Patrick Etolu

Patrick Etolu (17 March 1935 – 24 December 2013) was a Ugandan high jumper. He was born in Soroti District, Eastern Region, Uganda. He won the high jump at the 1953 Central African Games.

Etolu competed internationally at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada where he won the silver medal in the high jump with a jump of 6ft 6+1/4in. In doing so, he became the first athlete to win a medal for Uganda at the Commonwealth Games. Two years later in November 1956 in Bombay, Etolu cleared 6ft 8in. This set a national record which stood until May 1999. One month later he was part of the maiden Ugandan team that competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He finished in equal 12th place in the high jump with a jump of 1.96m. At the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, he finished in fourth place in the final of the high jump with a jump of 6ft 6in. At his final international meet, the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Western Australia, Etolu finished ninth in the high jump clearing the bar at 6ft 6in.

Etolu died on 24 December 2013 in Mulago Hospital at the age of 78 after being admitted with breathing difficulties and swollen legs. He is survived by his wife and six children.