Uganda takes first strides toward reviving sprinting legacy at ANOCA Games

Uganda's legacy in short sprints and quarter-mile races once gleamed with the brilliance of icons like John Akii-Bua, Davis Kamoga, and Grace Birungi.

These trailblazers carried the Ugandan flag to global heights, etching their names—and the country’s—into track and field history. Yet for more than 15 years, Uganda has remained absent from the international sprint podium, its once-vibrant tradition dimmed.

At the ongoing ANOCA School Games in Algeria, Uganda made a bold stride toward revitalizing that legacy, fielding six athletes across middle- and short-distance events. Among the sprint contingent were Rashad Atuyambe (400m), Abraham Muhwezi (100m & 200m), and Kizito Loput (1500m), representing middle-distance efforts.

All three sprinters bowed out at the semi-final stage, each placing sixth in their respective heats. While the results might seem underwhelming on paper, national athletics coach and former youth 400m record holder Justine Bayiga remains optimistic.

“I encouraged the boys to focus on personal bests, even if they didn’t reach the finals—and that’s exactly what they did,” said Bayiga.

The progress was clear: Muhwezi, who clocked 24.00 seconds in the national trials, improved to 23.96 seconds in his 200m semi-final. Atuyambe shaved over three seconds off his previous best in the 400m, dropping from 57.00 to 53.75 seconds—a significant leap.

Still, Bayiga cautions that personal milestones alone won’t reignite Uganda’s sprinting dominance.

“Our sprinters today lack the hunger we had. It’s concerning to see one athlete holding five records across two events—it shows how low the competitive drive has sunk,” he noted.

Uganda’s Chief of Mission to Algeria, Lydia Dhamuzungu, emphasized that merely showing up is an essential first step.

“Having Ugandan sprinters on the ANOCA stage is already a major leap forward. We've lacked representation in these events for years. This exposure is the foundation they need to grow,” she said.

As the games progress, Uganda has claimed two medals so far—a silver in the 3000m and a bronze in 3x3 basketball. Although the sprint team came up short on medals, their participation sparked an overdue dialogue about training, investment, and talent development. It’s a conversation Uganda must continue if it’s serious about reclaiming its sprinting legacy.