Joy at Kakungulu Memorial School-Kibuli as students welcome medalists

By Emmanuel Sekago

It was joy at Kakungulu memorial school -Kibuli and at the Entebbe international Airport as students flocked to welcome their medalists  from Cairo, Egypt.

The two young weightlifters and students at Kakungulu memorial school, Swaburah Mutesi and Dalton Tumukunde returned from the 2023 Africa Youth and Junior Weightlifting championships in Cairo city, Egypt and were officially welcomed by sheikh Rishsaad Ismail the incharge weightlifting sport at kakungulu memorial school -Kibuli.

These two youth weightlifters were driven in specially customized open roof cars whose motorcade was accompanied by the police lead car, joined by brass band at the heart of Kibuli town for a befitting arousing welcome that woke up many residents for a memorable march up to the school premises who hundreds of students partied with the victors with dance.

Dalton Tumukunde won 3 gold and 4 silver for a total of 7 medals in the 109+ Kg weight category while Mutesi collected a total of 4 medals;  gold in Snatch 67 Kgs and three silvers  in Clean and Jerk 77 Kgs for the youth as well as two silvers in the junior cluster in snatch plus clean and jerk.

Mutesi who couldn’t keep her tears rolling lauded the role of her mother Agnes Aliyinz for the encouragement and the supportive environment at Kakungulu Memorial School and her coaches
“Thanks to my mother for the support she has been rendering to me, the coaches for their effort and the education by Kakungulu Memorial school, ” said Mutesi.

Hajji Jamiru Buwembo the  head master of Kakungulu Memorial School  was overwhelmed by the achievements from the weightlifting team.

“We have only admitted the sport of weightlifting to the school and given 10 bursaries to the students as they train late evening after classes inside the school. As the school, we shall continue to promote wholesome education that also embraces sports. We are also doing well in Hockey, Handball and Football,” said Hajji Buwembo.
The momentous welcome party was planned and executed by Marathon Advertising whose Managing Director Vincent Kibirango hails the school head master for the trust.

“When we heard that two students from Kakungulu Memorial School had won on the continental level, we planned for a massive reception. We talked to the headmaster who embraced the arrangement” Kibirango, a guru in public relations noted.
Uganda Weightlifting Federation spokesperson  Isa Lutaaya Kanda emphasizes that they are now planning for upcoming events due in Mexico and Qatar.

“We are happy for the performance of Dalton Tumukunde  and Swaburah Mutesi in Egypt. As Weightlifting  federation, we have now set our focus  towards the next games in Mexico the World Juniors  come this month November 2023 and the Grand Prix in Qatar in December this year,”  said Lutaaya Kanda
Meanwhile, one needs to understand that Kakungulu Memorial School- Kibuli is the first secondary school in the country to embrace the Weightlifting sport in Uganda.