UOC treasurer Nuwagaba dies aboard Emirates flight

The treasurer of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), Godfrey Nuwagaba has died.

Nuwagaba, who was also treasurer of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) died on an Emirates Airlines flight on Monday.

 "This is very sad news for the sports fraternity in Uganda," Mr  William Blick, the UOC President.

"He was flying together with his wife and one of the children before he reportedly developed complications while on board. The plane made an emergency landing in Addis Ababa but Nuwagaba was already dead," Dominic Otuchet, the President of the Athletics Federation said on Tuesday.

Mr Otuchet said Nuwagaba who has also been the local manager for top athlete Stephen Kiprotich had never complained of any health challenges.

" This is very sad news for the family and the sporting community in this country," he said.

Mr Otuchet said Uganda’s Military Attache at the Ugandan Embassy in Ethiopia has taken over the matter and will make sure a post-mortem is carried out before arrangements are made to fly the body back home.

Nuwagaba is a former national athlete who used to participate in long distance races.