Uganda confident ahead of World Cross Country Championships
The squad, comprising 26 athletes and four officials, has been in intensive residential training for a month in Kapchorwa.
The national athletics team to the 2026 World Cross Country Championship after being flagged off at Lugogo. PHOTO: Johnson Were
Uganda’s national cross‑country team is confident of winning medals on Saturday, January 10, as the country targets another strong outing at the 46th edition of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
The squad, comprising 26 athletes and four officials, has been in intensive residential training for a month in Kapchorwa.
The team departed Uganda on Tuesday morning, led by two‑time world champion Jacob Kiplimo, who will be chasing a historic third consecutive senior men’s 10km title.
Uganda Athletics Federation General Secretary Beatrice Ayikoru described Kiplimo’s presence as a blessing, expressing optimism about the team’s prospects.
“Our task now is to come back home with medals. The runners selected have all the abilities to improve on the previous tally of five medals won in Belgrade, Serbia,” Ayikoru said.
She noted that Uganda’s biggest medal hope lies in Kiplimo, who won individual gold in the last two editions. In Belgrade, Uganda also secured silver in the men’s team event and bronze in the women’s category.
Uganda Athletics Federation President Dominic Otucet is equally confident, stressing that the four‑week training camp has prepared the team well.
“Athletics is a blessing to our nation. It remains our strongest sport, and wherever I go abroad, people want to associate with Uganda because we are a country of champions like Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo, and Peruth Chemutai,” Otucet said.
Otucet highlighted the depth of the men’s senior team, which includes Dolphine Chelimo, Dan Kibet, Emmanuel Kibet, Kenneth Kiprop, and Deogracius Musobo, alongside Kiplimo.
On the women’s side, Sarah Chelangat leads the charge after finishing fifth at the previous championships in Belgrade. She is joined by Joy Cheptoyek, who impressed with a seventh‑place finish in the 10,000m at the World Championships in Tokyo, supported by a strong cast of teammates.
Uganda’s strength also extends to the junior ranks. Charity Cherop, the world U20 5,000m bronze medalist, anchors a competitive U20 women’s team, further boosting the country’s medal prospects.
With experience, depth, and rising talent across all categories, Uganda enters Tallahassee with high hopes of another memorable performance on the global stage.