Nabbanja tasks Team Uganda: "Make us proud" at Glasgow 2026

Uganda's team to this year's Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be hoping to add to Uganda's medal tally from past editions, from which the country has collected 58 medals since 1954.

Uganda's contingent of 55 athletes from eight federations will represent Uganda at this year's 23rd edition in Scotland from July 23-August 2, in athletics, boxing, swimming, para swimming, cycling, basketball 3x3, para powerlifting, judo, netball, and weightlifting.

Uganda will compete in nine of the ten disciplines that will feature in Glasgow.

Flagging off this year's representatives after a luncheon at Mestil Hotel in Nsambya on Thursday, the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, who was in the company of the state sports minister, Peter Ogwang, and a delegation from the National Council of Sports (NCS) led by chairman Ambrose Tashobya and general secretary Patrick Ogwel, CWGU's Moses Mwase, and the deputy British High Commissioner to Uganda, Tiffany Kirlew, tasked the team members to preserve Uganda's consistent performance at the games by competing with determination, integrity, and discipline.

Uganda's Basketabll 3x3 team pose after the flag off at Mestil Hotel, July 16, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

"Because you carry our hopes and hold the pride and the flag of our nation. And it is because of that that you will make Uganda proud," Nabbanja said.

She implored the team to target the number one spot by winning more medals than what the 2022 team managed in Birmingham. Since 1954, Uganda has won 19 gold, 16 silver, and 23 bronze medals, mainly in athletics and boxing, including Commonwealth Games record holders like Joshua Cheptegei.

Nabbanja said she was happy that Uganda's contingent has more female athletes than their male athletes, noting that this reflects the government's commitment to gender inclusion in sports.

She was also pleased to note that some athletes had trained at some of the new sports facilities in Hoima and Teryet. But she was alarmed by the number of officials travelling with the team (30) and advised that emphasis should be on the athletes in the future.

She thanked President Museveni for his unwavering support for sports development, particularly the huge investment he has put in sports infrastructure. She said the Teryet High Altitude Center will be fully operational before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

"We are dedicated to making sure Uganda hosts major international sports events in the future, and we're keeping our sports facilities top-notch. I want to thank the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, NCS, UOC, and the sports federations and everyone else involved for your hard work in growing sports in Uganda."

She said the government will continue investing in sports because it helps unite the nation, empowers people, and drives economic change. She also promised further support to Uganda's participation in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar later this year.

Minister Ogwang advised the athletes to seize the opportunity and win medals, which will come with sh100m for each gold, sh50m for silver, and sh30m for bronze, on top of monthly stipends of sh5m, sh3m, and sh1m, respectively.

Kirlew later hosted the athletes at the British high commissioner's residence after noting that sport had become one of the most co-human parts of the partnership between the U.K. and Uganda.

"Because it's about people, it's about discipline, and the belief that where you begin does not decide how far you can go. And that belief is growing," Kirlew said. She congratulated Uganda on joining the Invictus Community ahead of the games' debut in Birmingham in 2027.

Ogwel appreciated the efforts of all stakeholders, such as the UOC and CWGU, for their tremendous work in coordinating the preparations for Team Uganda up to this stage. One of the team captains, Husnah Kukundakwe, said it was an honour for the different athletes to represent the country in Glasgow.

"I feel that we are all really prepared, super excited, and carrying loads and loads of expectation into the Games to perform to the very best of our ability," Kukundakwe said.

"I'd like to thank the National Council of Sports for really investing in us and being important to us. I'd also like to thank our coaches, our team managers, our physiotherapists, and everyone else, as well as our parents, who have made big strides towards us reaching these games. We are looking forward to making our country proud at the games," Kukundakwe stated.

Uganda won a total of 5 medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Uganda's medal haul consisted of 3 gold medals: Jacob Kiplimo in the men's 10000m and 5000m races and Jacob Kiplangat in the men's marathon.

Peruth Chemutai and Teddy Nakimuli each added bronze from the Women's 3,000m Steeplechase and Women's Light Flyweight Boxing, helping Uganda finish 16th overall on the medal table.