By James Robert Kayindi
The Uganda National Athletics team captain Moses Kipsiro has pulled out of the World Cross Country championships that are due in Guiyang, China on Saturday at the 11th hour following threats on his life.
After attending the serious training sessions with the rest of the team in Kapchorwa, Kipsiro travelled back to Kampala with the team for their flagging off but jumped off the bus at Bweyogerere on their way to Lugogo.
The iconic athlete missed the flagging off which was witnessed by the Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi before returning after the press conference to sign his US$300 training allowance and upkeep while in China.
Kipsiro pulled out claiming that his life and family were under threat from an unknown party after receiving a life threatening message on his phone that he showed to his bosses who seemed not be bothered by the issue. He is now set to meet the Inspector General of Police (IGP) General Kale Kayihura over the matter.
The Uganda Athletics Federation is however disappointed over his behavior since this wasn’t the first time the athlete to pulled out in such a manner. It’s said that he pulled out of the World Road Running Championships back in April.
“We are so disappointed. We have tried all we can. Denying other athletes a chance to compete when you know you are not travelling is bad,” Beatrice Ayikoru, Uganda Athletics Federation general secretary told the New Vision.
Email Robert: Robert.k.circles@gmail.com
