Uganda flags off record 55-athlete team for 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

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.

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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.