Vice President credits US-based power lifter

The Vice President of Uganda H.E Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi has congratulated US-based powerlifter Roy Mubiru upon his recent international success and also applauded him for the efforts to develop the sport back home. The second citizen extended the credits on Tuesday at his office in Kampala after the heavy weight lifter visited him along with his American guest Terry Harcleroad and manager Frank Serugo among others. “I congratulate you for your success and also appreciate your efforts to popularise the sport. As government, we shall continue to support sports growth in the country. We also encourage Ugandans to involve in sport for health living,” said Sekandi, who promised to help Mubiru move his talent higher as he continues to raise the Uganda flag higher as well as helping the Uganda’s prospective athletes. Mubiru, who organised the RM Power lifting and cross fit championship last Saturday at Elite fitness center, Kisasi where over 80 powerlifters took part, is optimistic the second citizen will help Uganda’s prospective power lifters to achieve their dreams. According to Mubiru, the elite lifters who made the qualification mark from the weekend’s RM championship (1000 kgs in total) are bound to represent the country at the American power lifting championship and Arnold classics. “Government through National council of sports (NCS) promised to help us with travel tickets but the Vice president has also assured us of maximum support,” noted Mubiru, who is the first Ugandan powerlifter to ever qualify for the World Power lifting Championships set for this May in Ukraine. To achieve this historical feat, Mubiru won Gold in the heavy weight at last year’s 32nd State Bay annual American Power lifting Association (APA) Championships held in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The APA is used as a qualifier for both the USA national power lifting team and other nations do always take part as well. Mubiru, who weighs 122kgs, lifted 365kgs in dead lift, 210kgs in bench press and 259kgs in squats before being declared winner of a gold medal in the heavyweight division.