The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni shakes hands with Uganda's gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei. Photo/PPU
The First Lady Janet Museveni and the Minister of Education and Sports officially welcomed and congratulated the six Ugandan medalists and the entire Ugandan team that participated in the Commonwealth games in Gold Coast, Australia.
They included boxers, swimmers, badminton and netball players among others.
Among them was Joshua Cheptegei, who excelled in the men's 5000 metres race winning a gold medal and another 10,000 meters race simultaneously, Stella Chesang won the women's race of 10000 metres, Mercyline Chelengat got Bronze in the women's race of 10000 metres and Juma Miiro won Bronze in boxing during the course of eleven days of various sports activities.
Overall, out of 71 countries that participated in the Commonwealth games, Uganda featured among the 43 medal winning countries, ranking the fourth followed by South Africa that appeared the sixth, Nigeria the 9th, Kenya the 14th among the African countries and the fifteenth in the world.
Mrs Museveni welcomed Team Uganda home with a lot of pride. "We are here to celebrate what you have done and we salute you for the great performance, you have opened the eyes of Ugandans to think and dream big because of what you have done for us this time round", she said.
She assured the jubilating team that ‘the government is committed to provide more and even better for sports sector'.
Government provided timely facilitation for the participants this time round. The government supported the 21st Commonwealth games 2018 to the tune of Shillings 3.1 billion
The State Minister for Sports Charles s Bakabulindi reported that Team Uganda exhibited maximum discipline during their stay in Australia.
He added that people in the diaspora have appreciated Uganda's steady progress in development "Ugandans showed their solidarity and the team was highly boosted, he said.
Uganda's 'Golden Boy' and hero, Joshua Cheptegei said he was overwhelmed by the athletes' performance. "Indeed we are Hero's. Uganda will win more medals", he optimistically said.
Team Uganda Manager Patrick thanked the government for funding the gallant team Uganda.
"Our team participated in eleven disciplines successfully and implemented the President's instructions during his briefing with words of encouragement at State House Entebbe on departure", he said.
