Team Uganda set for busy Opening Day as ANOCA Zone V Youth Games get underway in Kenya

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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