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Kukundakwe wins Uganda’s first Commonwealth medal, Nakaayi advances to Semis

Kukundakwe’s historic silver has given Uganda its first podium finish of the Games and boosted hopes of adding more medals through athletics, netball and other remaining events.

Husnah Kukundakwe secured Uganda's first medal, a silver, at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (Photo/Courtesy).

Glasgow, Scotland: Para-swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe has won Uganda’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after claiming silver in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB8 final, while middle-distance runner Halimah Nakaayi progressed to the semifinals of the women’s 800 metres.

Kukundakwe delivered another outstanding performance in the pool, clocking 1:26.20 to finish second behind England’s Brock Whiston, who struck gold in a new Commonwealth Games record time of 1:22.05.

England’s Lona Winnifrith claimed bronze in 1:26.31, while Australia’s Alyssa Gillespie and Gemma Sellick finished fourth and fifth in 1:32.80 and 1:33.95 respectively. England’s Isabella Haynes placed sixth in 1:34.35.

The silver medal places Uganda on the medals table alongside Cyprus, Jersey, Samoa, Nauru, Papua New Guinea and Rwanda, each with one medal.

By Monday evening, Australia led the overall medals standings with 59 medals, followed by England (29), Canada (21), Scotland (11), South Africa (11) and Nigeria (10).

Nakaayi advances to semifinals

On the athletics track at Scotstoun Stadium, former world champion Halimah Nakaayi safely booked her place in the women’s 800m semifinals after finishing third in Heat Three.

Nakaayi crossed the finish line in 2:04.33, behind England’s Georgia Hunter Bell, who won the race in 2:02.61, and Scotland’s Jemma Reekie, who finished second in 2:03.09.

Nicole McKenzie placed fourth in 2:05.07, while Abigail Abugire finished fifth in 2:06.31. Adi Ceva Sova Lutumailagi and Tanesia Sylvina Gardiner completed the field.

Nakaayi will now compete for a place in the final as Uganda continues its pursuit of more medals in Glasgow.

She Cranes suffer first defeat

Meanwhile, Uganda’s national netball team, the She Cranes, suffered their first defeat of the tournament after losing 55-49 to Jamaica in their third Pool B fixture at the Hydro Arena.

The loss ended Uganda’s perfect start to the competition following earlier victories over Wales (59-50) and Trinidad and Tobago (80-34).

Despite the setback, the She Cranes remain firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stages as the competition enters its decisive phase.

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