Uganda Prisons crowned 2026 National Track and Field champions

Uganda Prisons Athletics Club has once again stamped its authority on the national athletics scene after emerging overall champions of the 2026 National Track and Field Championships with an impressive 383 points following a two-day event held at Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono.

Uganda Police finished a distant second with 179 points, while Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) secured third place after collecting 124 points in the competition that marked the end of the Uganda Athletics track and field season.

Prisons' dominant display was highlighted by victories in several key events, including the men's 4x100m relay, the women's 800m won by Knight Aciru, and the men's 200m title claimed by Haron Adoli. The strong performances enabled the defending champions to retain the overall title for a third consecutive year.

Prisons male team celebrates

Following the championship, Uganda Athletics Publicity Secretary Namayo Mawerere said attention now turns to preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.

"We want to see our athletes enter camp now. Though we still have financial constraints, being in camp is our priority. Our goal is to perform better than we did in Birmingham in 2022," Namayo said.

Uganda Prisons coach Jimmy Ada credited the institution's continued investment in athletics for the team's sustained success. He noted that consistent training and strategic recruitment have been instrumental in maintaining their dominance despite setbacks.

"We don't take breaks even after the season ends. We always work hard, and we always recruit the best athletes to join Prisons. We had some injuries, but I am glad that we still performed well," Ada explained.

The championship attracted 52 clubs from different parts of the country, showcasing the growing depth of athletics talent in Uganda. Athletes competed across a wide range of track and field disciplines, with many using the event as an opportunity to impress selectors ahead of international assignments.

With the domestic season now concluded, Uganda's top athletes are expected to shift focus to national team preparations as the country aims to improve on its performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.