UOC intensifies preparations for Glasgow 2026 and Dakar Youth Olympics

After holding a successful general assembly and its annual awards gala, the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) has intensified preparations for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics, officially known as Dakar 2026, to be held in Dakar, Senegal.

Currently, 53 athletes have been confirmed for the Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Scotland from July 23 to August 2.

Two more from para-weightlifting could join the Ugandan contingent of 35 female, 18 male, and five para-athletes who will represent the country.

The games will feature action in 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball, artistic gymnastics, athletics and para-athletics (track and field), bowls and para-bowls, boxing, judo, netball, para-powerlifting, swimming and para-swimming, track cycling and para-track cycling, and weightlifting.

Addressing the press at the UOC offices on Wednesday, UOC president Donald Rukare—accompanied by executive members Lydia Gloria Dhamuzungu, Harriet Ayaa, Richard McBond Asiimwe, UOC administrator Elijah Njawuzi, and sponsorship commission head Collins Ssemanda—said Uganda has a rich history of not only participating but competing at the Games. "So, we are fielding a strong team, and we believe our team will do well. In that regard, we had a soft launch at Her Excellency the High Commissioner's residence a few days ago, and we were happy to see that we are moving forward. Very soon, we'll be having the unveiling of the kit and the team in full," Rukare said.

The chef de mission for the Ugandan team is Godwin Kayangwe, assisted by Njawuzi and Ivan Mugowa of the National Council of Sports. Kayangwe said that after Glasgow, they will begin preparations for the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG), which will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026.

The chef de mission for those games will be Dhamuzungu. This marks a historic milestone as the first Olympic event hosted on the African continent. Rukare said Uganda has been allocated 13 slots for these youth games, for athletes aged 14-17. Uganda will have representation in table tennis (3 players), cycling (2), badminton (1), and rowing (1).

Rukare added that the Ugandan teams will be flagged off for the respective games by President Museveni. He also hinted at their partnership with the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID), which will help address Team Uganda's nutritional needs.

"Reverend Professor Florence Isabirye Muranga, the Director General of PIBID, is our nutritional ambassador. As you know, in sports, people tend to focus on the field of play, but we're also focusing on nutrition. The Tooke products, which are highly nutritious, are now our official partners, both the company and she as a nutrition ambassador," Rukare stated.

Muranga will guide all the teams on nutrition and promote the use of Tooke products, including porridge, cakes, and biscuits, as well as other items that will fuel sports in Uganda. On June 20, the UOC will also hold its first event with its new partners, the Tooke Run, featuring participants competing in 5km, 10km, and 21km routes.

The run will attract students, recreational runners, and elite runners. The UOC is also carrying out several activities with its various commissions, including the Women's Commission, the Sport for All Commission, the Diversity Commission, the Olympic Forest initiative, and others.