UGANDA: MWANARIADHA MAARUFU APATA SHAVU LA MASOMO CHUO KIKUU CHA MAKERERE

Makerere University council has offered Stephen Kiprotich and his wife Patricia Cherop a scholarship for any course they would like to take as a way of honouring the London 2012 Olympic Gold medallist.

Though Makerere University vice chancellor Prof. Ddumba Ssentamu had only announced a scholarship to Kiprotich any time he feels free, as long as he passes the minimum entry standard, when Kiprotich asked for the scholarship to be extended to his wife Cherop, the council approved unanimously.

“We are thanking him for the contribution. The wife has also been included on the offer. She can chose to either come to Makerere through the formal education programme or sit for the mature entry exams. It is a lifetime scholarship for the whole of their life,” explained university secretary David Kahundha Muhwezi, after the meeting.

Ddumba clarified that though Kiprotich had got the scholarship, the onus was on him to get the minimum entry.

“We have standards and I will want to make it clear that Kiprotich must first attain these standards,” Ddumba said.

Earlier, Kiprotich had picked a cheque of sh2m from the council chairman Wana Etyem, who said that the University does not have enough money but they have been able to get what they did to thank him for being role model.

Olympic gold medallist Stephen Kiprotich flanked by Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Ddumba Ssentamu and council chairman Wana Etyem, as he receives a dummy cheque of 2m shs from the University Council.

The scholarship from the university will be extended to Kiprotich's wife Cherop.

Kiprotich brought Uganda its first gold medal in 40 years, and only the second in its history when he claimed gold at the 2012 London Olympics.

Prof. Ddumba clarified that though Kiprotich had got the scholarship, the onus was on him to get the minimum entry required. UOC's Peninah Kabenge was also in attendance.

“As a child I grew up hearing about the big Makerere and my first time to step in Makerere was four months back during the national championships and on my second time, I am getting a scholarship." Kiprotich, now an assistant Superintendent of Prisons revealed.Source: The New Vision.