What Ugandan athletes will earn for podium finishes at the Paris Olympics

Uganda has upped the ante for its athletes competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics offering significant financial rewards for those who bring home medals.

The announcement came during a visit by Sports Minister Peter Ogwang to the Team Uganda camp in the Games’ Village.

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala feels the Ksh5 million boost from Tusker will play a huge part in his bid to secure an Olympics medal in Paris.

Engaging with athletes and team officials for over two hours Ogwang unveiled the lucrative reward scheme set for the upcoming games.

«The winner of the gold medal at these Olympic Games will get Shs100m (Ksh 3.4million). Previously, if you remember the tournaments in Birmingham, the winner got Ugshs50m (Ksh 1.7million),» stated Ogwang as per

The enhanced reward scheme does not just stop at gold medals.

The former world champion has explained how the fear of poverty after retirement pushed him to pursue education despite earning millions during his prime.

Silver medalists will now receive Shs50m (Ksh 1.7million), a substantial rise from the Shs30m (Ksh 1.4m) awarded during the last Commonwealth Games.

Bronze medalists are not left out, with their prize being set at UgShs30m (Ksh 1.04million), up from Ugsh Shs10m (Ksh 348,000).

The move is seen as a response to the achievements of Ugandan athletes who have excelled in recent international competitions.

Find out the time athletes from across the globe compete as Kenyan athletes gear up for Paris 2024 Olympics, with athletics events set from August 1-11.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Uganda’s representatives, including standout performers like Peruth Chemutai, Joshua Cheptegei, and Jacob Kiplimo, collectively brought home four medals, enhancing the country’s reputation on the global sports map.

“Gone are the days when sports used to be seen as leisure. Today, sports are a source of income, a source of employment. That’s why now you see the Kiplimos, Cheptegeis. They no longer run for leisure so that’s why,» Ogwang added.

Beyond the immediate rewards, the Ugandan government is also addressing the athletes’ long-term welfare.

Kevin Kipkorir had travelled to the Miramas training camp to join Paris Olympics-bound athletes but his Olympic dream has now hit a dead end and he will be travelling back to Kenya on Saturday.

Concerns about unpaid stipends have been vocal among the athletes, prompting a recent government pledge to clear the backlog.

“It is true we have been having a backlog of a stipend which we thought it wise that as a ministry responsible. Recently we had a meeting with Mama (Education and Sports Minister First Lady Janet Museveni) and a team from finance and I want to confirm that the senior minister has written, asking for additional resources so that we deal with handling the matters of stipends. We clear the backlog so that our children are happy,” Ogwang explained.

The announcement of these financial rewards comes as Uganda prepares for the upcoming events in Paris, with high hopes pinned on the 22 athletes representing the nation.

The trio of Mary Moraa, Lilian Odira, and Vivian Chebet will be out to reclaim Kenya's gold medal won at the 2008 Beijing Olympics courtesy of Pamela Jelimo.

The spotlight is particularly bright on the men’s 10000m final, where Cheptegei aims to capture gold at the Stade de France, supported by Kiplimo and newcomer Martin Kiprotich.

Moreover, the commissioning of the Teryet High Altitude Centre in Kapchorwa on September 7 is set to further boost the training facilities available to Ugandan athletes, solidifying the country’s commitment to fostering sporting excellence.

This comprehensive approach—combining immediate financial incentives with long-term developmental investments—illustrates Uganda’s strategic push to become a formidable force in the international sports arena.

Follow us on for more updates