Overview:
The event marked the country's formal send-off for the contingent that will represent Uganda at the prestigious multi-sport competition in Glasgow, Scotland.
Uganda has officially launched its campaign for the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja flagged off Team Uganda during a colourful ceremony held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala on Wednesday.
The event marked the country’s formal send-off for the contingent that will represent Uganda at the prestigious multi-sport competition in Glasgow, Scotland.
The ceremony brought together government leaders, sports administrators, federation presidents, athletes, coaches and officials in a show of unity and confidence as Uganda prepares to compete on one of the Commonwealth’s biggest sporting stages.
The national flag was officially handed over to the team, symbolising the country’s trust and expectations as the athletes embark on their quest for medals and national pride.
Delivering a message on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Prime Minister Nabbanja urged the athletes to compete with discipline, determination and patriotism, reminding them that they would be carrying the hopes and aspirations of millions of Ugandans.
She challenged the team to fly the national flag high by producing performances worthy of the country’s growing reputation on the international sporting scene.The Prime Minister also applauded the composition of Team Uganda, noting that the delegation reflects the country’s commitment to gender inclusion, with 34 women and 21 men making up the 55-athlete squad.
She further commended the Ministry of Education and Sports, led by First Lady and Minister Janet Kataaha Museveni, State Minister for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, the National Council of Sports (NCS) and the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) for their collective efforts in preparing and facilitating the national team.
State Minister for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang reaffirmed the government’s commitment to athlete welfare by unveiling an attractive package of financial support and performance incentives. He announced that every member of Team Uganda will receive an allowance of 300 US dollars for each night spent in Glasgow to cater for personal expenses during the Games.
Beyond the daily facilitation, the minister also revealed substantial rewards aimed at motivating the athletes to excel. Gold medal winners will earn Shs100 million, silver medallists Shs50 million, while bronze medallists will receive Shs30 million.
In addition, medal winners will benefit from monthly stipends of Shs5 million for gold, Shs3 million for silver and Shs1 million for bronze, with the duration of the programme to be announced later. He also confirmed that all members of Team Uganda had already received allowances covering each day of their final two weeks of residential training.
The send-off ceremony also attracted several distinguished guests who rallied behind the athletes ahead of the Games. Among them were the British Deputy High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Tiffany Kirlew, National Council of Sports Board Chairman Ambrose Tashobya, NCS General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel, and Uganda Olympic Committee official Moses Mwase, who represented Commonwealth Sport President Dr Donald Rukare.
Uganda will compete across a wide range of disciplines in Glasgow, including athletics, boxing, netball, 3×3 basketball, cycling, judo, swimming and weightlifting. The swimming and weightlifting teams will also include para-athletes, underlining Uganda’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities in sport.
Presidents of the respective national sports federations, alongside team managers and technical officials, attended the ceremony to show their support.
Speaking on behalf of the athletes, Team Uganda co-captains Husnah Kukundakwe of para swimming and boxer Nuhu Batte pledged that the entire delegation would give their utmost in pursuit of success.
The duo assured the nation that the athletes are fully prepared to compete with determination and resilience as Uganda seeks to build on the 58 Commonwealth Games medals it has won since making its debut at the 1954 Games.
Following the official flag-off, Team Uganda was later hosted to a farewell dinner by the British High Commission, providing the athletes and officials with one final moment of encouragement before departing for Scotland, where they will aim to write another memorable chapter in Uganda’s Commonwealth Games history.
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