Glasgow, Scotland: Uganda made an impressive start to the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Friday, delivering standout performances in basketball, boxing and swimming to boost hopes of a successful campaign in Glasgow.
The day’s biggest success came from the Uganda women’s 3×3 basketball team, who won all three of their Group A matches on their Commonwealth Games debut to move within touching distance of a place in the knockout stages.
The Gazelles, coached by Nicholas Natuhereza, opened their campaign with a thrilling 18-17 overtime victory over Jamaica before recording commanding wins against the Cayman Islands (21-7) and Kenya (21-5) to finish the day unbeaten.
Melissa Akullu, Jane Asinde, Jamila Nansikombi and Perus Nyamwenge all produced outstanding performances as Uganda announced itself among the tournament contenders.
Uganda’s opening victory over Jamaica was sealed in dramatic fashion after Jamila Nansikombi calmly converted the decisive free throw in overtime.
The Gazelles then comfortably dispatched the Cayman Islands, with Melissa Akullu starring with 10 points and nine rebounds, before Jane Asinde scored 10 points to inspire another dominant display against Kenya.
The victories leave Uganda second in Group A, level on points with leaders Australia but separated by points difference.
The Gazelles will have a rest day on Saturday before returning to action on Sunday against Fiji and Australia, with qualification for the knockout stage at stake.
Uganda also enjoyed success inside the boxing ring, where national team captain Nuhu Batte advanced to the men’s 65kg Round of 16 after defeating Nigeria’s Abdulwahab Abdulramon by a unanimous 5-0 decision.
Batte controlled the contest throughout to book a Sunday clash against India’s Aditya Pratap Yadav, with a place in the quarterfinals on the line.
Uganda’s boxing team returns to action on Saturday, with Ibrahim Khemis facing Zambia’s Albert Ngulube in the men’s 60kg division, while Alfred Ojok takes on Kalani Anitelea-Launiu of Niue in the men’s 55kg category.
The country’s swimmers also produced historic performances on the opening day.
Jesse Ssengonzi qualified for the men’s 100-metre butterfly semifinals after posting a time of 54.01 seconds, becoming the first Ugandan swimmer to reach a Commonwealth Games semifinal.
Uganda celebrated another milestone when Tendo Kaumi clocked 22.63 seconds to qualify for the men’s 50-metre freestyle semifinals, further underlining the country’s encouraging start to the Games.
With victories across multiple disciplines and history made in the swimming pool, Uganda has laid a strong foundation as the Commonwealth Games gather momentum in Glasgow.
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