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Parliament has paid tribute to Rebecca Cheptegei, a long-distance runner and Uganda People’s Defence Force Sergeant, who tragically passed away after suffering severe burns from an arson attack by her partner on September 1 in Kenya.

Femicide: MPs honour Rebecca Cheptegei, call for action on GBV crisis | Pulse Uganda

Mzee Asingwire

The motion to honour Cheptegei’s legacy was presented by the State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang. He described her as a victim of gender-based violence (GBV) and condemned the cultural norms that often contribute to domestic violence. Ogwang highlighted that Cheptegei’s death stemmed from a property dispute and called on Ugandans to reject the notion that men are entitled to their wives' earnings.

“As an athlete, she won medals that enabled her to acquire property, yet some men still believe they control their wives' finances,” Ogwang remarked.

Read: <a href="https://www.pulse.ug/news/local/olympian-rebecca-cheptegeis-body-returns-from-kenya/e5tz77f">Photos: Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei’s body returns from Kenya</a>

Kayemba Ssolo, representing Bukomansimbi South County, seconded the motion and emphasised that Cheptegei’s death could have been avoided had Uganda provided better sports infrastructure. He pointed out that she had been training in Kenya due to the lack of adequate facilities in Uganda. "Her death should be a wake-up call to combat domestic violence and improve sports facilities for our athletes," he said.

Check: <a href="https://www.pulse.ug/news/local/dickson-ndiema-dies-moi-teaching-and-referral-hospital-days-after-rebecca-cheptegei/3h96hbc">Rebecca Cheptegei's ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema dies</a>

Oyam District Woman Representative, Santa Alum, praised Cheptegei’s patriotism, noting that despite training in Kenya, she always represented Uganda with pride. Alum proposed naming a stadium in honour of the late athlete.

Many lawmakers backed the motion, with the House unanimously condemning gender-based violence. Kaliro District Woman Representative, Brenda Namukuta, revealed that many female lawmakers, including herself, are silently enduring similar struggles. She shared that several women have approached her for advice on how she overcame such challenges. “As we honour Rebecca, we must act. We need to take GBV seriously and prioritise saving lives over protecting reputations,” she urged.

The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, called for increased support for GBV victims, encouraging them to speak openly about their experiences.

Read: <a href="https://www.pulse.ug/sports/athletics/ugandans-mourn-passing-of-athlete-rebecca-cheptegei/8xbj8fk">Ugandans mourn passing of athlete Rebecca Cheptegei</a>

The Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi, emphasised that GBV is not just a national issue but a global one, affecting both men and women. She noted that the ministry is working through cultural and religious institutions to address the socio-cultural practices that contribute to the subjugation of women.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who chaired the session, stressed the need for a united front in tackling GBV, underlining the importance of addressing the epidemic of violence that continues to claim lives worldwide.

Cheptegei’s death is the third high-profile case of a female athlete being killed by a current or former partner in Kenya, following the murders of Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop in 2021 and Bahraini athlete Damaris Mutua in 2022. These tragic events highlight the rising cases of GBV both globally and within Uganda.

Read: <a href="https://www.pulse.ug/news/kenya-promises-justice-for-rebecca-cheptegei/bcfbc0e">Kenyan government promises justice for Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei</a>

According to the United Nations, every 11 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by a partner or family member. Uganda's 2023 Police Annual Crime Report revealed that 14,681 GBV cases were reported, averaging 40 incidents daily. The report also highlighted the difficulty many victims face in seeking justice, with only a small percentage of cases reaching court and securing convictions.

Femicide: MPs honour Rebecca Cheptegei, call for action on GBV crisis

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