The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) has confirmed a 25-member national team that will represent the country at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. This event marks Uganda's participation in the first Olympic event to be hosted on African soil. The team consists of seven female and 18 male athletes who will compete in seven sporting disciplines.
The disciplines Uganda will participate in include athletics, badminton, road cycling, coastal beach sprint rowing, rugby sevens, swimming, and table tennis. Uganda's delegation will be led by Chef de Mission Lydia Gloria Ssanyu Dhamuzungu, the Assistant General Secretary of the Uganda Olympic Committee. Dhamuzungu has called on Ugandans to rally behind the young athletes as they prepare to represent the country.
Dhamuzungu emphasized the importance of national unity, discipline, and confidence as the athletes compete against their international counterparts. She urged the athletes to believe in their abilities, remain focused, and uphold the country's reputation through discipline and respect for their opponents. The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will bring together young athletes from across the world to compete on a global stage.
Athletics will be among Uganda's key disciplines, with five middle- and long-distance runners selected to compete in events ranging from the 800 meters to the 3,000 meters. The athletics team comprises Baskaline Cherotwo, Racheal Chelimo, Keren Chelimo, Michael Kibet, and Timothy Cheptoek. They have been training in Kapchorwa under coach Ziana Chetoyek.
Beyond athletics, Uganda will have representatives in road cycling, coastal rowing, swimming, badminton, table tennis, and rugby sevens. In road cycling, Ali Ssali will represent Uganda in the men's road race and individual time trial. Marcel Otim will carry Uganda's hopes in coastal beach sprint rowing.
The rugby sevens team, named for the men's tournament, comprises 11 players: 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 team will seek to demonstrate its skills in the fast-paced format of rugby sevens.
Uganda's participation in Dakar 2026 provides an important opportunity for its young athletes to gain international exposure and compete against their peers from other countries. The inclusion of seven disciplines highlights the country's efforts to provide opportunities for young athletes beyond its traditionally established sporting events.
Key points
- The Uganda Olympic Committee confirms 25 athletes for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
- The team will compete in seven sporting disciplines.
- The event marks Uganda's participation in the first Olympic event hosted on African soil.
