John Akii-Bua
 John Akii-Bua c. 1972 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 3 December 1949 Lira, Uganda | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 20 June 1997 (aged 47) Kampala, Uganda | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 77 kg (170 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 400 m, 400 m hurdles | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 400 m – 45.82 (1976) 400 mH – 47.82 (1972) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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John Akii-Bua (3 December 1949 – 20 June 1997) was a Ugandan hurdler and the first Olympic champion from his country Uganda and Africa at large.[1] In 1986, he was a recipient of the Silver Olympic Order.[2]
Biography
Akii-Bua was raised in a family of 43 children from one father and his eight wives.[3][4] Akii-Bua started his athletic career as a short-distance hurdler, but failed to qualify for the 1968 Olympics.[4] Coached by British-born athletics coach Malcolm Arnold, he was introduced to the 400 meter hurdles.[5] After finishing fourth in the 1970 Commonwealth Games and running the fastest time of 1971, he was not a big favourite for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, having limited competitive experience. Nevertheless, he won the final there, setting a world record time of 47.82 seconds despite running on the inside lane. He missed the 1976 Olympics and a showdown with United States rival Edwin Moses because of the boycott by Uganda and other African nations.[4]
As a police officer, Akii-Bua was promoted by Ugandan president Idi Amin and given a house as a reward for his athletic prowess. When the Amin regime was collapsing, he fled to Kenya with his family, fearful that he would be seen as a collaborator; this was more likely because he was a member of the Langi tribe, many of whom were persecuted by Amin,[6] whereas Akii-Bua was cited by Amin as an example of a Langi who was doing well. However, in Kenya he was put into a refugee camp. From there, he was freed by his shoe-manufacturer Puma and lived in Germany working for Puma for 3–4 years. He represented Uganda once again at the 1980 Summer Olympics.[4] Later he returned to Uganda and became a coach.[7]
Akii-Bua died a widower, at the age of 47, survived by eleven children. He was given a state funeral.[5] His nephew is international footballer David Obua, and his brother Lawrence Ogwang competed in the long jump and triple jump at the 1956 Olympics.[4]
The phrase "akii-buas" has come to colloquially mean "runs" in Uganda.[8]
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