Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee President arrives in Uganda for a two-day visit

23 October 2024, 11:06 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach, decided to start his visit to various countries of Africa this month. Yesterday, Bach touched down at Entebbe International Airport and was welcomed by the minister of state for education and sports, in charge of sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang together with the president of Uganda Olympic Committee, Donald Rukare, Olympic Champion Joshua Cheptegei, and Olympians Winnie Nanyondo, Halimah Nakaayi among others.

Thomas Bach was happy for having arrived in Uganda and made some remarks. “We see here great athletes and a great National Committee that leads in issues of governance and support of athletes and when it comes to social responsibility they are among our best partners in the work for refugees and are much engaged in sustainability issues.” he said. Bach commenced his visit in Senegal which will host the first ever fourth summer Youth Olympic event in Africa in 2026. His coming to Uganda, comes as part of his broader tour of African countries, which includes Senegal, South Africa, Lesotho, Uganda and Rwanda.

According to Bach, the goal of International Olympics Committee is to level national Olympic committees and they are doing so with a program called Olympic Solidarity. Thomas Bach aged 79, became the ninth president of the International Olympic Committee in 2013, and was the first ever Olympic champion to be elected to that position. Bach is a former German individual foil champion and former member of German Olympic Sports Confederation executive Board.

The International Olympic Committee is the International, nongovernmental, sports governing body of the modern Olympic games founded in 1894. It is base in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is responsible for organizing the Summer, Winter and Youth Olympic games which are hosted in different chosen countries.

The Secretary General of Dance Sport Federation in Uganda, Ssebuyungo Barnabas joined other leaders to welcome Bach to Uganda. “As Dance Sport Federation, we are thankful for the coming of IOC President, Thomas Bach. We believe that after realizing this sport, it will be developed in terms of infrastructure, using the Olympic Solidarity program. We wish him a great stay in Uganda.” he said. The secretary general also confirmed that in East Africa, Dance Sport is practiced in Uganda only so there is a need to prioritize it such that young people who take part in this sport, gain much. Dance sport featured in the recent Olympic games and Uganda was represented.

The International Olympic President, Upon his arrival at Entebbe International airport, was taken to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) to have a look at the Pearl of Africa’s wild animals and was able to feed some of the animals he saw. Today, the president is going to meet the Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja and then have a chat with the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni at State House. His visit will end tomorrow. Bach’s term is ending next year and he won’t stand again for another term.