Mbale to stage 2026 National Cross-Country Championship
This marks the first edition of the event in Mbale and the 32nd overall in Uganda, expected to attract more than 1,000 athletes.
Athlets competing in one of the National Athletics Championship in Tororo . PHOTO: Gabriel Esiku
Uganda Athletics (UA) is set to host the highly anticipated 2026 National Cross-Country Championship on Saturday, January 15, 2026, at the Mbale Golf Course Grounds.
The North Eastern region will be represented by ten athletes in the competition.
Jimmy Isamat, chairperson of the North Eastern Athletics Association, confirmed that the team includes seven boys and three girls, selected from various secondary and tertiary institutions across the region.
Isamat noted that over the years, Uganda Athletics has played a pivotal role in nurturing athletes both locally and internationally. He emphasized that the aim is to ensure athletes from the North Eastern region join their counterparts from the Sebei sub-region in such a competitive race.
Traditionally held at the Tororo Golf Club, this year’s championship will instead be hosted at the Mbale Golf Course. This marks the first edition of the event in Mbale and the 32nd overall in Uganda, expected to attract more than 1,000 athletes.
Dominic Otucet, president of Uganda Athletics, underscored the significance of the championship:
“We are ready for the event. The electric timer is already in place. This championship also comes as we celebrate 100 years of athletics in Uganda.”
He highlighted the evolution of athletics in the country, noting that the event serves as a crucial prelude to the centenary celebrations.
According to Otucet, the championship will also serve as a selection ground for Uganda’s national cross-country team, which will represent the country at the World Cross-Country Championship in Florida, USA, on January 10, 2026.
Among the notable athletes expected to compete are Jacob Kiplimo, the first Ugandan to win a gold medal on home soil, and Joshua Cheptegei, alongside several rising stars.
Abdullah Muhammad, UAF Publicity Secretary, expressed optimism about the championship’s role in discovering and nurturing new talent:
“This is a major event for us as a federation because it is one of the competitions that ushered in Uganda’s excellence in athletics, particularly in long-distance running.”
The 2026 National Cross-Country Championship not only promises thrilling competition but also stands as a landmark celebration of 100 years of athletics in Uganda.