First Lady Janet Museveni Mourns Tragic Death of Rebecca Cheptegei

First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni has expressed her sorrow following the tragic death of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei. Cheptegei passed away on Thursday morning while receiving treatment for injuries sustained after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend.

In a statement shared on X, the First Lady said: "The news of our daughter, Rebecca Cheptegei's tragic death due to domestic violence is deeply disturbing."

She further conveyed her sympathies, stating: "My heartfelt condolences go out to the athletics community, her family, friends, and the entire nation on the loss of our Olympian. May her family find the strength to cope with this loss and may her soul rest in Eternal peace."

Cheptegei had been in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Kenya, where she was being treated for severe burns that affected 80% of her body.

Rebecca Cheptegei, a prominent figure in Ugandan athletics, competed in the recent Paris Olympics and secured a gold medal at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.