Uganda’s national teams have stepped up preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games after holding their first training sessions in Glasgow, Scotland, ahead of the start of competition on Friday.
The contingent settled into the Games Village following their arrival, after which athletes from various disciplines began fine-tuning their preparations for the opening ceremony and the start of competition.
The Uganda boxing team, the Bombers, held its first workout at the Kynoch Boxing Gym under the guidance of head coach Twaibu Mayanja and assistant coach Hassan Khalil. During the session, gym owner and local boxing agent Sam Kynoch shared words of encouragement and advice with the Ugandan fighters.
“The key word is discipline and hard work. If you do that, you never know I have a Uganda contact here called Lule,” Kynoch told the Bombers that the door to a professional stint is wide open.
Head coach Twaibu Mayanja expressed satisfaction with the team’s first session, saying the boxers had settled in well and were focused on the task ahead.
“The team has adjusted well after the journey. This first session was about loosening up, getting familiar with the environment, and preparing mentally and physically for the competition ahead,” Mayanja said.
The training session featured Ibrahim Khemis, Alfred Ojok, Angel Katushabe, Emily Nakalema, and team captain Nuhu Batte, who will be the first Ugandan boxer to step into the ring.
Batte opens Uganda’s boxing campaign on Friday in the men’s welterweight (65kg) Round of 32 against Nigeria’s Abdul Wahabu. The captain stated that he is ready for the challenge.
“We have prepared well for this moment. I’m confident in the work we’ve done, and I’m looking forward to giving my best and making Uganda proud,” Batte said.
The Bombers will continue their campaign on Saturday when light heavyweight Alfred Ojok takes on Niue’s Anitelea Launiu, while Ibrahim Khemis faces Zambia’s Albert Ngulube.
Away from the boxing ring, Uganda’s women’s 3×3 basketball team will begin its campaign on Friday with group-stage matches against Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Kenya.
Uganda will also have athletes competing in para-powerlifting, swimming, and para-swimming as the country’s quest for medals begins across multiple disciplines.
