By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially sent congratulations to Halima Nakaayi, who raised the Ugandan flag by winning the IAAF 800 meters women’s race in Qatar, on Monday.
In his congratulatory message to Nakaayi who won a gold medal, Museveni wrote thus on social media last night;
“Congratulations to Halima Nakaayi who has just won the 800m women’s final at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championship in Doha, Qatar. Congratulations to Winnie Nanyondo for putting up a great show in the same race. Your country is proud of you!”
People Power pressure group leader Robert Kyagulanyi also hailed Nakaayi by tweeting thus; “Ugandan athlete Halima Nakaayi just made Uganda proud, winning gold in the IAAF women’s 800 metres final – posting 1:58.04? Congratulations in order. Thank you for lifting our flag high. Keep winning. #IAAFDoha2019 #WorldAthletics.”
Nakaayi outsprinted Diamond League champion Ajee’ Wilson over the home stretch to win the 800m race in a Ugandan record of 1:58.04.
Nanyondo was short of the medal bracket as she finished fourth in 1:59.18.
To win her first world championship gold, Nakaayi breathed past Wilson who was unable to repel the late attack from the Ugandan after hitting the front right from the gun.
Nanyondo and Jamaican Natoya Goule pushed Wilson across the opening lap before Nakaayi stepped on the gas pedal.
Halimah Nakaayi is a Ugandan middle-distance runner. She competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, in the women’s 800 metres. She was the flag bearer for Uganda in the closing ceremony.
Her biggest success is a gold medal in the 800m at the 2019 World Athletics Championships.Â
