Uganda’s richest athletes
Jun 30, 2011
WHO is the richest Ugandan athlete? That’s the question many have been asking ever since Ugandan runners started reaping big from the lucrative international track and field circuit.
WHO is the richest Ugandan athlete? That’s the question many have been asking ever since Ugandan runners started reaping big from the lucrative international track and field circuit. James Bakama and Norman Katende did some research and below is the rich list of one of the country’s most popular sports.
Alex Malinga
Malinga is regarded as the father of athletics in the Bukwo region in Eastern Ugandan. Though his name rarely comes up for mention, he is believed to be the richest Ugandan athlete. The former national marathon record holder owns two schools in Bukwo. Peace Primary and Peace secondary schools jointly have close to a 1000 students.
Malinga is also one of the leading businessmen in Bukwo, supplying maize to both the western Kenyan town of Kitale and also Mbale, Kapchorwa and Soroti in Eastern Uganda. He also has a good bungalow and farms raring cattle and growing barley in Bukwo.
He is estimated to be worth about sh800m.
Moses Kipsiro
He is currently the biggest name in athletics in Uganda. His numerous medals from big international meets have won him a fortune. He recently revealed that his earnings from athletics have since 2007 annually averaged sh80m. His bungalow on one of Bukwo’s hills is a marvel. He has devoted 39 acres of land to maize and beans farms.
He also deals in produce besides having a commercial building in Bukwo town together with residential houses in Kapchorwa town. Kipsiro also has an eucalyptus forest of 2400 trees. He also has maize mills. “My next investments will be in Kampala. I want to concentrate in real estate, says Kipsiro, who recently earned close to sh50m for winning two Commonwealth Games gold medals. He also has plans of starting a resort next to his home in the Mt Elgon area. Until recently he also had a fleet of vehicles but sold most of them and remains with a Toyota double cabin and a lorry.
Estimated to be worth sh600m
Boniface Kiprop
One of the main reasons given for Boniface Kiprop’s failure to make a comeback is the vast time he has put to supervision of his numerous businesses in Uganda and Eastern Kenya. Apart from having several vehicles, Kiprop is also a dealer in produce. He is also into real estate. His farm has 50 cows and 150 goats. He also has produce stores and shops in Uganda and Kenya.
Estimated to be worth sh750m
Wilson Busienei
The former Ndejje star- who won triple gold at the 2007 World University athletics championships is believed to have investments in Kitale and Kapchorwa. But he is guarded when talking about his riches. He however stands out when it gets to helping fellow runners especially upcoming ones.
Estimated to be worth sh300m
Dorcus Inzikuru
She is said to have built a hostel in Arua and also bought a house in Kampala but due to family pressure, she might have sold off the buildings and only remained with the house the government built for her for winning gold at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki in 2005.
This four bed-roomed house in the posh Mvara area in Arua town overlooks West Nile Golf Club.
Estimated worth about sh300m
Benjamin Kiplagat
Besides a having a Honda, Kiplagat, like most athletes from Bukwo, is said to also own trucks that not only transport people but also produce in Eastern Uganda.
Estimated worth about Sh200m
Martin Toroitich
Apart from being a pastor he has also built a house and has a farm. He is not so much into business.
Estimated worth about Sh100m
Justine Bayigga
She might not have had as many international races as her male counterparts, but when it comes to investing Bayigga knows where to sow her dime. She last month completed her house plus 10 renting units in Kayunga town.
Estimated worth about sh70m
Others believed to have wisely invested their fortune include Geoffrey Kusuro, Isaac Kiprop, Ben Siwa, Paul Wakou among others. Catherine Webombesa is also building a house in Sironko.
Alex Malinga
Malinga is regarded as the father of athletics in the Bukwo region in Eastern Ugandan. Though his name rarely comes up for mention, he is believed to be the richest Ugandan athlete. The former national marathon record holder owns two schools in Bukwo. Peace Primary and Peace secondary schools jointly have close to a 1000 students.
Malinga is also one of the leading businessmen in Bukwo, supplying maize to both the western Kenyan town of Kitale and also Mbale, Kapchorwa and Soroti in Eastern Uganda. He also has a good bungalow and farms raring cattle and growing barley in Bukwo.
He is estimated to be worth about sh800m.
Moses Kipsiro
He is currently the biggest name in athletics in Uganda. His numerous medals from big international meets have won him a fortune. He recently revealed that his earnings from athletics have since 2007 annually averaged sh80m. His bungalow on one of Bukwo’s hills is a marvel. He has devoted 39 acres of land to maize and beans farms.
He also deals in produce besides having a commercial building in Bukwo town together with residential houses in Kapchorwa town. Kipsiro also has an eucalyptus forest of 2400 trees. He also has maize mills. “My next investments will be in Kampala. I want to concentrate in real estate, says Kipsiro, who recently earned close to sh50m for winning two Commonwealth Games gold medals. He also has plans of starting a resort next to his home in the Mt Elgon area. Until recently he also had a fleet of vehicles but sold most of them and remains with a Toyota double cabin and a lorry.
Estimated to be worth sh600m
Boniface Kiprop
One of the main reasons given for Boniface Kiprop’s failure to make a comeback is the vast time he has put to supervision of his numerous businesses in Uganda and Eastern Kenya. Apart from having several vehicles, Kiprop is also a dealer in produce. He is also into real estate. His farm has 50 cows and 150 goats. He also has produce stores and shops in Uganda and Kenya.
Estimated to be worth sh750m
Wilson Busienei
The former Ndejje star- who won triple gold at the 2007 World University athletics championships is believed to have investments in Kitale and Kapchorwa. But he is guarded when talking about his riches. He however stands out when it gets to helping fellow runners especially upcoming ones.
Estimated to be worth sh300m
Dorcus Inzikuru
She is said to have built a hostel in Arua and also bought a house in Kampala but due to family pressure, she might have sold off the buildings and only remained with the house the government built for her for winning gold at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki in 2005.
This four bed-roomed house in the posh Mvara area in Arua town overlooks West Nile Golf Club.
Estimated worth about sh300m
Benjamin Kiplagat
Besides a having a Honda, Kiplagat, like most athletes from Bukwo, is said to also own trucks that not only transport people but also produce in Eastern Uganda.
Estimated worth about Sh200m
Martin Toroitich
Apart from being a pastor he has also built a house and has a farm. He is not so much into business.
Estimated worth about Sh100m
Justine Bayigga
She might not have had as many international races as her male counterparts, but when it comes to investing Bayigga knows where to sow her dime. She last month completed her house plus 10 renting units in Kayunga town.
Estimated worth about sh70m
Others believed to have wisely invested their fortune include Geoffrey Kusuro, Isaac Kiprop, Ben Siwa, Paul Wakou among others. Catherine Webombesa is also building a house in Sironko.