Uganda Olympic Committee treasurer dies on plane
The Treasurer of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), Godfrey Nuwagaba has died.
Nuwagaba, who was also treasurer of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) died in an Emirates Airline flight on Monday.
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"This is very sad news for the sports fraternity in Uganda," said William Blick, the UOC President.
Blick said they will hold a meeting at the UOC starting at midday to plan on arrangements to fly the body back home.
" 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 and Nuwagaba was already dead," Dominic Otuchet, President of the Athletics Federation said.
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," added Otuchet.
The Federation President explained that the Military attache at the Ugandan Embassy in Ethiopia has taken over the matter and will make sure a postmortem is carried out before arrangements are made fly the body back home. Nuwagaba was also a former national athlete participating in the long distance categories.
In a condolence message, Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) president, Moses Magogo said the sports fraternity has lost a big icon in Nuwagaba.
“The sports fraternity loses a big icon. Godfrey Nuwagaba has been a pillar in Athletics in this country helping many athletes and a key figure at the Uganda Olympic Committee where he was Treasurer. Nuwagaba passed on in Addis Ababa after developing complications mid air on his way to Dubai but the flight made a forced landing in Addis to save his life. Good effort by the Airline but that was the destiny of God. Inalilah wa inalilah Rajihun,” Magogo said
“My association with Justus Mugisha (FUFA 1st Vice President) his long time friend and business partner made me understand the administrator he was and i admired his work. We learn from this that good public works is what gets left of you when you go and anyone, anytime may go.God judge his earthly failures with mercy and Rest in Peace Godfrey,” he added.
Nuwagaba is credit for the raise of Olympics medalist Stephen Kiprotic, whom he personally fetched from nothing to world fame alongside the likes of; Moses Kipsiro and Boniface Kiprop.
Nuwagaba was a key factor in ensuring Kiprotich moved to Eldoret for further training before going on to beat Kenyans Wilson Kipsang and Abel Mutai to the the London Olympics medal in 2012.
By time of his death, Nuwagaba was one of Kiprotich’s managers.
