Team Uganda set for packed Commonwealth Games campaign

The countdown to the 2026 Commonwealth Games is nearly over, and Team Uganda is preparing for an action-packed ten-day campaign that promises intense competition, medal opportunities and unforgettable sporting moments across Glasgow, Scotland.

Competition officially begins on 24 July, a day after the Games opening ceremony, with Uganda represented in 3×3 basketball, boxing, para powerlifting, swimming and para swimming before the country’s athletics stars enter the fray three days later.

The Games conclude on 2 August, when Uganda’s final competitors in judo, netball and track cycling will wrap up the nation’s campaign.

The opening weekend is expected to be particularly busy. On 24 July, Uganda’s women’s 3×3 basketball team begins its pool campaign against Jamaica before taking on the Cayman Islands and regional rivals Kenya later the same day. The team returns to action on 26 July against Fiji and Australia, with hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds and medal matches scheduled for 28 and 29 July.

The Uganda She Cranes begin their Commonwealth Games campaign on 25 July with a challenging fixture against Wales before facing Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, New Zealand and hosts Scotland during the preliminary stage. Depending on their final pool standing, Uganda could advance to the classification matches, semi-finals and ultimately the medal matches scheduled for the final weekend of the Games.

Swimming will provide Uganda with one of its busiest schedules during the first half of the Games. National record holders and rising stars including Gloria Muzito, Kirabo Namutebi, Tendo Kaumi, Tendo Mukalazi, Jordan Ssamula, Jesse Ssengonzi and Tara Naluwoza will compete across multiple individual and relay events from 24 to 29 July. Relay teams have also been entered in the men’s and mixed freestyle and medley events, giving Uganda several additional opportunities to challenge for finals.

Uganda’s para-athletes also begin early. Janet Nakayobyo, Rebecca Zawedde and Dennis Mbaziira will contest the para powerlifting finals on the opening day of competition, while swimmers Husnah Kukundakwe and Condoleeza NyamisangaNakazibwe will compete in their respective para swimming events on 27 and 29 July.

Attention will then shift to the athletics programme beginning on 27 July, where Uganda’s strongest medal hopes are expected to emerge. Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai headlines the women’s 3,000-metre steeplechase, while experienced middle-distance runner Halimah Nakaayi returns in the 800 metres.

Uganda’s formidable distance running squad features Oscar Chelimo, Dan Kibet, Harbert Kibet, Kenneth Kiprop, Esther Chebet, Rebecca Chelangat and Joy Cheptoyek, all of whom will compete in the 5,000m and 10,000m events. Sprinters Mauren Akiiki Banura, Shida Leni, Haron Adoli and Kenneth Omuka will contest the 400 metres individually before joining forces in the mixed 4x400m relay. Field event specialist David Otim will represent Uganda in the men’s long jump, while Knight Aciru, Silas Chemutai and Domenic Krop take on the newly introduced one-mile event.

Uganda’s boxers will also be aiming for podium finishes throughout the Games. Angel Katushabe, Emily Nakalema, Nuhu Batte, Ibrahim Kemis, Alfred Ojok and Aziz Abdul begin their campaigns between 24 and 29 July, with progression through the rounds potentially carrying them into the medal bouts on 1 August.

In weightlifting, Davis Niyoyita will compete in the men’s 60kg final on 26 July, while judokas Zubeda Talikaza and Charles Mwangushya will enter competition during the closing weekend on 1 and 2 August respectively.

Uganda’s cycling challenge will be led by Charles Kagimu, who will contest the men’s 4,000-metre individual pursuit on 31 July before returning for the men’s 1,000-metre time trial on the final day of competition.

According to Team Uganda’s master competition calendar, the busiest days are expected to be between 26 and 31 July, when as many as five different sports will be in action simultaneously. Those six days could ultimately define Uganda’s medal tally as athletes compete across swimming, athletics, boxing, netball, weightlifting and cycling.

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