The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) has announced that Uganda will be represented by 25 athletes at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Seven women and 18 men will head to Senegal for the first Olympic event ever held in Africa, competing across seven sports disciplines.
Team Uganda will pursue glory in Athletics, Badminton, Cycling Road, Coastal Beach Sprint Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Swimming, and Table Tennis.
Athletics, Uganda’s most successful discipline, features five middle- and long-distance runners carrying forward the nation’s proud tradition on the track.
The delegation will be led by Chef de Mission Lydia Gloria Ssanyu Dhamuzungu, Assistant General Secretary of the UOC.
“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,” she noted, adding: “The YOG are more than a competition; they are a celebration of the talent, determination, unity, and dreams of our people on the world stage. To the athletes: believe in yourselves, work hard, respect your opponents, and represent our country with courage and dignity.”
Runners Baskaline Cherotwo, Racheal Chelimo, Keren Chelimo, Michael Kibet, and Timothy Cheptoek will compete in events ranging from the 800m to the 3000m, including the 2000m Steeplechase. The quintet, currently training in Kapchorwa, is coached by Ziana Chetoyek.
On the road, cyclist Ali Ssali, coached by Ishaka Bukenya, will compete in the men’s road race and individual time trial.
On the water, rower Marcel Otim, coached by Batenga Nakisozi, will compete in the Men’s Solo Coastal (C1x) Beach Sprints.
In swimming, Coach Ezra Kalali takes charge of a team comprising Mary Peyton Suubi, Marie Mbanga, Mark Arthur Mwase, and Peterson Inhensiko. The four will compete in a combined total of 13 individual events.
Ramiah Bukenya, coached by William Kabindi, will compete in the women’s badminton singles, while coach Alvin Katumba will lead Jemimah Nakawala and Joseph Sebatindira in table tennis singles and mixed doubles.
Finally, Rugby Sevens coach Peter Ochol has named an 11-man squad: Victor Ampiire, Bonamy Bwambale, Trey Rugamba Gateja, Jeremiah Iragaba, Sanyu Katushabe, Moses Kibeti, Deogracious Muliira, Shafik Okole, Abdulrahman Ongima, Almadi Otema, and James Ssebuufu.
