Women emerge as bright spots in a disappointing Commonwealth Games campaign

For the first time in 20 years, Uganda returned from the Commonwealth Games without a gold medal.

It is a statistic that will dominate conversations long after the closing ceremony in Glasgow.

Questions will be asked about our once-reliable distance runners, the systems behind elite sport, and whether Uganda is losing its grip on the events that have defined us for generations.

But if the medal table tells one story, Glasgow tells another.

In the midst of a disappointing campaign, Uganda's women once again emerged as the country's brightest ambassadors, reminding us that while one chapter may be closing, another is steadily being written.

The first spark came from Husnah Kukundakwe. At just 19, the para-swimmer delivered Uganda's first medal of the Games, winning silver in the women's 100m breaststroke SB8 and setting a new African record. It was not only a personal triumph but also a landmark moment for para-sport in Uganda. Years of resilience, discipline and belief culminated in a performance that deserved every bit of the spotlight.

As for Peruth Chemutai, despite the heartbreak of missing out at last year's World Championships and battling illness in the lead-up to Glasgow, the Olympic champion dug deep to claim bronze in the 3,000m steeplechase.

It may not have been the colour she wanted, but it was a reminder that champions are not defined only by victories. Sometimes they are defined by their ability to respond when the odds are stacked against them.

Away from the track, the Gazelles gave Ugandans another reason to celebrate. Making their Commonwealth Games debut in the 3x3 basketball competition, they played with confidence and purpose, reaching the final before settling for a historic silver medal. Their run was no fluke. It reflected years of investment, improved structures and a generation of players who now believe they belong on the biggest stages.

For years, Uganda's international success has largely been associated with men's distance running. Glasgow challenged that narrative. At a time when the country's traditional medal winners struggled to reach their usual heights, it was women who carried Uganda onto the podium.

As attention turns to the next Olympic cycle, there will be understandable focus on fixing what went wrong in Glasgow. But there should be equal determination to nurture what is going right. Because beyond the disappointment of a gold-medal drought, Uganda leaves these Games with something equally valuable: growing proof that the future of its sporting success is increasingly being shaped by women.