The National Council of Sports (NCS), the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and the Uganda Weightlifting Federation have said weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko is solely responsible for his ordeal.

In the statement jointly signed by UOC general secretary Beatrice Ayikoru, NCS general secretary Bernard Ogwel and Uganda Weightlifting Federation president Salim Musoke, it was noted that Ssekitoleko violated COVID-19 restrictions and was liable for immediate deportation as per the rules governing the Tokyo games.

“On Friday, July 16, 2021, it was discovered that Ssekitoleko had not taken the mandatory daily COVID-19 PCR test. It was established he had absconded from the camp hotel, and could not be located within the precincts of the training camp and this meant he had breached the COVID-19 restrictions that prevented the athletes from loitering in the towns out of camp and he had to immediately be deported,” read the statement in part.

NCS, UOC and the Uganda Weightlifting Federation condemned the manner of indiscipline and unsportsmanlike conduct, as exhibited by Ssekitoleko, which they said tarnishes the image of Uganda.

“We condemn such doings and let it be noted that whoever will do as Ssekitoleko did will be liable to face legal charges as a punishment for breach of code of conduct.”

However, the statement continues to note that Ssekitoleko is to be punished with guidance from the code of conduct.

“In this regard, Ssekitoleko being one of the athletes, breached this code, and his case will be duly handled in line with the due process, by the appropriate relevant organs within the rules and regulations of sport.”