Dickson Ndiema, the man accused of attacking Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei by dousing her in petrol and setting her on fire, has died from burn injuries at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret. Ndiema passed away on the night of Monday, September 9, 2024, while in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he had been receiving treatment for severe burns.

Cheptegei had succumbed to her injuries a few days earlier on Thursday, September 5, 2024, also at MTRH. According to police, the attack, which occurred on September 3, 2024, was reportedly triggered by unresolved land disputes. Cheptegei sustained burns to more than 80% of her body, while Ndiema, who also sustained burns, was being treated for injuries covering 30% of his body.

The athlete, a member of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), will be honored with a military funeral in her home district of Bukwo, Eastern Uganda, on Saturday. The family has confirmed that officials from both Kenya and Uganda are expected to attend the funeral, which will be held following a postmortem on her body.

Before being transported to Uganda, Cheptegei’s body will be taken to her home in Endebes, Trans Nzoia County, for a night vigil on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

This tragic incident has shocked both nations, and investigations into the attack continue as family, friends, and the athletic community mourn the loss of the celebrated athlete.