John Akii-Bua (December 3, 1949 - June 20, 1997) was a Ugandan hurdler and the first Olympic champion from his country.

Akii-Bua started his athletic career as a hurdler on the short distance, but coached by British-born coach Malcolm Arnold, he was introduced to the 400 m hurdles. After finishing 4th in the 1970 Commonwealth Games and running the fastest season time in 1971, he was not a big favourite for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, having limited competition experience. Nevertheless he won the final there, setting a World Record.

The government of Uganda did not appreciate the attention the athlete received, however, and placed him under house arrest. After missing the 1976 Olympics because of the African boycott, police officer Akii-Bua was even arrested . Eventually, he was freed by his shoe-manufacturer Puma and lived in Germany until the regime of Idi Amin ended in 1983.

Akii-Bua died a widower, survived by 11 of his children. He was given a state funeral.

Olympic medalists in athletics (men) | Olympic Champions in Men's 400 m hurdles

John Tewksbury | Harry Hillman | Charles Bacon | Frank Loomis | Morgan Taylor | David Burghley | Bob Tisdall | Glenn Hardin | Roy Cochran | Charles Moore | Glenn Davis (twice) | Rex Cawley | David Hemery | John Akii-Bua | Edwin Moses (twice) | Volker Beck | André Phillips | Kevin Young | Derrick Adkins | Angelo Taylor | Felix Sanchez