It’s the scandal of the month in Uganda, shaking the country to its core and prompting authorities to take action. The issue revolves around a moral crisis that has engulfed Ugandan athletics, involving allegations of harassment and sexual abuse.
The controversy began with a complaint filed by female athletes alleging sexual harassment by a national coach during their preparation for the African Cross-Country Championships. According to reports from the Daily Monitor, these athletes endured a month-long training camp where they were subjected to nocturnal visits from the coach, who allegedly demanded sexual favors.
Initially kept quiet, the complaint gained public attention after Moses Kispiro, a prominent Ugandan athlete and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, publicly expressed shock and shame over the allegations. The coach in question purportedly told some athletes that engaging in sexual activity or becoming mothers was necessary to improve their performance.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) downplayed the issue, dismissing the allegations as false. In a controversial move, they removed Moses Kispiro from the national team during the World Half-Marathon Championships as punishment for speaking out against the coach.
However, the authorities have stepped in to address the situation. Parliament has initiated an investigation, and a Ugandan government official confirmed that the coach has been suspended pending further inquiry.
This scandal highlights the complex power dynamics between athletes and coaches in sports, shedding light on broader moral issues within the realm of athletics in Uganda and beyond.
Tags: sexual abuse, East Africa, athletics, Beatrice Ayikoru, Uganda Athletics Federation, harassment, Moses Kispiro, scandal
