Uganda athletics vows comeback after medal drought in Tokyo

Uganda’s athletics team endured a disappointing outing at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, failing to secure a single medal, a first in 14 years.

The last time Uganda returned empty-handed from a global athletics event was in 2011 at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Uganda Athletics Federation President Dominic Otucet acknowledged the setback during a media briefing held on Wednesday to welcome back the national team from Spain, where they had competed in the World Mountain Running Championships. That team delivered an impressive haul of nine medals: three gold, four silver, and two bronze.

“I know the country expected a lot from us, but it was a bad day at the office,” Otucet admitted. “We’re going back to the drawing board, and I assure you—we will bounce back stronger.”

Otucet attributed the poor performance in Tokyo to extreme weather conditions and the absence of Uganda’s top athletes, Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo. Their withdrawal, he said, placed additional pressure on the rest of the team.

“The heat and humidity in Tokyo, ranging from 80 to 90 degrees, was brutal,” Otucet explained, citing marathoners Victor Kiplagat and Steven Kiiza, who led for 37 kilometers before fading in the final stretch.

Despite the disappointment, Otucet remained optimistic. “Even without medals, we made headlines. But the truth is, there’s work to be done. I urge Ugandans not to lose hope—support us as we prepare to bounce back, just like we did after 2011.”

Looking ahead, Otucet said the federation’s focus has now shifted to the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the World Cross Country Championships. “Our athletes will rise again,” he said confidently.

He also congratulated the mountain running team for their stellar performance in Spain and pledged to review their success to improve preparations for future international competitions.