Uganda’s medal tally hits six at Islamic Solidarity Games

Uganda’s medal tally at the ongoing 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has risen to six medals,  comprising two golds, one silver, and three bronzes, as the competition enters its final stretch.

With the second batch of Ugandan athletes now in Riyadh to compete in the remaining events, optimism is high for an even stronger finish.

Table Tennis delivers bronze

Action in table tennis marked the midpoint of Uganda’s participation on Wednesday, as the women’s doubles pair Parvin Nangonzi and Jemimah Nakawala clinched a bronze medal after falling 3–1 to Iran in the semifinals. Nakawala also impressed in the women’s singles, reaching the quarterfinals before bowing out.

Focus shifts to athletics

All eyes now turn to athletics, which begin Monday at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium and Boulevard City Jumps Arena. Uganda’s 17-member athletics team departed Thursday, allowing time for a three-day acclimatization period before competition starts.

Muzito shines in the pool

Earlier in the Games, swimmer Gloria Anna Muzito emerged as Uganda’s star performer, claiming two gold medals and one silver,  a feat that placed Uganda among the top-performing nations in Riyadh.

Currently based in Hungary on an IOC training and study scholarship, Muzito made history by winning Uganda’s first-ever gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games, clocking 25.59 seconds in the 50m freestyle on November 9. She followed that up with another gold in the 100m freestyle (55.47 seconds) and silver in the 200m freestyle (2:04.99).

Her teammate Jesse Ssengonzi added a bronze in the 100m butterfly (53.45 seconds), while Tendo Mukalazi and Tara Kisawuzi also competed in various events to complete Uganda’s swimming lineup.

Boxing opens Uganda’s medal count

Uganda’s first medal came from the boxing ring, where light heavyweight Alfred Ojok of Brian Boxing Club earned a bronze. His teammate Jimmy Adriko exited in the opening round.

However, the boxing team suffered a setback when female boxers Fatuma Nabikolo and Angel Katushabe were ruled out after Ugandan officials failed to submit the required gender eligibility documentation to World Boxing, the sport’s governing body.

Looking ahead

Uganda has so far been represented by 39 athletes across swimming, boxing, table tennis, and weightlifting, with those disciplines now concluded. The next phase — featuring athletics, wrestling, and powerlifting — begins Monday.

A total of 57 countries are taking part in the Riyadh Games, which feature 17 sporting disciplines and will run until November 21.