Ugandan Olympic Athlete Mourned After Being Set on Fire by Boyfriend

A military funeral was held for Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympic athlete who died last week in Kenya after her boyfriend set her on fire, in a remote town near the Kenyan border. Thousands of mourners, including military officers, athletes, and family members, attended the funeral.

The funeral was a somber affair, with military officers playing a prominent role, as Cheptegei held the rank of sergeant in Uganda’s army. She was 33 years old and will be buried later on Saturday.

The attack, which occurred at her home in western Kenya’s Trans-Nzoia County on September 3, left her with 80% burns. Her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, sustained 30% burns and later succumbed to his injuries. According to a report filed by the local chief, the couple quarreled over a piece of land Cheptegei bought in Kenya.

The Attack and Its Impact

The horrific gasoline attack has shocked many and strengthened calls for the protection of female runners facing exploitation and abuse in the East African country. Cheptegei’s body was returned to Uganda on Friday, accompanied by a somber procession following a street march by dozens of activists in the western Kenyan town of Eldoret who demanded an end to physical violence against female athletes.

The attack has also highlighted Kenya’s high rates of violence against women, which has prompted several marches this year. Ugandan officials have condemned the attack, demanding justice for Cheptegei. First lady Janet Museveni, who also serves as Uganda’s education and sports minister, described the attack as "deeply disturbing."

The Impact on Athletics and Gender-Based Violence

This tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the athletics world and has raised concerns about the safety of female athletes in East Africa. According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, four in 10 women, or an estimated 41% of dating or married Kenyan women, have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their current or most recent partner.

Many Ugandan athletes train across the border in Kenya, an athletics powerhouse with better facilities. Some of the region’s best runners train together at a high-altitude center in Kenya’s west.

Conclusion

Rebecca Cheptegei’s death is a tragic reminder of the need for action to protect female athletes from gender-based violence. We mourn her loss and pray for her family and friends during this difficult time.