Shida Leni might have been the only athlete to display Olympic-level potential during the fourth national Olympic trials, finishing microseconds outside of the all-important Games mark, but the event held Saturday at Namboole Stadium was far from a disaster.

According to local athletics body UAF president Domenic Otucet, there were notable performances, by African standards, from multiple female athletes.

“As far as the Olympics, we didn't get any success, but there were four other female runners with times that are good enough to qualify for the African Seniors Championship'.”

The athletes - Night Aciru (1500m), Josephine Lalam (javelin), Prisca Chesang (5000m), and Jacent Nyamahunge (200m) - posted marks they are entitled to consider with some measure of regard.

But as Otucet quickly pointed out, “Our focus is not Africa, our focus is the Olympic Games.”

Mercifully, a string of qualification opportunities is still coming the way of Ugandan athletes.

“We have an invitation meet on 10th and 11 April in Lusaka Zambia, where we intend to send two athletes, including Leni of course,” revealed Otucet. “Our focus is those quarter milers because when they go there they will get competition.

“Around the same time, we have two women in running in Italy, on April 11, to try to qualify for the full marathon, because we still have two slots there. On the same day, we will have marathon races for our men, to confirm who the three to represent us in the Olympics will be. 

“We are also looking forward to the continental tours and the Diamond Leagues, but you know with continental tours and the Diamond Leagues, it's the managers who enter them depending on their form.”

Already Ugandan athletics boasts 23 with Olympic qualification, although only 17 will make the final cut from that number, with only the top three considered per category. 

Selected results from fourth national Olympic trials

100m

1. Agnes Apio (12.27)
2. Rosemary Acen (12.67)
3. Mildred Gamba (12.71)

200m

1. Jacent Nyamahunge (24.12)
2. Maureen Banura (24.92)
3. Agnes Apio (25.15)

400m

1. Leni Shida (52.7)
2. Jacent Nyamahunge (55.6)
3. Nabirye Nasiba (56.0)

800m

1. Febia Chemutai (2:19.82)
2. Georgina Hikima (2:34.1)
3. Margaret Kajumba (2:43.2)

1500m

1. Knight Aciru (4:16.97)
2. Janat Chemusto (4:29.90)

3 Keren Chemusto (4:48.52)

5000m

1. Prisca Chesang (15:46.72)
2. Dorcus Ajok (16:35.16)
3. Rebecca Cheptegei (17:01.24)

Javelin

1. Josephine Lalam (49.51)
2. Winnie Anek (37.59)
3. Peace Mirembe (34.73)

Discus

1. Caroline Aber (33.68)
2. Rosemary Aciro (32.44)

3 Vivian Acayo (27.88)

Long Jump

1. Scovia Lakot (5.57)
2. Linda Acan (5.38)
3. Domidy Adong (5.12)

Men

100m

1. Musa Isabirye (10.93)
2. Emmanuel Aboda (11.01)
3. Justine Ojok (11.08)

200m

1. Joshua Jagalo (22.03)
2. Thiel Deng (22.06)
3. Francis Mayen (22.76)

400m

1. Denis Opio (48.3)
2. Thiel Deng (48.8)
3. Kokas Erimu (49.0)

800m

1. Emmanuel Osuje (1:50.32)
2. Leonard Opiny (1:50.78)
3. Daniel Ogwok (1:53.83)

1500m

1. Majok Koon (3:44.56)
2. Farid Wabutwa (3:44.88)
3. Emmanuel Otim (3:47.76)

10,000m

1. Silas Boshi (29:21.3)
2. Moses Kurong (29:22.6)
3. Maxwell Rotich (29:24.0)

Javelin

1. Johnson Mwaka (60.12)
2. Oceng Moses (57.75)
3. Gilbert Nyekolobo (41.38)

Discus

1. Oscar Opiyo (36.26)
2. Martin Odong (36.06)
3. Robert Okello (34.98)

Long jump

1. Denis Odongo (6.93)
2. Charles Okello (6.91)
3. Moses Komakech (6.80)