Kampala, Uganda: Uganda has officially flagged off its largest and most diverse team in Commonwealth Games history, with 55 athletes set to represent the country at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The delegation, comprising 34 women and 21 men, was flagged off at Mestil Hotel in Kampala on Friday by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who represented President Yoweri Museveni.
The athletes will compete across 10 sporting disciplines, including athletics, boxing, netball, women’s 3×3 basketball, judo, swimming, track cycling, weightlifting, para-swimming and para-powerlifting.
For the first time in Uganda’s Commonwealth Games history, women outnumber men in the national contingent.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Nabbanja challenged the athletes to surpass Uganda’s previous performances and return home with more medals. “Go and make Uganda proud. Our athletes carry the hopes, pride and flag of Uganda. Compete with determination, integrity and discipline, and make Uganda proud.”
She added: “We want more medals this time; more gold, more silver and more bronze.”
To motivate the team, the Government has significantly enhanced financial rewards for medal winners.
Under the new incentive package:
- Gold medalists will receive UGX 100 million
- Silver medalists will receive UGX 50 million
- Bronze medalists will receive UGX 30 million
In addition, medalists will receive monthly stipends of UGX 5 million for gold medalists, UGX 3 million for silver medalists, and UGX 1 million for bronze medalists. Each athlete will also receive US$300 (about UGX 1 million) per night during the Games.
State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang said the enhanced incentives are intended to inspire athletes to compete at the highest level.
Uganda Chasing More Commonwealth Success
Uganda will be making its 16th appearance at the Commonwealth Games since making its debut in Vancouver, Canada, in 1954. The country has won 92 Commonwealth Games medals, including 21 gold medals, with athletics and boxing remaining Uganda’s most successful sports.
The athletics team is Uganda’s largest squad with 17 athletes, led by Peruth Chemutai, Uganda’s only returning medalist from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Other notable athletes include Halimah Nakayi, Oscar Chelimo, Dan Kibet, Kenneth Kiprop, Rebecca Chelangat and Joy Cheptoyek.
Debuts and Experienced Teams
The She Cranes return after finishing fifth at the 2022 Games and boast seven players with previous Commonwealth Games experience.
Uganda will also make its Commonwealth Games debut in women’s 3×3 basketball and judo, while para-powerlifting will be among the opening medal events in Glasgow.
The swimming team includes seven athletes, among them Jesse Ssengonzi, Jordan Samula, Gloria Muzito, Kirabo Namutebi and Tara Naluwoza.
Para-swimming star Husnah Kukundakwe will once again be among Uganda’s leading medal hopefuls alongside Condoleeza Nakazibwe.
Meanwhile, Deputy British High Commissioner to Uganda Tiffany Kirlew wished Team Uganda success, saying the Games would further strengthen sporting ties between Uganda and the United Kingdom.
With record participation, increased government investment and expanded medal incentives, Uganda heads to Glasgow aiming for its most successful Commonwealth Games campaign yet.
Team Uganda – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Athletics: Women
- Leni Shida – 400m
- Esther Chebet – 5000m
- Maureen Banura – 400m
- Chebet Maureen – 800m
- Halimah Nakayi – 800m
- Peruth Chemutai – 3000m Steeplechase
- Joy Cheptoyek – 10,000m
- Rebecca Chelangat – 10,000m
Athletics: Men
- Dan Kibet – 5000m, 10,000m
- Haron Adoli – 400m
- Samuel Simba Cherop – 10,000m
- Dominic Krop – Mile
- Silas Chemutai – Mile
- Kenneth Kiprop – 5000m, 10,000m
- Eric Okwi – 400m
- Oscar Chelimo – 5000m
- David Berkham Otim – Long Jump
Mixed Relay
- Maureen Banura
- Eric Okwi
- Haron Adoli
- Leni Shida
Women’s 3×3 Basketball
- Melissa Akullu
- Jamilla Gunter Nansikombi
- Jane Asinde
- Perus Nyamwenge
Track Cycling
- Charles Kagimu
Boxing (Bombers)
Women: Emily Nakalema, Angel Katushabe
Men: Ibrahim Kemis, Bate Nuhu, Alfred Ojok, and Abdul Aziz.
Para-Powerlifting
- Denis Mbaziira
- Janet Nakayobyo
- Rebecca Zawedde
Weightlifting: Davis Niyoyita
Swimming
- Jesse Ssengonzi
- Tendo Mukalazi
- Tendo Kawumi
- Jordan Samula
- Gloria Muzito
- Kirabo Namutebi
- Tara Naluwoza
Para-Swimming
- Husnah Kukundakwe
- Condoleeza Nakazibwe
Netball – She Cranes
Forwards: Mary Nuba, Rachel Nanyonga, Shadiah Nassanga and Alice Isoto.
Mid Court: Margaret Bagala, Mercy Batamuliza, Joan Ryekoboth and Lilian Achola.
Defenders: Gloria Ayaa, Hanisha Muhameed, Nasimu Mutesi, and Shafie Nalwanja
Coaches: Rashid Mubiru and Ruth Meeme.
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