Museveni rewards heroic Commonwealth team with houses, monthly stipend

What kind of a gift does one deserve for bringing honour and glory to a country?

Well, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni thinks that bequeathing his country’s athletes – the Gold Coast heroes and heroines – with beautiful homes is the perfect nostrum.

In a series of tweets on his official twitter handle, the domineering Head-of-State has promised to build houses for Joshua Cheptigei and Sheila Chesang who both bagged gold medals at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

A seemingly excited Museveni further promised to put all the five medalists – at Gold Coast 2018 – on a monthly salary depending on one’s medal won.

Likewise, I will build a house for Cheptegei and Chesang who won gold medals, like I have done for previous gold medalists. The other issues raised by the Sebei community will be attended to; the schools, safe water provision and construction of an airstrip to promote tourism. pic.twitter.com/moGu6sAoSa

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) April 22, 2018

The Gold Coast stars will also get a monthly salary of Ushs.5m (Ksh. 134,927.10) for gold winners,  Ushs 3m (Ksh. 80,956.26, silver) and Ushs.1m (Ksh 26,985.42) for bronze.

I made a promise that whoever wins a gold medal at an international competition would get a monthly salary of Shs5m, silver Shs3m and Shs1m for bronze. The 5 medalists today will get onto the payroll. I have also been told of some arrears to other athletes, they will be cleared. pic.twitter.com/BEfU6B0AQT

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) April 22, 2018

Coming with the goodies, is a pledge to better the sports infrastructure in the country, as the land-locked east African nation aim to rise from decades of under-achievement at global competitions.

In total, Uganda claimed six medals at the Games – three gold, silver and two bronze, challenging Kenya’s hitertho dominance on long distance. In fact, they beat Kenya in both men and women’s 10,000m and the men’s 5,000m.

The President also promised to review the taxes on sports equipment. Museveni’s handsome pledges are a stark contrast to Kenya where State promises  take months, at time years to be fulfilled.

Likewise, I will build a house for Cheptegei and Chesang who won gold medals, like I have done for previous gold medalists. The other issues raised by the Sebei community will be attended to; the schools, safe water provision and construction of an airstrip to promote tourism. pic.twitter.com/moGu6sAoSa

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) April 22, 2018

Cheptigei who won two gold medals was also promoted from a Police Constable to Inspector of Police in addition to a token of Ush 10 million.

Prior to the Commonwealth Games, Kenyan athletes had threatened not to honour the Games unless their outstanding bonuses and allowances were met, prompting President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene during a State House luncheon.

His terse warning, it seems, played a part as for the first time, the Commonwealth team got their bonuses on time.
Though for others, who competed at events, as early as 2010, the bonuses have not been forthcoming.