By 
The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) is celebrating a momentous milestone in 2025, 100 years of promoting athletics excellence in the country.
As part of this year-long centenary celebration, the Federation is gearing up to host the 31st Edition of the National Cross-Country Championships in Tororo, set to take place on Saturday, February 8th, 2025, at the scenic Tororo Golf Course.
This edition is particularly significant as it is both a celebration of UAF’s rich history and a showcase of the nation’s continued athletic prowess on the global stage.
The theme for this milestone year is “Celebrating and Sustaining Athletics Excellence,” and the cross-country event epitomizes this vision.
Cross-country running has been integral to Uganda’s success in international athletics, with the country’s athletes consistently ranking among the best in the world.
Currently, Uganda is ranked 3rd globally in cross-country running, following athletic powerhouses Kenya and Ethiopia.
This places Uganda in a strong position to continue producing top-tier talent, and the 2025 Championships in Tororo are expected to unearth new champions from among the competitors.
The event is also a crucial selection stage for the East African Cross-Country Championships (EAAR) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, later in February.
Moreover, it serves as a stepping stone for the 32nd edition of the National Cross-Country Championships, which will take place in Tororo on November 22nd, 2025.
This future championship will be a key qualifier for the World Cross-Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, in January 2026.
As Uganda Athletics Federation President, Mr. Dominic Otuchet, remarked, “We are excited about this event because, as I informed the country last time, we are geared up to celebrate 100 years of our existence as a national federation, from 1925 to today, 2025, 100 years.”
UAF President, Dominic Otuchet
Photo Credit : Daily Monitor.
He emphasized that the Federation’s journey has been one of growth and achievement, with Ugandan athletes boasting world records, gold medals in World Cross-Country events, and success at both Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.
“We are the only federation in Uganda, by the way, to provide gold medals in Olympic Games. Five of them, all from UAF as a federation,” he proudly stated.
The upcoming 31st edition of the National Cross-Country Championships is expected to showcase the best of Uganda’s emerging talent, with well-attended regional championships having already taken place in Kapchorwa, Kabarole, Arua, and Kabale.
These regional events have paved the way for the athletes who will compete in Tororo, making the event an exciting opportunity for fans to see fresh faces and potential future champions.
In recognition of the centenary, UAF is planning several initiatives throughout the year to highlight its legacy and promote continued success.
One of the major events will be the Aki Bua Memorial Championships, which will take place on June 1st, 2025, at Namboole Stadium.
Athletes having a rest after training at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
The Federation will also host a dinner to honour its legends, athletes, officials, and partners at a venue to be announced.
In his address, Mr. Otuchet also extended gratitude to UAF’s many supporters. “I want to commend our athletes for their excellent performance, and I want to thank our stakeholders, beginning with my colleagues, the members of the board, and the athletics federation for doing a good job.” He particularly acknowledged the invaluable role of the media in publicizing Ugandan athletics and thanked the Government of Uganda, including President Museveni, First Lady Mama Janet Museveni, and Minister of Sports Peter Ogwang, for their unwavering support of the Federation’s efforts.
UAF has also placed a strong emphasis on ensuring clean competition. The Federation has implemented strict anti-doping measures, including in-competition testing during the Tororo event.
Additionally, stringent registration protocols are in place to prevent age manipulation in the athletes’ ranks.
The Competitions Commission has introduced measures requiring athletes to provide national identification numbers, learner identification numbers, and photographs for verification.
This year’s event is an invitation for all Ugandans, both from Tororo and beyond, to witness the nation’s elite athletes in action.
With free entry to the golf course, residents from Tororo, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, and other surrounding regions are encouraged to come out and support the athletes.
The Federation is also urging athletes to bring their families and friends to enjoy the excitement of the Championships.
As Mr. Otuchet concluded, “We want to see the entire nation rally behind athletics and celebrate our outstanding athletes, as we continue to build on our legacy and inspire future generations.”
