Ugandan long-distance runner Harbert Kibet has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) over allegations involving the presence and use of prohibited substances.
According to the AIU, laboratory analysis of Kibet’s sample detected triamcinolone acetonide and exogenous steroids following Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) analysis.
The case is being pursued under Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, which relate to the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites in an athlete’s sample and the use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method.
The AIU has issued Kibet with a Notice of Allegation, meaning the case is still undergoing the results-management process, and no final finding of an anti-doping rule violation has been made.
The 21-year-old represented Uganda at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
In February 2026, Kibet won the 10K Facsa Castellón road race in Spain in 26:39, a time that at the time ranked fourth on the world all-time list for the 10-kilometre road distance.
His case comes as four other Ugandan athletes are serving anti-doping bans — Mercyline Chelangat, Belinda Chemutai, Janat Chemusto and Peter Maru.
The growing number of cases has renewed concerns about doping in Uganda’s long-distance running programme, which has produced some of the country’s biggest international athletics successes.
Kiprotich calls for stronger education
Former Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich has called for anti-doping campaigns to be taken directly to athletes’ training camps to strengthen awareness about prohibited substances.
Kiprotich said repeated doping cases could damage Uganda’s reputation as a leading distance-running nation.
“I wonder why our athletes are testing positive; it is not good at all with someone with a God-given talent,” he said.
He urged athletes to rely on their natural ability and avoid banned substances, warning that doping could destroy careers while also damaging Uganda’s standing in international athletics.
Uganda Athletics national coach Grace Chesang said Kibet’s case could also have an impact on young athletes seeking to compete at the highest level if an anti-doping violation is ultimately established.
“When upcoming athletes hear such news, it creates fear of competing with such athletes,” she said.
Chesang urged coaches to regularly counsel athletes and equip them with adequate knowledge about prohibited substances, anti-doping rules and clean competition.
The AIU stresses that a provisional suspension is not a final sanction and does not remove an athlete’s presumption of innocence.
Kibet will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations as the case proceeds through the anti-doping results-management process. A final determination will be made after the relevant proceedings are completed.