Akii-Bua movie leaves Ugandans in tears, joy
L-R: UOC president, William Frederick Blick, Commander Special Forces, Brig. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, IGP Gen. Kale Kayihura, EU Ambassador Kristian Schmidt, British High Commissioner, H.E Alison Blackburne and Deputy Head of Mission German Embassy, Mr. Joachim Duster, cut a cake designed in the form of Olympic rings before screening of the Akii-Bua film. PHOTO BY EU PRESS
What you need to know:
Ugandan legend. Several local sportsmen joined foreign dignitaries and top security officials to watch John Akii-Bua’s movie at The Hub, Cineplex Oasis Mall, last Friday. The documentary was screened as part of the 2nd Euro African Kampala Film Festival organized by the European Union.
KAMPALA. Athletics legend John Akii-Bua could have died 18 years ago but the mention of his name still brings joy to many Ugandans.
Last Friday, Uganda’s retired Olympians, joined their active counterparts, sports administrators, foreign dignitaries and top security officials, to celebrate the life of Uganda’s first Olympic gold medalist through film.
The John Akii-Bua story: An African Tragedy, was showing at The Hub, Cineplex Oasis Mall as part of the 2nd European African Kampala Film Festival. The European Union organized the Friday event in conjunction with Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC).
“This is my third time to watch this movie. Every time I watch it, it touches my soul,” Uganda Olympians Association head, Ganzi Mugula, commented.
Like Ganzi, many at Cineplex, struggled to keep their emotions under check during the 90-minute show. Moses Musonge, a retired national sprinter, jumped out of his seat and cheered uncontrollably when the section covering the 1972 Olympics 400m hurdles final in which Akii-Bua won gold started showing. Almost everyone else joined him.
For a moment, it felt as if the cinema hall was the Olympic Stadium (Olympicstadion) where Akii-Bua became the first African to win gold in any race below 800m.
Some though couldn’t control their tears while watching Akii-Bua live like a pauper during exile in Kenya after he was forced to escape by President Idi Amin’s brutal rule. Akii-Bua’s situation worse when he returned home from exile. Those who only learnt of his plight from the movie were too disturbed. “It’s very sad that Akii-Bua, with all that he did for this country, died poor,” UOC president, William Blick, said.
Before watching the movie, everyone in attendance had a chance of viewing Akii-Bua and Stephen Kiprotich’s Olympic gold medals.
First Son and Commander of Special Forces, Brig Muhoozi Keinerugaba, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kale Kayihura, EU Ambassador H.E Kristian Schmidt, British High Commissioner, Alison Blackburne and Deputy Head of Mission German Embassy Joachim Duster, were some of the top dignitaries that graced the occasion.
“I hope these two great individuals (Akii-Bua and Kiprotich) will inspire us to win more medals,” Brig Muhoozi, the Olympians Association’s patron, said. The film festival ends on Saturday.
