Bukwo, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympian who tragically lost her life after allegedly being set on fire by her former boyfriend in Kenya, was laid to rest at her ancestral home in Bukwo, eastern Uganda, on Saturday.
Cheptegei, who represented Uganda in the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 44th in the women’s marathon, was also a sergeant in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Her military colleagues paid tribute to her during the funeral with a ceremonial three-volley salute.
Prior to the burial, a special council session was held at Bukwo district headquarters, attended by hundreds of mourners.
Athletes, family members, local residents, government officials, and dignitaries came together to honor her memory.
Cheptegei suffered severe injuries, with 80 percent of her body covered in burns after being reportedly doused with gasoline by her partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach.
Her death has sparked widespread grief, with Ugandan Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang strongly condemning the rise in gender-based violence, particularly targeting female athletes.
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“Our female athletes face numerous challenges, including domestic violence and interference from spouses during training and competitions. Some husbands have even taken over coaching roles, preventing professional coaches from training their wives,” Ogwang said.
Cheptegei is fondly remembered for securing a gold medal at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships held in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
