National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel has urged Uganda’s young athletes to embrace discipline, patriotism and excellence as they prepare to represent the country at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
Speaking at the team’s flag-off ceremony held yesterday at Copper Chimney, Ogwel, representing the Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, challenged the athletes to recognise the responsibility that comes with wearing the national flag and to use the global competition as a stepping stone towards senior Olympic success.
“Look at the flag on the right arm of your jersey and know what it means to wear it,” Ogwel urged the athletes, emphasising that they would be ambassadors of Uganda throughout their time in Senegal.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting sports development and called on the team to demonstrate the discipline required to compete against the world’s best young talent, while making the most of an opportunity that could shape their future sporting careers.
Ogwel also commended the athletes, coaches and sports federations for their contribution to assembling Uganda’s biggest-ever contingent for the Youth Olympic Games. He noted that the increase in numbers reflected the country’s growing sporting potential and the importance of investing in young talent.
The Ogwel encouraged the athletes to believe in their abilities, work closely with their coaches and approach the Games with the ambition of laying a foundation for future Olympic representation. He further highlighted the government’s commitment to improving sports infrastructure and providing facilities that can strengthen Uganda’s preparation for international competitions.
The flag-off marks an important moment for Team Uganda as the country prepares to join thousands of young athletes from across the world at the fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games that will make history for Africa.
Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Secretary General Beatrice Ayikoru highlighted the scale of the team’s progress, revealing that Uganda will send 25 athletes to Dakar, a significant increase from the five athletes it fielded at each of the previous three editions.
The athletes will compete across seven sports, reflecting an expansion in Uganda’s representation and the growing reach of youth sport in the country.
Ayikoru traced Uganda’s Youth Olympic Games journey from Singapore in 2010, where the country won a bronze medal through Halima Nakayi in the 800 metres. At Nanjing 2014, Uganda improved to a silver medal through Geoffrey Balimumiti, also in the 800 metres. The country then recorded its strongest medal haul at Buenos Aires 2018, winning gold through Sarah Chelangat in the 3,000 metres and adding a bronze medal.
From five athletes and a smaller selection of sports in previous editions, the 25-member athlete contingent heading to Dakar represents a notable step forward. Ayikoru credited the participating federations, coaches, athletes and supporting institutions for their role in preparing the team.
She urged the young competitors to approach the Games as an opportunity to learn, develop their skills and build relationships with athletes from other countries, while competing with confidence and pride.
“These games will offer you an opportunity as a pathway to some Olympic Games,” she noted, expressing hope that Uganda would see some of the young athletes progress to the senior Olympic stage, including the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Ayikoru also emphasised the importance of athlete welfare, safety and discipline, encouraging the team to listen to their coaches, follow safeguarding guidance and seek help from team officials whenever necessary.
Dakar 2026: A historic moment for Africa
The fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games will run from October 31 to November 13, 2026, across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly in Senegal. It will be the first Olympic event hosted on African soil, marking a landmark moment for the continent’s place in the Olympic movement.
Approximately 2,700 athletes aged 15 to 17 from more than 200 National Olympic Committees are expected to participate, including members of a Youth Refugee Olympic Team. The programme features 25 competition sports, with 153 medal events, alongside 10 non-medal engagement sports.
Under the motto “Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates,” the Games will offer Uganda’s young athletes an opportunity to test themselves against international competition, gain valuable experience and showcase the country’s emerging sporting talent.