“Give Us 50% of FUFA’s Budget and Watch Us Deliver More” – Otuchet Tells Government
David GOMBE
Uganda Athletics President Dominic Otuchet says Ugandan athletics would win even more world medals if government gave the federation just half of what is allocated to football.
Otuchet made the remarks as he questioned what he called an unfair comparison between athletics and football funding.
“When people say they have given athletics all the support and we have not performed, I think they are not being fair compared to what the government gives football and what it gives athletics,” Otuchet said.
“If you see the performance of athletics versus football and we are talking about world medals, I don’t see any in football but how much do they get. You see, it’s not a fair assessment really. Let them test us. Even if they gave us 50% of what is given to football the performance will change.”
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Uganda’s athletics team has delivered multiple World and Olympic medals over the years, including Stephen Kiprotich’s London 2012 marathon gold, Joshua Cheptegei’s triumphs at Major events, Kiplimo’s World Cross Country titles and Peruth Chemutai’s Olympic steeplechase gold.
Victor Kiplangat also excelled at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth games with a marathon gold. Dorcus Inzikuru’s 2005 Steeplechase world title and her 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth gold. Boniface Kiprop also clinched 10000m gold at the 2006 Melbourne games.
Budget Gap and MP Sensitization
Otuchet revealed that for this financial year, Uganda Athletics requires.Shs 10 billion for activities but has been informed they will receive Shs 3 billion from government.
“That’s not even 50% of what we require,” he said. “As the Federation we are going out to look for Sponsors who will cover the gap we have right now.”
He also said the federation will engage Parliament to change the narrative around sports funding.
“The orientation of Members of Parliament is slightly different and we as the federation we will reach out to them to let them know about athletics. Many members of Parliament talk about sports when they only know soccer. As the federation we want to let them know that it’s the track and athletics that has brought glory to this country.”
Otuchet recalled an incident after the London Olympics:
“I remember when we came back from the London Olympics with Stephen Kiprotich having won the gold and when we were in Parliament, one Member stood up and thanked FUFA for preparing Kiprotich and we were there in the lobby.”
With government pumping over Shs 508 billion into sports in FY 2025/26 and fully funding national football teams, Otuchet’s call adds to the debate on equitable funding across sports disciplines in Uganda.
Uganda Athletics now says it will chase private sponsors to bridge the Shs 7 billion shortfall as it prepares athletes for upcoming World Championships and the Olympics.