Africa-Press – Uganda. Former and active Ugandan athletes have been urged to plan for life beyond sport through financial discipline, entrepreneurship and mental wellness.
The call was made during a full-day training organised by the Legends Marathon in partnership with the Stanbic Business Incubator at the incubator offices in Kololo.
The training, which brought together nearly 40 athletes from different sports disciplines, focused on financial literacy, sustainable business growth, investment options and mental health.
The morning sessions included financial literacy training led by Sheila Agaba from Stanbic Bank and a session on building systems for sustainable growth facilitated by business consultant Nelson Kasadha.
In the afternoon, participants were taken through investment options, including unit trusts, by Stanbic Bank’s Paul Businge, followed by a mental health session conducted by Nelson Mwanga from Safe Places.
Speaking to the athletes, Stanbic Business Incubator chief executive officer Catherine Poran said the institution was committed to supporting athletes transition successfully into business and entrepreneurship.
She said athletes possess valuable qualities such as discipline, resilience and consistency, which can be applied beyond the field of play.
“Just because you stop being on the field does not mean you stop leaving a legacy. The same discipline you used in sport is what you need in business. If you treat your business without discipline, it will fail,” Ms Poran said.
She emphasised the importance of separating personal finances from business funds, noting that lack of financial discipline often leads to the collapse of small businesses.
Two-time Commonwealth champion and Olympian Moses Kipsiro said the training addressed gaps many athletes face during and after their careers.
He said while athletes often earn good money during their prime years, many lack guidance on how to invest wisely.
“When you have money, many plans come in and you end up making wrong investment decisions. Today, I learnt that you must invest wisely and within your means, and also surround yourself with the right people,” Kipsiro said.
Kipsiro, who now runs a training camp with over 50 young athletes, said the knowledge gained would help him secure a sustainable future beyond athletics.
Former footballer and coach Asaph Mwebaze said the training tackled long-standing challenges faced by athletes after retirement.
He noted that the mental health session was particularly important, given the pressure athletes endure during competition and the difficulties many face once their careers end.
“Many athletes struggle silently with stress after retirement. This kind of engagement is necessary beyond the field of play,” Mwebaze said.
Rugby legend Winnie Atyang Alexander, who retired in 2023 and now manages the Lady Cranes Sevens team, said the training enhanced her understanding of entrepreneurship and investment.
“My biggest takeaway is learning about bonds. As sports people, we earn money but often do not know how to make it grow. I plan to invest in a bond next year,” she said.
She thanked Stanbic Bank for providing the training free of charge, noting that financial literacy remains a major gap among sportspeople.
Legends Marathon founder Andrew Mwanguhya said the training marked the first activity under the Beyond the Finish pillar of Impact Sport, an initiative aimed at supporting athletes after active competition.
He said Impact Sport is built on three pillars, the Legends Marathon, Beyond the Finish, which focuses on training and empowerment, and a storytelling platform that allows athletes to share their journeys.
“This training has brought together Olympians, footballers, rugby players and athletes from different disciplines. Our goal is to ensure athletes remain relevant long after the cameras are off,” Mwanguhya said.
He added that the partnership with Stanbic Business Incubator and Safe Places would continue, with plans to reach more athletes in the future.
Mwanguhya also announced that the next edition of the Legends Marathon will take place on April 19, 2026, in Kampala, calling on Ugandans to support former athletes and celebrate their contributions to sport.
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