Ugandan Olympic athlete who died after her partner set her on fire gets a military funeral

Last week, a horrifying incident occurred in Kenya where Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei tragically passed away after being set on fire by her partner. On Saturday, thousands of mourners attended her funeral in Uganda, paying their final respects to the unfortunate athlete.

Cheptegei's funeral, held in a remote town near the Kenyan border, was conducted with military honors. Brigadier Felix Kulayigye, the spokesperson for the Ugandan military, stated that Cheptegei, holding the rank of sergeant in the Ugandan army, was entitled to a "gun salute befitting her rank." At the stadium in Bukwo, athletes, family members, and others delivered eulogies before thousands, with many strongly condemning acts of domestic violence.

Bukwo District Commissioner, Ajelon B. Modesta, stated, "As a country, we are indeed going through a dark moment. We condemn in the strongest terms the cause of Rebecca's death... We should not continue beating women in this manner." Cheptegei, only 33 years old, was eventually laid to rest at her father's homestead. She died on September 3 after suffering 80% burns to her body from being doused with gasoline by Dickson Ndimap in her home in Trans-Nzoia County, western Kenya. Ndimap himself suffered 30% burns and later succumbed to his injuries.

According to reports submitted by local chiefs, the two had been arguing over a piece of land they had purchased in Kenya. This horrific gasoline attack has shocked many and amplified calls for the protection of female athletes in East African countries who face exploitation and abuse. Cheptegei's body was transported back to Uganda on Friday, following street protests by dozens of activists in the western Kenyan town of Eldoret, demanding an end to violence against female athletes.

Worryingly, Cheptegei is the fourth female athlete in Kenya to be killed by a partner in recent years, highlighting the severity of gender-based violence in the region. Kenya has a high rate of violence against women, which has sparked numerous protests this year. Ugandan officials have condemned the attack and demanded justice for Cheptegei. Uganda's First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, called the attack "deeply disturbing." Don Rukare, chairman of the Uganda National Council of Sports, issued a statement on X, calling the attack a "cowardly and senseless act that led to the demise of a great athlete."

According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, approximately 41% of women in Kenya who are dating or married have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or recent partner. Many Ugandan athletes train in Kenya, a powerhouse in athletics with better facilities. Some of the region's top runners train together in a high-altitude center in western Kenya. Cheptegei participated in the women's marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing 44th, less than a month before the attack. She had also represented Uganda in other competitions.

If needed, help can be sought by calling the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).