Ugandan athletes race against time for World Championship qualification

As the countdown continues toward the qualification deadline for the World Athletics Championships, set for September 13–21 in Tokyo, Japan, Uganda’s track and field athletes are under increasing pressure.

With the qualification window closing on August 24, local competitors face an uphill task—and there’s growing concern that many may fall short without stronger competition in the remaining national trials.

At the heart of the issue is the level of competition. Many athletes are missing qualification marks by mere seconds, and officials believe that the absence of consistently high-caliber opponents may be holding them back.

Uganda Athletics Federation Publicity Secretary Abdallah Muhammed has acknowledged the challenge.

“Our athletes can push themselves less when they are not racing against world-class competitors,” said Muhammed. “To improve times, we need to intensify the competition.”

This reality was made clear during the early national trials, where the presence of elite Kenyan athletes—such as sprint star Ferdinand Omanyala and 400m hurdles specialist Wiseman Mukhobe—elevated the pace and quality of the races. Their participation acted as a catalyst, compelling Ugandan athletes to rise to the challenge.

In response, the federation has launched a strategy to increase competitiveness. This includes staging more high-stakes events, such as the Akii Bua Memorial Championships, and inviting regional elites to participate. These efforts are designed not only to create more racing opportunities but also to push local athletes to world-class standards.

“The Akii Bua meet is just the beginning,” Muhammed noted. “We’re also planning to send a larger team to the Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour in Kenya on May 31. Competing against the best in Africa could be the breakthrough our athletes need.”

This strategic shift is based on the understanding that athletes tend to perform better when pushed by tougher rivals. Without that external pressure, times tend to plateau—threatening the chances of making it to Tokyo.

The upcoming Seventh National Athletics Trials on Saturday, May 24, could prove to be a make-or-break moment. With just three months remaining in the qualification window, every race, every second, and every performance carries immense weight.

For Uganda’s hopefuls, the path to Tokyo isn’t just about setting personal bests—it’s about rising to the occasion against the very best the sport has to offer.