Team Uganda fine-tunes for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games 

Team Uganda athletes are settling into the Olympic environment in Dakar, with the team balancing recovery, training and final preparations ahead of the Games, which officially open on Saturday, October 31, with the Opening Ceremony scheduled for 9:25 pm East African Time (EAT).

The Games bring together young athletes from across the world, with Uganda hoping to make a strong impression through its representatives in several disciplines.

Otim Ready for Rowing Challenge

Rower Marcel Andrew Otim will be Uganda’s first athlete to compete in rowing, taking to the water at 10:00 am Uganda time on Saturday, October 31.

Otim has already had an opportunity to train at the competition venue at Saly Beach West, familiarising himself with the conditions ahead of his first time trial.

Uganda’s rowing coach, Batenga Nassozi, said the focus since the athletes arrived has been on rest, recovery and activation to ensure they are ready for competition.

“We’ve been able to do some work in here, and it’s great stuff,” Batenga said, referring to the facilities available at the Olympic Village.

She explained that the team had been using the gym to keep Otim active as he prepares for the challenge ahead.

National rower Elijah Namunyu, who recently returned from the World Championships, is also with the team as a boat handler. In coastal rowing, two people are needed to handle the boat: a coach and a boat handler.

His presence is intended to provide additional support to Otim, particularly through strength and conditioning, mobility work and the camaraderie needed to compete at this level.

Batenga said having Elijah alongside her would help ensure Otim receives the best possible support as he pursues a strong performance at the Games.

Swimmers await Pool clearance

Uganda’s swimmers, Zara Mbanga and Peyton Mary Suubi, are also preparing for their competitions, although their preparations have been affected by delays in accessing the swimming pool.

The organisers announced the cancellation of the morning training session scheduled for Friday, October 30, following an assessment that found the pool water temperature remained above the required standards.

Dakar 2026 said additional technical, medical and operational measures were needed before training could safely resume, emphasising that athlete health and safety remained the priority.

The organisers were working with the relevant teams to strengthen medical coverage, improve athlete monitoring, provide adequate hydration and cooling facilities, and review the precautions required for safe training.

Resumption of training was subject to a further assessment and confirmation in coordination with World Aquatics.

Uganda’s swimmers are expected to train on Saturday, October 31, after the pool conditions have been assessed and clearance given.

In the meantime, the pair have been using the gym to maintain their activity as they wait to get back into the water.

For Zara, who is also Uganda’s swimming team captain, the Olympic Village has offered a positive environment despite the absence of a pool.

“The Olympic Village is very nice. I like the food; the gym is very nice as well. All the facilities are very good,” she said.

“There’s no pool, which has really maybe affected us because we’re swimmers, so we need to swim. But it’s okay because there’s a gym.”

Zara also expressed excitement about reuniting with Suubi after a long period apart, describing her teammates as friendly and the atmosphere in the village as cheerful.

Suubi, meanwhile, is targeting personal bests and potentially national records.

“My expectations for this meet is to make PB, no PB, probably national records, and make my family and my country proud,” she said.

The swimmers begin their competitions on Sunday, November 1, with their immediate focus on maintaining readiness while awaiting confirmation that the pool is safe for training.

Ssebatindira leads Uganda’s Table Tennis charge

Table tennis player Joseph Ssebatindira has also been keeping active as he prepares for his opening match.

Ssebatindira worked out with badminton compatriot Ramiah Bukenya as part of his preparations, while also making use of the gym facilities available at the Olympic Village.

He will team up with Jemimah Nakawala in the mixed doubles competition on Saturday, October 31, with matches scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm EAT.

Nakawala has completed her Senior Four examinations and will join Ssebatindira as the pair begin their campaign at the Games.

The table tennis team will be looking to translate its preparations into competitive performances as the Games get underway.

Junior Rugby Cranes target medal push

Uganda’s junior Rugby Cranes sevens team has also arrived in Dakar and is preparing for its campaign.

Captain Shafik Okole said the players were settling into the environment and were focused on the task ahead, with hydration an important consideration in the hot weather.

“The boys are looking sharper, getting ready for tomorrow,” Okole said, expressing confidence in the team’s preparations.

He added that the squad was targeting victories in the group stages before making a push for a medal.

The team has been taking part in activities around the Games while preparing for the competition, with the players eager to represent Uganda and return home with a strong result.

Rugby, alongside badminton and swimming, begins on Sunday, November 1.

Coaches confident as Athletes settle in

Beyond the preparations on the field of play, the Olympic Village has provided athletes and coaches with facilities to support their readiness.

Batenga described the available facilities as impressive, noting that the athletes had been able to rest, access the gym and carry out activation sessions.

The food and general environment have also received positive feedback from members of the delegation, although the heat remains a challenge for some athletes.

Swimming coach Ezra Kalali said the athletes were coping well with the conditions and appeared happy and ready to compete.

The team’s objectives include reaching the finals and, if possible, returning home with at least one medal.

With competition beginning, the focus is now shifting from preparation to performance as Uganda’s young athletes prepare to test themselves against some of the world’s best emerging sporting talent.

Uganda’s Stella Chesang earns Olympic Diploma reallocation

Away from the immediate preparations in Dakar, Uganda has also received positive news following a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reallocate Olympic diplomas after revised results from previous Games.

Following the disqualification of Delvine Relin Meringor in the women’s marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Uganda’s Stella Chesang has been moved to seventh place, while Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter moves to eighth.

The IOC Executive Board approved the reallocation ahead of Dakar 2026, following the conclusion of the relevant disciplinary and appeal processes.

The revised standings mean Chesang’s performance at Paris 2024 is now officially recognised with a seventh-place finish.

As the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games begin, Team Uganda will be looking to turn its preparations into performances across its different disciplines.

With the Opening Ceremony set for Saturday evening, Uganda’s campaign is moving from preparation to action in Dakar.