Down Memory Lane: Davis Kamoga’s surprise bronze at 1996 Olympics in Atlanta

Perhaps nothing better captures the surprise surrounding Davis Kamoga’s Atlanta Olympics bronze medal than an argument thousands of miles away, in a Ugandan newsroom.

After Kamoga cruised into the final of the men’s 400 metres at the 1996 Olympics, a young New Vision reporter urged colleagues to prepare for a medal-winning story.

“Kamoga will win a medal,” the writer insisted.

An experienced editor, visibly irritated by the optimism, dismissed the idea outright. To him, the thought of a Ugandan, let alone the only African in the race, sharing the podium with the sprinting giants of the USA, Great Britain, and Jamaica was simply unthinkable.

The newsroom sided with the editor. But the young reporter’s “dream” soon became reality. Against all odds, Kamoga sprinted his way into Ugandan sporting history with a bronze medal.

From footballer to Olympian

Kamoga’s journey made his triumph even more remarkable. He had only been discovered in his 20s when army coach Benjamin Longiros spotted his raw pace during a football match in Jinja. Invited to try athletics, Kamoga shocked everyone by winning a national trial in Bugembe with a 47-second run.

By Atlanta, he had already hinted at his potential. He set a national record at an IAAF Permit Meet in Nairobi and continued his steady climb in the Olympic rounds—44.56 in the heats, a 44.85 national record in the quarters, and an even sharper 44.82 in the semi-final.

Still, few gave him a chance. Michael Johnson of the USA was unbeatable, Roger Black of Great Britain was tipped for silver, while Alvin Harrison (USA) and Roxbert Martin (Jamaica) were considered stronger bets for bronze.

The tactical masterclass

Drawn in lane two, right beside Johnson and Black, Kamoga stuck to his strategy. As Johnson stormed to Olympic gold in record time, Kamoga stayed patient, conserving energy. Entering the final 100m, he was dead last.

But then he began his charge. Stride by stride, he powered past three rivals. With just 10 metres left, he was still fourth, trailing Harrison. Yet in a thrilling burst, Kamoga edged the American on the line to claim bronze.

It was Uganda’s first Olympic medal since boxer John Mugabi’s silver in 1980, and the first on the track since John Akii-Bua’s iconic 400m hurdles gold in 1972.

Proving it was no fluke

Kamoga silenced any remaining doubters the following year in Athens, storming to silver at the 1997 World Athletics Championships.

From an unheralded footballer in Jinja to an Olympic medalist in Atlanta, Kamoga’s story remains one of Uganda’s most remarkable sporting surprises.