Kiprotich gets yet another promotion

By Petride Mudoola                    

Success is the reward for success and it’s no wonder that Uganda gold medalist Stephen Kiprotich has been promoted.

Uganda Prisons Services has promoted the World Champion and Olympic gold medalist to the rank of Superintendent of Prisons, a befitting rank for a man that has made Uganda proud.

Kiprotich becomes the first prison officer in the history of UPS to receive simultaneous promotions in recognition of his excellent performance in sports. 

In 2012, the London Olympics Marathon gold medalist was elevated from the rank of Prison Warder to that of Assistant Superintendent of Prisons in recognition of his stellar performance at the games.

The marathoner receives the second promotion in recognition of his wonderful performance when he added the World marathon gold medal to his Olympic tittle. Kiprotich beat all to win a second gold in the marathon of the World Athletics Championships in Moscow last year.

The Commissioner General of Prisons Dr Johnson Byabashaija said that the runner’s promotion is in line with the prison service policy of recognizing its excellent sportsmen and women. 

Kiprotich’s promotion was derived from the 8th meeting of the prison’s Authority held on 24th January 2014 where the top management was holed up in a meeting to plan on how to reward the double gold medalist.

“For this outstanding achievement of being a double world champion, the second man in the world to hold those two championships was duly promoted from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Prisons to the rank of Superintendent of prisons” Byabashaija said.
 

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Commissioner General of Prisons Johnson Byabashaija salutes Kiprotich soon after he was decorated last year. PHOTO/Petride Mudoola

According to the Prison’s Chief, Kiprotich is expected to undergo two courses in order to qualify for the rank of Superintendent of prisons.

“When he eventually finishes his running career, Kiprotich is expected to undertake a senior staff commander’s course recommended for an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons and Superintendent course attainable at the Malaysian Correctional Academy,” Byabashaija stated.

Subsequent to his exceptional performance, Kiprotich expects a horde of rewards including a higher salary than he has been getting. Byabashaija however, could not mention the amount he will be earning.

Kiprotich can now command a medium security prison but not a high security or maximum prison. That rank entitles him to command a medium security prison like Nakasongola Prison, Jinja Remand Prison and Kampala Remand Prison.

As a Superintendent of Prisons, Kiprotich can take up the position of a District Prison’s commander in several small prisons. In the Officer’s Mess, he is expected to sit one step closer to the center.

UPS has not only promoted Kiprotich but a number of its sportsmen and women have been elevated for their excellent performance.

In 2012, Philip Kiplimo was elevated from prison warder to corporal having won the national championships. 

Similarly in March 2013, Jackson Kiprop was also elevated from corporal warder to Chief Warder 3 officer after winning the Mumbai Marathon.

Philip Kiplimo, Stephen Kiprotich and Jackson Kiprop are all athletics of Uganda Prison Services attached to the Prison’s Training school and Staff College.