Uganda’s rising athletes risk futures by dropping out of School

Meghan (not her real name) is currently one of the most successful junior athletes in the country.

Her performances on the track have placed her among the brightest prospects in Ugandan athletics, drawing attention from coaches, fans, and officials alike. Yet behind the medals and promising future lies a troubling reality Meghan is a Primary Seven dropout.

Despite her success, Meghan never had the opportunity to continue her education. When encouraged to return to school, at least up to tertiary level, her response was hesitant and largely negative, shaped by the belief that athletics alone could secure her future.

Meghan’s story is not unique. Another junior athlete, referred to here as Boy (not his real name), followed a similar path. He dropped out of school to fully pursue athletics and, just like Meghan, he had no intention of returning to the classroom. For him, education feels unnecessary as long as running brings immediate rewards.

These two cases represent a growing concern within Ugandan athletics, young athletes forgoing education in pursuit of quick success on the track. While this trend threatens the long-term futures of the athletes themselves, it also poses a risk to the image of the federation.

Uganda Athletics (UA) vice president in charge of technical matters, Benjamin Njia, acknowledges the seriousness of the issue but attributes much of the problem to the growing attraction of money, especially after young athletes witness the success of stars such as Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei.

“We always tell them that not all of them can achieve what these two have achieved through athletics,” Njia said. “Some can achieve success through education. Having a dual career is what we are advocating for now. There is life after sports.”

To address the problem, Uganda Athletics has partnered with schools in Kween, Bukwo, and Kapchorwa. Through these partnerships, the federation runs training camps within both primary and secondary schools to ensure young athletes remain in the education system while developing their talent.

Njia further explained that the federation is actively promoting athletics within schools nationwide. “We are trying to promote athletics from primary to secondary level. Most of those who are not in school come from extremely underprivileged families. For some, it was too late to catch up academically. But those who were in moderate classes were taken back to school.”

For athletes who missed out on formal education, the federation is pushing for basic literacy. “We want them to be able to read and write at least,” Njia emphasized. “They should be able to interpret their air tickets and understand the contracts they are signing.”

He also warned that the allure of money earned by elite stars like Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei has distorted the mindset of young athletes.

“The future of those who refuse to go to school is not bright, even if it looks good at the start,” Njia said. “No manager will invite you if you cannot read a ticket. Your bargaining power is completely low when you are uneducated, no matter how talented you are.”

As Uganda continues to produce world-class runners, the challenge remains clear: success on the track must go hand in hand with education, or many promising careers risk ending before life truly begins.