John Akii-Bua

John Akii-Bua (3 December 1949 – 20 June 1997) was a Ugandan hurdler and the first Olympic champion from his country Uganda. In 1986, he was a recipient of the Silver Olympic Order.

Biography Akii-Bua was raised in a family of 43 children from one father and his eight wives. Beyond the hurdles, Akii-Bua was a versatile athlete; in 1971, he set a Ugandan national record in the decathlon with 6,933 points, a record that stood for decades. Following his Olympic triumph, he continued his dominance on the continent, winning gold at the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos. Even while his international career was being throttled by political restrictions, he managed to record a personal best of 45.82 seconds in the 400-meter flat in 1976. 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. Running in Lane 1 was considered a major disadvantage due to the tighter radius of the turn, which required more energy to maintain momentum. Despite suffering from severe pre-race nerves that prevented him from eating, Akii-Bua became the first man to break the 48-second barrier in the event. Following his victory, he famously performed a lap of honor, continuing to jump hurdles even after the race had concluded. whereas Akii-Bua was cited by Amin as an example of a Langi who was doing well. His escape from Uganda in 1979 involved a perilous car journey through roadblocks, eventually tailing a West German diplomatic convoy to the Kenyan border. During the flight, his wife gave birth prematurely to a child who did not survive. Upon his final return to Uganda in 1983, he found his home looted and his legacy marginalized. He famously remarked to anti-corruption officers that he had "no wealth to declare, only poverty."

The phrase "akii-buas" has come to colloquially mean "runs" in Uganda.