POLICE ON SPOT OVER OWN ATHLETIC OFFICERS

By Simon Turibamwe

The Uganda police force is under Public criticism for being the last to congratulate own officers who participated and made remarkable accomplishment at the World Cross-Country Championship 2019. The public wonders whether the police intended to be the last to congratulate Inspector of Police Joshua (IP) Cheptegei and his group since their role is to give the last response or that it was not necessary since they participated not for the police but for ministry of sports.

On Saturday evening, President Yoweri Museveni was the first to post messages on twitter and face book congratulating AIP Joshua Cheptegei for winning the World Cross-Country Championship and his fellow Jacob Kiplimo who became the second in Aarhus Denmark. “Congratulations to Joshua Cheptegei upon winning the Global Medal at the 2019 World Cross-Country Championship in Aarhus, Denmark today. I also congratulate Jacob Kiplimo who became the second in the same race. Uganda is proud of you,” President Museveni’s twitter message read. The second government official to congratulate the group was Janet Museveni the minister for Education and sports who twitted that: “Congratulations our athletics champions Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo upon winning the IAAF Senior world Cross-Country Championship in Aarhus, Denmark. In this race Uganda registered a 1-2 finish. We are so proud of you. May God continuously bless your efforts.” Surprisingly police which was expected to be the first to congratulate this group it had a number of participants in the game, was the last on Monday evening at exactly 2:49pm that police twitted a message and circulated a press statement to congratulate own officers. IP Cheptegei had 6 other officers including, IP Stella Chesang, SPC Chemutai Peruth, SPC Chepkwemoi Y. Esther, SPC Chekwurui J. Matthew, SPC Sylivia Chelengat and their Coach IP Njia Benjamin, are celebrated for their efforts that made Uganda shine at the World Cross Country, Championship, 2019. The press statement issued by Police spokesperson Fred Enanga read that: “The Police would like to join the rest of the country, to congratulate and applaud, Inspector of Police (IP) Joshua Cheptegei, for his remarkable accomplishment at the World Cross Country, Championship, 2019, in the Men’s Senior Category, in Aarhus, Denmark, on Saturday, 30^th March, 2019, where he earned a podium sport, by taking the first place and the Gold Medal, amongst over 146 competitors, in a very tough race he clocked in a time of 31 minutes and 40 seconds.” Enanga further said that Cheptegei’s discipline, drive and determination are behind his success at the World Stage to reach the highest level in sports, placing him in history books of Police, where he joins the legendary, SSP John Akii-Bua, who also made a mark at the World Stage. Social media fans attributed the Police delay on its usual late response with no excuse even when all platforms are provided. For Comments, call or text us on 0752510225.