Uganda Opens High-Altitude Training Centre to Enhance Athlete Performance

Uganda has opened the Teryet National High Altitude Training Centre in Kapchorwa District, a state-of-the-art facility designed to elevate the country's athletic achievements and attract global talent.

The training centre, built on 45 hectares at an altitude of over 2,500 meters, includes a modern athletic track, artificial turf, field tracks, hostel facilities, an external kitchen, and advanced equipment. The UGX 29 billion project aims to enhance athlete performance and promote sports tourism.

Speaking at the commissioning, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni highlighted the benefits of high-altitude training, emphasizing its role in improving lung efficiency. “Training at high altitude enhances the lungs' efficiency. This facility is a goldmine, and I’m glad we have built it,” he said.

The President praised Uganda’s rich talent pool, citing the success of athletes like Stephen Kiprotich and Joshua Cheptegei. He noted the government's strategic decision to construct the centre in Kapchorwa to harness the natural advantages of the region’s altitude.

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, applauded the facility’s completion, tracing its roots to the achievements of Moses Kipsiro and Kiprotich. “This centre is a beacon of hope for athletes. It’s our shared responsibility to produce more global champions like Cheptegei and Kiprotich,” she stated.

Athletes representative Joshua Cheptegei thanked the government for its support, affirming the centre’s positive impact. “This track is the best. It has not only enhanced athletic excellence but also attracted international tourists and athletes,” he said.

Vice President Jessica Alupo commended the centre’s proximity to athletes, which eliminates the need to train abroad. Local leaders and sports officials urged the government to address water access and expand accommodation capacity at the facility.

The facility is expected to inspire a new generation of Ugandan athletes and bolster the country’s reputation on the global sports stage.