Ugandan gold medal winners at Commonwealth Games to pocket Shs100 Million

The rewards have never been higher for Team Uganda, as the country’s finest athletes prepare to compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The government of Uganda has raised the incentive bar, announcing that every athlete who wins a gold medal will receive Shs100 million, silver medallists Shs50 million, and bronze medallists Shs30 million, in addition to the monthly stipends already approved for medal winners in major international competitions.

The announcement made by State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, set the tone during the official flag-off ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at Mestil Hotel, Nsambya, Kampala, on Wednesday.

Addressing the athletes before inviting the Prime Minister to officially flag off the team, Ogwang challenged Team Uganda to travel to Scotland with one mission—winning medals.

“We are not participants; we are competitors,” the minister declared.

“Under the guidance of our Minister of Education and Sports, whoever wins a gold medal for Uganda will earn Shs100 million. A silver medal will earn Shs50 million, while a bronze medal will earn Shs30 million.”

He further reminded the athletes that medal winners at the Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games and African Games are also entitled to monthly government stipends of Shs5 million for gold, Shs3 million for silver, and Shs1 million for bronze, describing the package as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to rewarding sporting excellence.

With the athletes, coaches, federation leaders and sports administrators gathered at Mestil Hotel, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja officially flagged off Team Uganda, wishing the contingent success as they embark on the journey to Glasgow.

Uganda will be making its 16th appearance at the Commonwealth Games, having first competed in 1954 when the country was still a British Protectorate.

This year’s contingent comprises 55 athletes supported by 30 officials, who will compete in nine sporting disciplines, including athletics, boxing, netball, swimming, para swimming, para powerlifting, weightlifting, judo, track cycling and 3×3 basketball.

Minister Ogwang assured the country that the Government had fully financed Team Uganda’s participation in Glasgow.

He revealed that preparations had included intensive residential training camps in Kampala, Namboole, Kapchorwa and other locations, while athletes based in Kenya and the United States would link up with the team directly in Scotland.

Government support includes air tickets, athletes’ allowances, medical personnel, logistical support and all operational requirements necessary for the team’s participation.

Accommodation and meals for the official delegation will be fully catered for by the Commonwealth Games Federation, with athletes staying in designated Games hotels rather than the traditional Games Village.

National Council of Sports General Secretary Dr Bernard Ogwel disclosed that the government had already fulfilled all financial commitments towards the team’s preparations.

He said federations had received full budget allocations during the previous financial year, with additional funding provided for the final stages of preparations, including athlete training allowances over the last several weeks.

Ogwel also confirmed that athletes would receive a minimum daily facilitation allowance of US$300, following government directives introduced after the Paris Olympic Games.

The funds, he explained, would be deposited directly into athletes’ accounts before competition.

He further revealed that Team Uganda’s official competition kit had arrived and distribution would be completed before departure, while ceremonial attire was already ready for travel.

“We have provided all the logistics and therefore expect full participation and strong competition from Team Uganda,” Ogwel said.

Uganda heads to Glasgow determined to improve on an impressive Commonwealth Games history; since debuting in 1954, the country has collected 58 Commonwealth Games medals comprising 19 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze medals, largely through athletics and boxing.

Sports leaders believe the Glasgow team has the quality to surpass that achievement. Speaking on behalf of Commonwealth Sport Uganda, Moses Mwase praised the government for investing heavily in preparations and expressed confidence that the athletes would deliver even better results.

He noted that the contingent would compete across nine disciplines and encouraged every athlete to seize what he described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the country on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.

Team Uganda captain and para swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe assured Ugandans that the athletes were fully prepared and eager to represent the country with distinction.

She thanked the National Council of Sports, coaches, technical teams, federation officials, parents and support staff whose contribution had made the journey to Glasgow possible.

“We are really prepared, super excited and carrying lots of energy into these Games to perform to the very best of our ability,” she said, promising that the team would do everything possible to make Uganda proud.

British Deputy High Commissioner Tiffany Kirlew congratulated Team Uganda and described sport as one of the strongest pillars of the partnership between Uganda and the United Kingdom.

She highlighted Glasgow 2026’s commitment to inclusion, noting that able-bodied athletes and para-athletes would compete side by side, with the first medal of the Games set to be awarded in a para-sport event.

Kirlew praised Uganda’s culture of inclusion and wished the team success, assuring the athletes that both Ugandans and their British hosts would be cheering them throughout the Games.

National Council of Sports Chairman Ambrose Tashobya commended the government for providing unprecedented support to Uganda’s athletes, saying the level of facilitation offered for Glasgow exceeded previous Commonwealth Games campaigns.

He urged the athletes to compete with pride and determination, reminding them that they carried the hopes of an entire nation.

Team Uganda will travel to Scotland on the 20th July 2026, with the first games set for 23rd July 2026. 

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