STORY: Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei was laid to rest in her hometown of Bukwo, on Saturday.The 33-year-old died after allegedly being doused in petrol and set alight by her former partner in the Kenyan village where she was

Uganda held a military funeral for Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei in her home village of Bukwo. On Saturday morning, mourners paid their respects to Cheptegei in the village of Bukwo near Uganda's border with Kenya.

Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who was set ablaze by her former boyfriend and later died has been buried in her father's homestead in eastern Uganda. As she was also a member of Uganda's armed forces, soldiers carried the coffin and she was given a three-volley salute.

Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei's coffin is brought to her hometown ahead of her burial:: Cheptegei died after allegedly being doused in petrol and set alight by her former partner:::: Bukwo, Uganda Cheptegei had recently returned from the Paris Olympics and finished 44th in the women's marathon.

Charity Chebeti R daughter of Rebecca Cheptegei is seen at the burial in Bukwo eastern Uganda on Sept 14 2024

Cheptegei died after her body suffered 80% burns in the attack by her partner Dickson Ndiema, who doused her in gasoline at her home in Kenya.

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

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.

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.