Overview:
Two athletes; Kassim Murungi (Boxer) and Godfrey Chan Wengo (Athletics) carried the iconic King’s Baton from the UOC offices to the press conference area in the open space compound. The King's Baton Relay is to encourage community engagement, celebrate culture and creativity as well as raise environmental awareness.
It was excitement as the King’s Baton relay was officially launched on Thursday, 3rd July 2025 at the head offices of Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) in Lugogo, Kampala.
The Deputy High Commissioner from Britain to Uganda Her Excellency Tiffany Kirlew was chief guest at the event.
“The King’s Baton Relay transcends sport. It is a movement weaving together community pride, creative expression, and environmental responsibility.” H.E Kirlew remarked.
The Commonwealth Games Association of Uganda president Moses Mwase, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member William Blick, National Council of Sports representative Sarah Chelangat, sports federation leaders, some athletes, UOC secretariat staff and the media graced the afternoon event.
Some of the federation present and past leaders present included those from Weightlifting, Modern Pentathlon, Gymnastics, Canoeing, Rowing, Aquatics, Netball, Volleyball, Rugby, Squash, Lacrosse, Boxing, Table Tennis and others.
“Uganda is humbled to launch the King’s Baton relay here at the UOC offices in Lugogo. This relay is to encourage community engagement, celebrate culture and creativity as well as raise environmental awareness” Mwase noted.
Two athletes; Kassim Murungi (Boxer) and Godfrey Chan Wengo (Athletics) carried the iconic King’s Baton from the UOC offices to the press conference area in the open space compound.
Whilst Murungi carried the basement decorated in the black-yellow-red Uganda flag colours, Wengo had the main baton.
“This is a big honour for me to have carried the King’s Baton. The special moment further motivates me in my career” boxer Murungi stated.
The Baton will traverse the country to further raise awareness and engage the different people.
On Friday, 5th July 2025; the delegation will travel with this Baton to Kapchorwa, the home of many long distance runners from Uganda.
Here, the King’s Baton Relay will visit the famous Sipi Falls, Teryet National High Altitude centre.
On Sunday, 6th July 2025, the King’s Baton Relay will be held at Kampala Parents School during the Uganda Aquatics national championships.
Monday, 7th July 2025 will be a visit to the State House, Entebbe where the Baton will be presented to the State House along with the Rugby Africa Cup.
Finally on Tuesday, 8th July 2025 will be an opportunity on Lake Victoria, arguably Africa’s largest fresh water body.
There will be clean-ups along the shorelines of Lake Victoria in Entebbe and Ggaba landing site.
Finally, the King’s Baton will be presented to the Rugby fraternity on the same day at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole during the Africa Rugby Championship by team Uganda.
About the King’s Baton Relay:
On Commonwealth Day (10 March 2025), King Charles III officially inaugurated the King’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace.
Unlike past relays, this year each of the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories received their own baton, engineered in Glasgow from sustainably sourced Scottish ash allowing each country to decorate them in their own style.
The theme for the King’s Baton Relay is “Dedication”.
23rd Commonwealth Games:
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) officially confirmed Glasgow as the host city for the 23rd Commonwealth Games, which will take place from 23 July to 2 August 2026.
The sports programme includes Athletics, Para Athletics (Track & Field), Swimming, Para Swimming, Artistic Gymnastics, Netball, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Boxing, Judo, 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball, under a streamlined and sustainable model.
For starters, Uganda has competed in the Commonwealth Games since 1954 where a total of 58 medals have been collected since.
19 of these are gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze.
At the most recent Games in Birmingham 2022, Team Uganda fielded 72 athletes across 12 sports, achieving five medals (three gold and two bronze) and earning a respectable 16th overall finish.
The gold medals came from Jacob Kiplimo (5,000 m and 10,000 m) and Victor Kiplangat (marathon), while Peruth Chemutai (steeplechase) and Teddy Nakimuli (boxing) secured bronze.