Uganda names 13 for para competitions before Commonwealth, Paralympics

Uganda will be represented by 13 athletes across four disciplines at upcoming international para competitions, as preparations intensify for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Paralympics.

The athletes will compete in para swimming, powerlifting, athletics, and for the first time—archery. Each event also serves as a qualifier for global championships.

In para swimming, Husna Kukundakwe is set to compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle (S8), 100m backstroke, and 200m individual medley (SM8), while Condoleza Nakazibwe will race in the 50m freestyle (S9).

The duo will travel to Singapore for the Para Swimming Championships, scheduled for September 20–27. They will be accompanied by team leader Hashima Patience Batamuriza, living assistant Angela Mbaaga Tembo, and coach Muzafaru Muwanguzi.

Uganda’s powerlifting team heads to Cairo, Egypt, for the Elite World Championships—also a qualifier for Paris 2024. The squad includes Dennis Mbaziira (88kg), Rebecca Zawedde (86kg), Ismail Ssebaggala (72kg), and Janet Nakayobyo (61kg), under the guidance of coach Keneth Sikilanda Bogere and team leader Robert Musinguzi.

The largest contingent will compete in New Delhi, India, led by sprinter Fred Masisa and 2016 Paralympic gold medalist David Emong (T46 1500m). Emong will be joined by Jonas Oryema (T13 1500m & 5000m), Kaddu Venswa (T47 400m), Prisca Aciro (T47 400m), Fred Oija (Ab 400m), and Anna Anzoa, who will contest the F47 javelin throw.

Uganda will also make its debut in para archery, with Ismail Ssebaggala set to compete at the World Championships in Seoul, South Korea, from September 21–28.

National Paralympic Committee (NPC) president Hajji Mpindi Bumaali urged athletes to remain disciplined and focused, warning that complacency could jeopardize their chances of making the Commonwealth and Paralympic teams. “Our target is 20 athletes for the USA Games, but qualification will depend on performances in these tournaments,” Bumaali said.

Despite limited funding, the NPC aims to expand participation in more disciplines, including archery, taekwondo, powerlifting, wheelchair basketball (3x3), athletics, and sitting volleyball. “We call upon the government, through the National Council of Sports, to increase our budget to expand inclusion in para games,” Bumaali added.

He also highlighted the ongoing lack of specialized training facilities for para athletes, noting that teams are forced to improvise using mainstream sports infrastructure.