Rukare outlines unique Glasgow Games experience, warns against misconduct

As the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games draw near, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation and also the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), Donald Rukare, has highlighted key aspects of the event and challenged athletes to prepare for a rather unique experience.

Rukare told athletes that this time there will be no dedicated athletes' village for the event, breaking from the norm typically observed at major games.

He informed athletes and officials that participants will instead be accommodated in hotels near the chosen competition venues and emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline throughout the competition.

He warned athletes and team officials against engaging in misconduct, particularly safeguarding-related violations such as inappropriate touching, offensive jokes, and cyberbullying.

Commonwealth Games President and UOC President, Dr. Donald Rukare (second left), hands over Tooke food products to athletes at Lugogo to supplement their diet ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Games. (Photo: Silvano Kibuuka)

"Competition manipulation, including betting and gambling, is also prohibited," Rukare noted while addressing athletes and coaches during the handover of Tooke products supplied by the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID), a nutrition partner in the UOC's athlete development program.

This year, the UOC partnered with PIBID to provide Ugandan athletes with nutritional products derived from Tooke, a processed banana-based food developed to offer high-performance nutritional value suitable for athletes.

"We have a three-year partnership with PIBID, and its Executive Director, Florence Muranga, was appointed UOC Nutrition Ambassador in recognition of her scientific research. Athletes can greatly benefit from these products, especially because they are gluten-free and help minimise the risk of doping-related complications," Rukare said.

The distribution of products began with athletes preparing for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Beneficiary teams included boxing, the women's 3x3 basketball team, judo, and athletics, all of which were represented at the function.

Uganda will also compete in netball, swimming, weightlifting, and para powerlifting at the Glasgow Games.

Only ten sports disciplines will feature at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Uganda expected to participate in seven of them.