By Norah Mutesi and Norman Katende

The Makerere University Council has offered Stephen Kiprotich and his wife, Patricia Cherop, a scholarship for any course they would like to undertake as a way of honouring the London 2012 Olympic Gold medallist.

Makerere University vice chancellor Prof. Ddumba Ssentamu had only announced a scholarship to Kiprotich at any time he felt free to study, as long as he passed the minimum entry standard, but Kiprotich asked for the scholarship to be extended to his wife Cherop, to which the council approved unanimously.

“We are thanking him for the contribution. The wife has also been included on the offer. She can chose to either come to Makerere through the formal education programme or sit for the mature entry exams. It is a lifetime scholarship,” explained university secretary David Kahundha Muhwezi, after the meeting.

Ddumba clarified that though Kiprotich had got the scholarship, the onus was on him to get the minimum entry.

“We have standards and I will want to make it clear that Kiprotich must first attain these standards,” Ddumba said.

Earlier, Kiprotich picked a cheque of sh2m from the Council chairman, Wana Etyem, who said that the University could not afford more money but were only thanking him for being a role model.

Kiprotich was excited about the offer, which he said he got on his second visit to Makerere.

“As a child I grew up hearing about the big Makerere and my first time to step in Makerere was four months back during the national championships and on my second time, I am getting a scholarship. I would advise the youth to rise up and work hard so that we can lift the nation,” said the Assistant Superintendent of Prisons.