Military officers played a prominent role in the funeral because Rebecca Cheptegei held the rank of sergeant in Uganda's army, an official said.

Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan marathon runner who competed in the Paris Olympics last month, has died days after she was burned by her boyfriend, the country’s athletics federation confirmed on X Thursday.

The Ugandan athlete died at a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated after sustaining 80% burns due to an attack by her partner over a land dispute.

By Elias Biryabarema and Ammu Kannampilly KAMPALA (Reuters) -Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who died after allegedly being doused in petrol and set alight by her former partner, was buried Saturday with full military honours at her ancestral place in Uganda's northeast.

Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, died Thursday from injuries suffered Sunday when she was set on fire.

Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who died after allegedly being doused in petrol and set alight by her former partner, was buried Saturday with full military honors in her native Uganda.

Earlier, with her coffin on display and draped in the Ugandan flag, local leaders held a memorial service. They observed a moment of silence and gave a standing ovation as they paid their respects to the late athlete.

Ugandans on Saturday paid tributes to Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who died after her partner set her on fire in Kenya, finally burying her near her family village.  The 33-year-old, who debuted this summer in the women's marathon at the Paris Olympics,