Ugandan Olympic Athlete Dies from Severe Burns in Land Dispute Incident

Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympic athlete, has tragically passed away at the age of 33 after suffering severe injuries from an attack by her partner. The incident left 80% of her body burned, and she was being treated at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, where she succumbed to her injuries.

On Thursday, hospital spokesperson Owen Menach confirmed that Cheptegei died early in the morning after her body organs failed. Upon admission, she had been fully sedated due to the severity of her burns and required intensive care.

Cheptegei had recently competed in the women’s marathon during the Paris Olympics, finishing in 44th place just weeks before the horrific incident that altered her family’s life forever.

Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed his grief and described his daughter as “very supportive.” He voiced a deep desire for justice following her tragic death.

According to Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom, Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, had engaged in a heated argument with her before the attack on Sunday. During this confrontation, he reportedly doused her with gasoline before setting her on fire. In a grim turn of events, Ndiema also sustained burns and was treated at the same hospital as Cheptegei.

Menach shared that Ndiema was currently admitted to the intensive care unit with burns covering 30% of his body. Fortunately, he is reportedly stable and improving.

Cheptegei’s parents mentioned that their daughter had recently purchased land in Trans Nzoia, intending to stay close to the county’s athletic training centers. Prior to the attack, a local chief’s report indicated that the couple was involved in a dispute regarding the property on which her house was constructed, which may have sparked the violence.

The Uganda Athletics Federation took to the social media platform X to mourn Cheptegei, stating, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.”

Furthermore, Donald Rukare, President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, condemned the attack as “a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete.”

This incident highlights a troubling trend of violence against female athletes in the region. Earlier this year, Olympic runner Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead with stab wounds, raising concern about the safety of athletes. In 2022, Damaris Muthee, a Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete, was discovered dead with evidence suggesting she had been strangled. The previous year, Agnes Tirop, a celebrated long-distance runner, was murdered at her home, with her husband currently facing murder charges in an ongoing case.

The somber reality of domestic violence against women, particularly those in the public eye, continues to be a pressing issue that needs urgent address. Cheptegei’s untimely death is a painful reminder of the need for awareness and action against such heinous acts.

As her family mourns her loss, they hold onto the hope for justice and change in the landscape of athlete safety and domestic violence awareness.