Uganda's lifting duo ready for Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Uganda is being represented by two lifters at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, which run from Thursday, July 23, to August 2. One is a Para powerlifter, while the other is a weightlifter.

The lifting campaign will be opened by Para powerlifter Denis Mbaziira, who will be on the bench this Friday in the heavyweight category for persons with disabilities, over 82kg. Mbaziira is representing Uganda alone after female lifters Janet Nakayobyo and Rebecca Zawedde, both in the 61kg category, were dropped from the team.

At 40 years old, Mbaziira is one of Uganda's most accomplished Para powerlifters, having represented the country at numerous international competitions. This will be his second appearance at the Commonwealth Games, following his debut at the 2022 Birmingham Games, where he finished fifth in the same weight category.

Para powerlifter Denis Mbaziira training at the ISK Fit for Life Gym during preparations for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Photo: Silvano Kibuuka

Mbaziira secured qualification for Glasgow through his performances at the World Para Powerlifting Championships in Cairo, Egypt, last November, and the Africa Open Championships in Oran. He finished sixth at the World Championships in Cairo.

His international résumé also includes appearances at the World Championships, African Championships, and the Islamic Solidarity Games. In 2022, he won bronze medals at the African Championships in Cairo and the World Cup in Dubai. He also represented Uganda at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

Despite his impressive record, Mbaziira is determined to achieve an even greater milestone in Glasgow.

Coach Kenneth Sekiranda is confident his athlete will improve on his Birmingham performance, citing two months of intensive preparation ahead of the Games.

The other representative is Davis Niyoyita, who is due to compete in the men's 60kg final on Sunday. Action in his category will take place between 11:30 am and 2:00 pm Ugandan time.

Niyoyita is also competing alone, having been the only Ugandan lifter to hit the qualification points set by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), the world governing body of the sport.

He made his Commonwealth Games debut at Birmingham 2022 but could not compete after sustaining a palm injury during warm-up, just minutes before his event.

"I am ready and happy to represent Uganda once again. I have trained well, and now it is time to reap the rewards. I am aiming for the best performance of my career and hope to return home with a medal," Niyoyita said.

"My game plan is to open with 95kg in snatch and 125kg in clean and jerk—a strategy I have developed with my coaches while training at home," noted Niyoyita, drawing on his experience on the platform.

Niyoyita has spent the last month intensifying his preparations for the Glasgow Games.