The government of Uganda together with the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) last week sent its first batch of athletes to Japan for the Tokyo Olympics.
Five athletes in the company of four officials arrived at Tokyo’s Narita Airport on Saturday night but boxing coach Patrick Lihanda was detained after returning a positive coronavirus result.
Then on Wednesday after eight others had arrived at a hotel in Izumisano, one more case was reported.
“The member is asymptomatic and being looked after by the health authorities in Izumisano city,” said Chef de mission Beatrice Ayikoru in a statement.
Now the group, according to local authorities, will be quarantined until July 3.
Yet, the quintet of weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko and boxing trio of Catherine Nanziri, David Semujju and Shadir Musa as well as swimmer Atuhaire Ambale had travelled early to acclimatize before the Games.
“The rest of the team is well and continue to acclimatize in Izumisano. We remain firmly committed and focused on ensuring the safety and wellness of our team and working together with all relevant authorities,” added Ayikoru.
Lihanda meanwhile remained in Tokyo and he was visited by members of the Ugandan Embassy in Japan this week.
Uganda is in pursuit of its eighth Olympic medal. The country has won four medals in boxing and three from athletics, the latest being Stephen Kiprotich’s marathon gold at the London 2012 Games.
UGANDA’S FIRST BATCH TO TOKYO
ATHLETES: Atuhaire Ambale, David Semujju, Catherine Nanziri, Shadir Musa, Julius Ssekitoleko
OFFICIALS: Patrick Lihanda, Hassan Mulandi, Hakim Ssempereza, David Katende, Shiya Kenichi
UGANDA’S MEDALS AT OLYMPICS
1968 Mexico City: Eridadi Mukwanga (Bantamweight Silver)
1968 Mexico City: Leo Rwabwogo (Flyweight Bronze)
1972 Munich: John Akii-Bua (400m Hurdles Gold)
1972 Munich: Leo Rwabwogo (Flyweight Silver)
1980 Moscow: John Mugabi (Welterweight Silver)
1996 Atlanta: Davis Kamoga (400m Bronze)
2012 London: Stephen Kiprotich (Marathon Gold)
This writer is a global broadcaster and as well, a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and sports presenter with Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune