PM Nabbanja sends off Team Uganda to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

The flag rose slowly, but the hopes of a nation soared instantly; with Uganda’s flag held high and the country’s finest athletes standing proudly before her, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja officially flagged off Team Uganda to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, in a ceremony filled with patriotism, optimism and belief at Mestil Hotel in Nsambya, Kampala.

The event marked more than just the departure of athletes. It was a celebration of Uganda’s sporting journey, a reaffirmation of government commitment to sports development, and a rallying call for Team Uganda to write another memorable chapter on the international stage. 

Leading the ceremony on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Nabbanja officially commissioned the national delegation ahead of the Games scheduled to run from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow.

Delivering an energetic and often humorous address, the Prime Minister reminded the athletes that they were carrying far more than competition gear; they were carrying the dreams, pride and aspirations of an entire nation.

“Our athletes carry the hopes, pride and flag of Uganda. Compete with determination, integrity and discipline, and make Uganda proud,” she urged. 

She announced that the Government of Uganda had fully funded Team Uganda’s participation, describing the investment as another demonstration of the government’s unwavering commitment to developing sports and creating opportunities for Ugandan athletes to excel on the global stage. 

Reflecting on Uganda’s rich Commonwealth Games history, Nabbanja noted that the country would be making its 16th appearance at the Games, having accumulated 58 medals; 19 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze; mostly through athletics and boxing. She challenged the current generation to raise that tally even higher.

“We want more medals this time; more gold, more silver and more bronze,” she said confidently, expressing faith that the team possessed the quality to surpass previous performances. 

One of the defining moments of her speech came as she celebrated a historic milestone for Ugandan sport.

For the first time ever at the Commonwealth Games, Uganda will send more female athletes than male athletes. The 55-athlete contingent features 34 women and 21 men, including five para-athletes, reflecting the country’s growing commitment to gender inclusion and equal opportunities in sport. Women will compete across almost every discipline, missing only weightlifting and track cycling. 

Uganda will contest nine of the ten sports on the Glasgow programme through eight national federations, fielding athletes in athletics, basketball 3×3, boxing, judo, netball, swimming, para-swimming, para-powerlifting, weightlifting and track cycling. Among the highlights will be the Commonwealth Games debuts of women’s basketball 3×3 and judo, while the She Cranes return after an impressive fifth-place finish in Birmingham four years ago with seven experienced players back in the squad. 

The athletics team will once again be expected to lead Uganda’s medal hunt, spearheaded by Olympic steeplechase champion Peruth Chemutai, the country’s only returning Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth medallist. She will be joined by accomplished runners Halimah Nakayi, Rebecca Chelangat, Oscar Chelimo, Dan Kibet and a strong mixed relay quartet featuring Maureen Banura, Eric Okwi, Adoli Haron and Leni Shida.

In the pool, Uganda’s hopes will rest on an exciting blend of home-grown and internationally based swimmers. European-based sprint sensation Gloria Muzito, alongside United States-based Jesse Ssengonzi and Jordan Samula, will join the team directly in Glasgow. They will be complemented by Tendo Mukalazi, Tendo Kawumi, Kirabo Namutebi and Tara Naluwoza, while para-swimming stars Husnah Kukundakwe and Condoleeza Nakazibwe continue Uganda’s growing reputation in para sport.

The Bombers will field six boxers across both the men’s and women’s divisions, while African number two-ranked weightlifter Davis Niyoyita carries Uganda’s hopes in the 55kg category. In para-powerlifting, Denis Mbaziira, Janet Nakayobyo and Rebecca Zawedde will represent the nation after departing ahead of the main delegation.

Beyond celebrating the athletes, Nabbanja praised the progress made in Uganda’s sports infrastructure. She acknowledged that several members of Team Uganda had trained at the newly reconstructed Hoima City Stadium and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the National High Altitude Training Centre in Teryet before preparations begin for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. She also highlighted the country’s fully operational National Anti-Doping Organisation as evidence of Uganda’s continued commitment to clean sport and international standards. 

The Prime Minister also used the occasion to challenge sports administrators to remain prudent in the use of public resources, emphasising that government funding should continue to prioritise athletes and their preparation.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the national flag was handed over and the formal declaration made. The applause that followed echoed the confidence surrounding a delegation built on youth, experience and ambition.

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