Bugema’s Tenywa wants to emulate Cheptegei at FISU Games

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Uganda’s world record holder Joshua Cheptegei has served as an inspiration to many athletes since his rise to prominence at the World University Cross Country Championship in Entebbe in 2014.

Cheptegei won the 10km race, showcasing his potential early in his career before going on to dominate the global stage with multiple records in track and field.

Now, his fellow alumnus from Bugema University, Edreen Tenywa, hopes to draw similar inspiration from Cheptegei as he prepares for the Rhine-Ruhr World University Games in Germany, scheduled for July 16–27.

The 22-year-old second-year IT student at Bugema University will represent Uganda in the 800m and 1500m track events.

“I want to fight hard and win a medal for the country. Cheptegei, an OB of Bugema University, has always inspired me and urged me to work hard,” Tenywa said.

“He always offered words of wisdom, which energised me to ensure I continued working hard. But I also had an eye on Ronald Musagala because that was the time he had just broken the 800m national record, and I thought I could be like him.”

“When I progressed, I came across Cheptegei, who has been an inspiration. And my prayer is that I can be like him. I aim to win medals for the country,” Tenywa added.

His biggest career achievement so far has been winning bronze in the 800m race at last year’s East African University Games held at Maseno University. He also boasts a personal best of 3:50 in the 1500m event.

Tenywa began competing at the national level while in Primary Three at Sunrise Nursery and Primary School in Kaliro, where he performed well up to the district level. He continued to compete in secondary school events in Soroti and Lira.

Initially a footballer at St Gonzaga Gonza in Kagoma, he later transferred to Nampogwe Church of God in Wakiso, where he began focusing more seriously on athletics in Senior Three, and he has never looked back.