Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei To Be Laid To Rest In Uganda

Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, a prominent figure in Uganda’s athletics community, will be buried today in her hometown of Bukwo following a tragic incident that has shocked the East African region.

The 33-year-old athlete, who made her debut in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics this summer, died earlier this month as a result of severe burns inflicted by her partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach.

The brutal assault on Rebecca Cheptegei occurred on September 1 in Endebess, a town near the Kenya-Uganda border. Marangach, 32, reportedly entered Ms. Cheptegei’s home and attacked her after a heated argument over property ownership. The situation escalated to the point where Marangach set her on fire, causing injuries that ultimately led to her death.

The violent nature of the attack on Rebecca Cheptegei has drawn widespread condemnation and has sparked a global outpouring of tributes. Activists and officials alike have denounced the incident as another egregious example of gender-based violence (GBV) in the region.

This case has become a focal point in ongoing discussions about the prevalence of femicide and domestic abuse in East Africa. The tragic death of Ms. Rebecca Cheptegei highlights the urgent need for stronger protections for women and greater efforts to combat violence against them.

As Ms. Rebecca Cheptegei’s body crossed the Kenya-Uganda border late yesterday afternoon, the sombre mood reflected in the rain that fell over the area. Her final resting place will be in Bukwo, a village located approximately 380 kilometres northeast of Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

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The funeral is expected to draw a significant number of mourners, including fellow athletes, family members, and community leaders. Rebecca Cheptegei will be honoured with military rites, reflecting her service as a sergeant in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces.

Beatrice Ayikoru, Secretary General of Uganda’s Olympics Committee, confirmed that the ceremony would pay tribute to her contributions both as an athlete and a member of the military.

Simon Ayeko, Ms. Rebecca Cheptegei’s estranged husband and the father of her two daughters, has expressed profound grief over her death. He has struggled to come to terms with the loss and has not yet found the courage to break the news to their children. “We are extremely saddened,” Ayeko said, acknowledging the difficulty of navigating such a painful situation. Ms. Rebecca Cheptegei’s daughters, who were reportedly present during the attack, remain under the care of family members as her loved ones grapple with the tragedy.

The impact of Ms. Rebecca Cheptegei’s death extends beyond her immediate circle. Her former coach, Alex Malinga, remembered her as a dedicated athlete who greatly contributed to the promotion of athletics in Uganda. “She greatly contributed to the promotion of athletics until her last days,” Malinga said, reflecting on her career and the loss felt by the sports community. Fellow athletes have travelled to Bukwo to pay their respects, underscoring the significant role she played in Uganda’s athletics.

This latest tragedy has thrown a spotlight on the broader issue of gender-based violence in East Africa. Activists have long been calling for more effective measures to protect women and address the root causes of violence.

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According to UN figures, Kenya reported 725 femicide cases in 2022 alone, and a subsequent report by Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics found that 34% of women had experienced physical violence since the age of 15.

The deaths of other athletes, such as Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, have further highlighted the urgency of addressing domestic violence. Tirop, a celebrated Kenyan runner, was murdered by her partner in 2021, while Mutua, a dual Kenyan-Bahraini athlete, was also killed in early 2022.

The horrific assault on Rebecca Cheptegei serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence and femicide in the region. As Uganda prepares to lay one of its brightest stars to rest, the call for justice and systemic change grows louder.

Advocates are urging for stronger legal protections, better enforcement of existing laws, and comprehensive support for survivors of domestic abuse. The hope is that through increased awareness and action, future tragedies can be prevented, and the safety and dignity of women can be upheld.