Thomas Bach:

Olympic Committee president pledges to establish sports amenities in Uganda

kawowo.com, David Isabirye, October 23, 2024 | At a time when Uganda needs more sports infrastructure in place, there is a timely offer in place from the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach.

Bach made the bold promise on the second day of his three-day official visit to Uganda at Entebbe State House as he was hosted by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

“The International Olympic Committee is committed to construct an Olympic Center and a swimming pool for Uganda if land is provided before December 2024,” Bach remarked.

President Museveni vowed to help in the acquisition of the required land so that the offer comes to pass in the shortest time period.

“I will quickly assist in the necessary land to put up these facilities as promised by the International Olympic Committee,” said President Museveni, flanked by First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni, also the Minister of Education and Sports.

The 1976 Olympic gold medalist in Fencing arrived in Uganda on Tuesday, 22nd October 2024 and he was received by three of Uganda’s Olympians Joshua Cheptegei, Winnie Nanyondo and Halima Nakaayi as well as the IOC member William Fredrick Blick, Uganda Olympic Committee president Dr Donald Rukare, National Council of Sports (NCS) chairman Ambrose Tashobya, general secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel and other dignatries.

He had a guided tour at the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) where he had a great interface with Mountain Gorillas, giraffes, elephants and the White Rhinos.

At UWEC, he also planted a unique tree species called Warburgia ugandensis. (Mukuzannume) that is a highly medicinal plant.

Alongside his entourage, Bach was hosted to a cocktail at Speke Resort Munyonyo by the Athletes’ commission where former and current Olympians were invited for a friendly interface before dinner was served.

He held fruitful meetings with Prime Minister Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja and was entertained by young players under the Game Connect project at the YES Center in Nsambya, a suburb of Kampala city.