The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) has officially named a 25-member team to represent the country at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, marking Uganda’s participation in the first Olympic event to be held on African soil.

The team comprises seven female and 18 male athletes who will compete in seven disciplines: athletics, badminton, road cycling, coastal beach sprints, rugby sevens, swimming and table tennis.

The announcement sets the stage for a significant opportunity for Uganda’s young athletes to showcase their talent on the international stage, as they join competitors from across the world at the historic Games.

Leading the Ugandan delegation as Chef de Mission will be Lydia Gloria Ssanyu Dhamuzungu, the Assistant General Secretary of the Uganda Olympic Committee.

Dhamuzungu has called upon Ugandans to rally behind the young athletes as they prepare for the competition, emphasising that the Youth Olympic Games represent more than just sporting achievement.

“As our young athletes prepare to represent the Pearl of Africa at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, let us support, encourage and celebrate them. The Youth Olympic Games are more than a competition; they are a celebration of the talent, determination, unity and dreams of our people on the world stage,” she said.

She also urged the athletes to believe in themselves, work hard, respect their opponents and represent Uganda with courage and dignity.

Athletics will have five representatives, with the team featuring a combination of middle- and long-distance runners expected to carry Uganda’s rich tradition in distance running onto the global stage.

The squad comprises Baskaline Cherotwo, Racheal Chelimo, Keren Chelimo, Michael Kibet and Timothy Cheptoek.

Cherotwo will compete in the women’s 1500m, while Racheal Chelimo takes on the 2000m steeplechase and Keren Chelimo the women’s 3000m. In the men’s events, Kibet will compete in the 2000m steeplechase, while Cheptoek will contest the 800m.

The five athletes have been training in Kapchorwa under coach Ziana Chetoyek as they prepare for the challenge in Dakar.

Swimming will also have a notable presence, with four athletes set to compete in a combined 13 individual events under the guidance of coach Ezra Kalali.

Mary Peyton Suubi and Marie Mbanga will represent Uganda in the women’s events, while Mark Arthur Mwase and Peterson Inhensiko will compete in the men’s category.

Suubi will participate in the 400m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 200m breaststroke. Mbanga is entered in the 50m and 200m breaststroke as well as the 200m individual medley.

Mwase will compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle, while Inhensiko is scheduled to participate in the 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly.

The quartet will have an opportunity to test themselves against some of the world’s promising young swimmers in what will be an important international experience.

Rugby Sevens will be Uganda’s largest team at the Games, with 11 players selected for the men’s tournament.

Coach Peter Ochol has named Victor Ampiire, Bonamy Bwambale, Trey Rugamba Gateja, Jeremiah Iragaba, Sanyu Katushabe, Moses Kibeti, Deogracious Muliira, Shafik Okole, Abdulrahman Ongima, Almadi Otema and James Ssebuufu.

The squad will carry Uganda’s hopes in the fast-paced discipline, which demands speed, teamwork and tactical discipline.

Uganda’s representation will extend to four other disciplines, with individual athletes and pairs taking on the challenge in Dakar.

In road cycling, Ali Ssali will compete in the men’s road race and individual time trial under coach Ishaka Bukenya.

Marcel Otim will represent Uganda in coastal rowing, competing in the men’s solo C1x beach sprints under the guidance of coach Batenga Nakisozi.

Badminton will have one representative in Ramiah Bukenya, who will compete in the women’s singles, with William Kabindi serving as her coach.

In table tennis, Jemimah Nakawala and Joseph Sebatindira will represent Uganda in the women’s and men’s singles, respectively. The pair will also combine in the mixed doubles competition under coach Alvin Katumba.

The Youth Olympic Games provide a platform for emerging athletes to compete at a high level, interact with their peers from different countries and experience the Olympic movement.

For Uganda, the Games will also offer an opportunity to showcase the country’s emerging sporting talent across a range of disciplines beyond its traditional strengths.

As preparations continue, the focus will be on ensuring that the young athletes are ready to embrace the challenge and make the most of their opportunity to represent the Pearl of Africa.

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Team Uganda will enter a busy opening day at the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games today, with competition beginning hours before the official opening ceremony at Kenyatta University.

The Games, which bring together young athletes from across the Zone V region, are being held at Kenyatta University from August 24–28, serving as an important build-up to the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.

After arriving safely in Kenya and settling into the Games Village, Uganda’s young athletes are now ready to move from preparations to competition, with 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball and tennis taking centre stage on Tuesday.

The official opening ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 pm at Kenyatta University, but the sporting action will already be underway by morning.

3×3 Basketball Opens the Action

Uganda’s women’s 3×3 basketball team will be among the first Ugandan athletes in action, with games scheduled to begin at 8:00 am.

The Ugandan side, comprising Maria Nanyonga, Anena Nyeko Jovia, Apio Marion and Mwesigwa Grace Shivan, is coached by Hamza Nyambogo Mnemo.

The women’s competition features five teams: Uganda, Kenya 1, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya 2 and will be played on a round-robin basis before the semi-finals and final.

The competition will be staged across two stops, with Stop One taking place today, August 25, and Stop Two on August 27. Wednesday, August 26, will serve as a rest day for the women.

The unique points system will make every game important. Teams will earn 100 points for first place, 80 for second, 60 for third, 40 for fourth and 20 for fifth, with the overall champion determined by the highest cumulative points after the second stop.

Beach Volleyball Also Gets Underway

At 10:00 am, Uganda’s beach volleyball pair will begin their campaign.

Oyena Emmanuel James and Kimbowa Reagan, coached by Shamim Makongoro, will represent Uganda in the competition.

The opening programme includes Uganda against Kenya 1, while Kenya 2 faces South Sudan. Further fixtures will see Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan continue their battles for points.

The beach volleyball competition will be played on one court, with teams operating with one coach.

Tennis Joins the Early Action

Tennis will also be part of Tuesday’s pre-opening ceremony programme, with Uganda represented by Samuel Okello and Lillian Ayee in the singles and doubles events.

Their participation gives Uganda another opportunity to test its young talent against competitors from across the region before the official Games ceremony later in the afternoon.

Technical Meetings Prepare Other Sports

While the morning action unfolds in basketball, beach volleyball and tennis, Uganda’s teams in Swimming, Cycling, Athletics and Judo will use the day for technical meetings.

The meetings will focus on competition arrangements, fixtures and other technical matters ahead of their respective events.

Uganda’s athletics delegation includes 12 athletes competing in sprints, middle and long-distance races, long jump, shot put and discus. The team is coached by Betty Aloyo and Issa Kachembo.

In swimming, Nakasule Rahma, Muganzi Tyler, Kaweesa Jonathan and Mwase Arthur will compete across butterfly, breaststroke, freestyle and individual medley events under coach Ezra Khalil.

Uganda’s cycling representation comes through Jacinta Namubiru, who will compete in the Road Race and Individual Time Trial, with Ishaka Bukenya as coach.

In judo, Abdulhakim Otimrwoti will compete in the 66kg category.

The Official Welcome

The day will culminate in the official opening ceremony at 4:30 pm at Kenyatta University, formally welcoming the participating teams and marking the start of the Games.

With all members of the Ugandan delegation safely settled in the Games Village, the focus now shifts firmly to competition.

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The fourth edition of the Uganda National Water Polo Championships delivered a fascinating mix of youthful energy, ruthless finishing and defensive discipline as Uganda’s Water Polo community gathered at Elite High School, Entebbe, on Saturday, 8 August 2026.

With competition divided into Junior (16 and Under) and Senior (17 and Over) categories, the championships provided a platform for both emerging and established players to test themselves against the best in the competition.

By the time the final whistle sounded, BSK Rafters Water Polo Club had conquered the Junior category, while Elite Water Polo Club emerged as Senior champions. But beyond the trophies, the tournament offered an entertaining glimpse into the talent, competitiveness and attacking potential developing within Ugandan water polo.

If the Junior championship had one defining feature, it was BSK Rafters’ extraordinary dominance.

BSK won all three of their matches to finish top with a perfect nine points, ahead of Shree on six, Elite on three and Lubiri on zero.

BSK opened with a 10–0 victory over Shree, followed that with an astonishing 23–0 win over Lubiri, and completed their perfect run with a 15–1 victory over Elite.

Across three matches, BSK scored 48 goals and conceded only one, producing a remarkable +47 goal difference.

Shree finished second with six points after recording two victories, scoring 13 goals and conceding 15. Elite took third place with three points, while Lubiri finished fourth without a point, scoring just once and conceding 36 goals.

Much of BSK’s attacking destruction came through the outstanding performances of William and Myron.

William finished the tournament as the leading scorer with a stunning 20 goals, while Myron added 16. Together, they accounted for 36 of BSK’s 48 goals, underlining just how influential the pair were.

Shree’s Rafaek was next with 11 goals, while BSK’s Rahul contributed seven. Francis of BSK scored four, with Sandton of Elite scoring three.

The remaining scorers included BSK’s Shawn and Shree’s Adriel with two goals apiece, while Jamal and Emmanuel of Elite, Jayden of Lubiri, and several other players added to their teams’ totals.

Myron Rukundo was recognised as the Male Junior Player of the Championships, while BSK Rafters Waterpolo were named the Male Junior Team of the Championships. Victoria Ssaka of Shree received the Female Junior Player recognition.

While BSK owned the Junior category, the Senior championship belonged to Elite Water Polo team.

The Senior competition featured Elite, Lubiri and MUK, with each team playing two matches. Elite won both games to collect the maximum six points, finishing ahead of Lubiri on three and MUK on zero.

Elite began their campaign with a 6–1 victory over Lubiri before producing another commanding performance in a 6–0 win against MUK.

The numbers were striking: 12 goals scored and only one conceded, giving Elite a tournament-best +11 goal difference.

Lubiri finished second after defeating MUK 5–2, while MUK completed the competition in third place.

The final Senior standings were: Elite – 6 points; Lubiri – 3; MUK – 0.

Caesar led Elite’s scoring with five goals, followed by Ian with four. Sandton scored three, while Jamal, Kelly and Emmanuel each contributed once.

Across the Senior competition, Caesar topped the scoring chart with five, Ian had four, Lubiri’s Silver scored three, while Daniella added two. Ariyo and Raymond of MUK, Kelly of Elite and Tariq of Lubiri each scored once.

Padiet Gajack was named the Male Senior Player of the Championships, while Elite Water Polo received the Male Senior Team of the Championships award. Daniella Ayebazibwe of Lubiri was recognised as the Female Senior Player of the Championships.

For Lubiri, Daniella’s recognition provided a bright spot in a campaign that ended with the team as Senior runners-up.

One of the biggest takeaways from the fourth edition was the amount of attacking action. The Junior competition alone produced 67 goals, the Senior category added another 20 goals, taking the combined tournament total to 87 goals.

From emerging individual stars, competitive teams and a growing pathway from junior to senior competition, the 2026 championships provided more than a set of results.

They offered another important step in the development of the sport and a reminder that there is plenty more to come from Uganda’s Water Polo generation.

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