former teacher at Okazara Primary School.
Ends