This Saturday, 7th May 2025, Athletics Uganda will host a grand celebration marking its 100th anniversary at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
The highlight of the festivities will be the annual Akii-Bua Memorial Invitational Meet, which kicks off at 8:00 AM and will feature elite athletes from Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.
The event honors the legacy of John Akii-Bua, Uganda’s legendary Olympian who made history at the 1972 Munich Games by winning gold in the men’s 400m hurdles in a world-record time of 47.82 seconds. This year’s edition has been elevated to a bronze-level competition, boasting a total prize purse of $50,000 for top performers.
A packed schedule of 10 events will include sprints, middle-distance races, and field disciplines such as long jump, javelin, and shot put. Races will span the 100m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, and 400m hurdles, with both male and female athletes competing.
The international field features top talent including Kenya’s Sarah Mora (800m) and Dorcus Chekwemoi (5000m), Eritrea’s Gebreham (1500m), South Sudan’s Ayub Choul (long jump) and Deng (100m), as well as Ethiopia’s Mora (5000m) and Saidi Agesa (800m). They will face stiff competition from Uganda’s finest, such as Harold Adoli (400m), Halima Nakaayi (800m), Musa Isabirye (100m), Dan Kibet (5000m), and Prisca Anena (discus throw), among others.
Nearly 190 athletes will take part in the day’s events, which will also include fun races for children and a corporate 4x100m relay. The action begins at 8:00 AM with a mass race, followed by a cultural performance and march led by the Uganda Police Band.
Beyond the competition, the celebrations will pay tribute to Uganda’s rich athletic heritage, with special recognition for Akii-Bua’s family and other past and present legends who have elevated the nation’s sporting profile. High-profile guests, including officials from Uganda Athletics, the Uganda Olympic Committee, the National Council of Sports (NCS), and government representatives, are expected to attend.
The day promises to be a fitting blend of elite competition and national pride, commemorating a century of Ugandan athletics excellence.
