There is only one word that may be used to appropriately describe Uganda’s Olympic “Golden Boy” Stephen Kiprotich, humble. By his own admission, the only thing that was on his mind as he run the Olympics 2012 Marathon was to earn himself recognition and that he did, rather handsomely.
Henceforth, things have been moving rather rapidly. The hitherto tightly shut doors have been abruptly flinging open with no end in sight, promotions that would have taken an entire lifetime have been achieved overnight, and the childhood dream of studying at the great Makerere is now a firmly established reality.
On Thursday 11th October 2012 at a sitting of the Makerere University Council, ASP Stephen Kiprotich alongside Ms. Peninah Kabenge, Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Secretary General and his Manager was welcomed to Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu and congratulated upon winning gold and doing his nation proud. Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu then announced the University’s offer to grant him a Full Scholarship, to study any course he desired, tenable at any time, on fulfillment of the Makerere University basic entry requirements.
The Chairperson Council Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem praised ASP Kiprotich for giving Uganda an early Independence Golden Jubilee prize and breaking the Nation’s 40 year wait for an Olympic Gold medal. He thanked his Manager, Coach and the UOC for ensuring that Kiprotich remained focused, even when all Uganda’s medal hopes seemed to have been lost.
Mr. David Kahundha Muhwezi the University Secretary and Secretary to Council then invited Kiprotich to receive a dummy cheque worth UGX 2million and thereafter give his remarks.
In his acceptance speech, ASP Kiprotich thanked Makerere University for recognizing his contribution and prayed that the same offer also be extended to his wife Ms. Esther Chebet, a request the University Council pledged to consider through the appropriate academic and decision-making channels.