The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) has officially named a 25-member team to represent the country at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, marking Uganda’s participation in the first Olympic event to be held on African soil.
The team comprises seven female and 18 male athletes who will compete in seven disciplines: athletics, badminton, road cycling, coastal beach sprints, rugby sevens, swimming and table tennis.
The announcement sets the stage for a significant opportunity for Uganda’s young athletes to showcase their talent on the international stage, as they join competitors from across the world at the historic Games.
Leading the Ugandan delegation as Chef de Mission will be Lydia Gloria Ssanyu Dhamuzungu, the Assistant General Secretary of the Uganda Olympic Committee.
Dhamuzungu has called upon Ugandans to rally behind the young athletes as they prepare for the competition, emphasising that the Youth Olympic Games represent more than just sporting achievement.
“As our young athletes prepare to represent the Pearl of Africa at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, let us support, encourage and celebrate them. The Youth Olympic Games are more than a competition; they are a celebration of the talent, determination, unity and dreams of our people on the world stage,” she said.
She also urged the athletes to believe in themselves, work hard, respect their opponents and represent Uganda with courage and dignity.
Athletics will have five representatives, with the team featuring a combination of middle- and long-distance runners expected to carry Uganda’s rich tradition in distance running onto the global stage.
The squad comprises Baskaline Cherotwo, Racheal Chelimo, Keren Chelimo, Michael Kibet and Timothy Cheptoek.
Cherotwo will compete in the women’s 1500m, while Racheal Chelimo takes on the 2000m steeplechase and Keren Chelimo the women’s 3000m. In the men’s events, Kibet will compete in the 2000m steeplechase, while Cheptoek will contest the 800m.
The five athletes have been training in Kapchorwa under coach Ziana Chetoyek as they prepare for the challenge in Dakar.
Swimming will also have a notable presence, with four athletes set to compete in a combined 13 individual events under the guidance of coach Ezra Kalali.
Mary Peyton Suubi and Marie Mbanga will represent Uganda in the women’s events, while Mark Arthur Mwase and Peterson Inhensiko will compete in the men’s category.
Suubi will participate in the 400m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 200m breaststroke. Mbanga is entered in the 50m and 200m breaststroke as well as the 200m individual medley.
Mwase will compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle, while Inhensiko is scheduled to participate in the 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly.
The quartet will have an opportunity to test themselves against some of the world’s promising young swimmers in what will be an important international experience.
Rugby Sevens will be Uganda’s largest team at the Games, with 11 players selected for the men’s tournament.
Coach Peter Ochol has named Victor Ampiire, Bonamy Bwambale, Trey Rugamba Gateja, Jeremiah Iragaba, Sanyu Katushabe, Moses Kibeti, Deogracious Muliira, Shafik Okole, Abdulrahman Ongima, Almadi Otema and James Ssebuufu.
The squad will carry Uganda’s hopes in the fast-paced discipline, which demands speed, teamwork and tactical discipline.
Uganda’s representation will extend to four other disciplines, with individual athletes and pairs taking on the challenge in Dakar.
In road cycling, Ali Ssali will compete in the men’s road race and individual time trial under coach Ishaka Bukenya.
Marcel Otim will represent Uganda in coastal rowing, competing in the men’s solo C1x beach sprints under the guidance of coach Batenga Nakisozi.
Badminton will have one representative in Ramiah Bukenya, who will compete in the women’s singles, with William Kabindi serving as her coach.
In table tennis, Jemimah Nakawala and Joseph Sebatindira will represent Uganda in the women’s and men’s singles, respectively. The pair will also combine in the mixed doubles competition under coach Alvin Katumba.
The Youth Olympic Games provide a platform for emerging athletes to compete at a high level, interact with their peers from different countries and experience the Olympic movement.
For Uganda, the Games will also offer an opportunity to showcase the country’s emerging sporting talent across a range of disciplines beyond its traditional strengths.
As preparations continue, the focus will be on ensuring that the young athletes are ready to embrace the challenge and make the most of their opportunity to represent the Pearl of Africa.