Rebecca Cheptegei Honored with Military Funeral

Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei was given a military funeral on September 14 in her hometown of Bukwo after being killed by her former partner, Dickson Ndiema, in a brutal attack where she was set on fire. Cheptegei, who held the rank of sergeant in Uganda's army, received full military honors, including a gun salute. The attack, over a land dispute, resulted in Cheptegei suffering burns to 80% of her body, leading to her death four days later. Ndiema also died from his injuries sustained during the attack. The incident has intensified calls for the protection of female athletes and highlighted the alarming rates of gender-based violence in Kenya. Thousands of mourners, including athletes and officials, attended the funeral, and Ugandan officials have strongly condemned the attack, with calls for justice and measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.