Reviewed by Michael AinomugishaUganda sports betting writer
Published 25 September 2026
Joshua Cheptegei has said athletics in Uganda is underfunded, in remarks made at the Uganda Athletics ceremony to receive the team back from the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen and published by the federation on 24 September.
Cheptegei took bronze in the men’s half marathon in Copenhagen on 20 September in 58:26. Andreas Almgren of Sweden won in 58:06 and Nicholas Kipkorir of Kenya was second in 58:11.
What Cheptegei said
“No doubt, athletics is Uganda’s golden sport that continues to win us medals in world competitions. It’s unfortunate it’s under funded and yet government and Ugandans expect too much from the sport,” he said. He added: “Imagine Uganda expecting medals but you can’t fund team residential training preparations for this championships.”
He has also said: “We need to invest more in athletics. Timely financial and logistical support is very important if our athletes are to prepare adequately and compete effectively at the highest level.”
The team that went to Copenhagen
Sixteen Ugandan athletes competed at the championships, across the one mile, the 5km and the half marathon. Keneth Kiprop finished fifth in the men’s 5km in 13:04.
Funding decides which athletes get a camp and which travel straight from home, and that is the part of a season nobody outside the federation sees until the results are in.
Where to bet: Fortebet and Betway take Ugandan bets on athletics, both licensed by the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board, with deposits by MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money and prices in shillings. Road running is a thin market here: the big championships are priced on outright winner and head to head matchups and little else, so the two books can be far apart on the same field. Compare them before you stake. Our guide to the best betting sites in Uganda covers licensing and withdrawal times, and there is more in Uganda athletics news from AXN Sports. 25+. Gamble responsibly.
