IOC president Bach in Uganda to boost sports collaboration

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Uganda is looking to cement further collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following the visit of the organisation’s president, Thomas Bach.

Bach arrived in the country on Tuesday (October 22) for a two-day visit alongside his wife and an entourage from the IOC and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).

He was welcomed at Entebbe International Airport sports state minister Peter Ogwang alongside a delegation from the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), led by president Donald Rukare, vice-president Moses Mwase, and general secretary Beatrice Ayikoru.

IOC president Thomas Bach and his wife are welcomed by IOC member William Blick (left), Sports Minister Peter Ogwang, UOC president Donald Rukare and NCS Chairman Ambrose Tashobya upon his arrival at Entebbe Airport. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

A team from the National Council of Sports (NCS) led by chairman Ambrose Tashobya and general secretary Patrick Ogwel were also present to receive Bach at the airport's VIP lounge.

Olympians Joshua Cheptegei, Winnie Nanyondo, and Halima Nakaayi were part of the Ugandan delegation that received the visiting Olympic body chief, who is serving his last term as president of IOC.

After a brief reception at the airport, Bach and his entourage headed to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (formerly called The Zoo), where he planted a tree as part of the sustainability project. He was then guided on a tour around the facility.

Bach had the chance to feed the baboons and giraffes, as well as make brief visits to the enclosures of the white rhinos, lions, and tigers.

IOC president Thomas Bach and his wife pose with the Ugandan delegation that received him including Olympians Joshua Cheptegei, Halima Nakaayi and Winnie Nanyondo upon his arrival at Entebbe Airport. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

On Wednesday, Bach will visit the Game Connect refugee project, which connects refugees and sports, at the Yes Centre in Nsambya.

Thereafter, he will proceed to State House to meet the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, among other dignitaries.

“His visit bestows a lot of confidence in the country in terms of sports," said minister Ogwang.

"This country [Uganda] has participated in the Olympics since inception, and we are ready to share our experiences with him but also in areas where we think the IOC could collaborate with us in terms of sports development.

“But his visit also helps us to show the world that Uganda is doing well, even in regards to our iconic projects like the Teryet High Altitude Training Centre, which we want to open to the rest of the world," said Ogwang.

"We think his coming here will help us in advertising that unique facility. He is also here in support of the refugee project, and we are going to commit our continued support and collaboration for the same. I want to thank him for choosing Uganda out of the 260 countries and the UOC and NCS for organizing the visit."

On his part, Ogwel noted that Bach's visit strengthens Uganda's relationship with the IOC further and shows that he appreciates what the government and athletes are doing.

IOC president Thomas Bach is interviewed by the media upon his arrival at Entebbe Airport, October 22, 2024. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

'Great athletes'

“The IOC has impacted lives and changed lives in many forms. Many have benefited from the IOC grant. Infrastructure has been put in many areas, and under the Olympic solidarity programme, many athletes have benefited from the grant that has changed their destiny,” said the NCS secretary general.

UOC president Rukare said they were honoured and thrilled to receive such a high-profile guest in the country.

“As UOC, we are happy that he has chosen to visit Uganda as one of the five countries he is visiting in Africa. We look forward to an exciting two days with him," he said.

Bach said he was looking forward to a great programme, having been received by three fellow Olympians, the minister, and IOC member William Blick.

He said his visit is about sports and the values of sport.

“We see here great athletes and we see a national Olympic committee that is leading by example when it comes to governance, supporting athletes, and social responsibility,” Bach noted, partly explaining why he is here.