Uganda will send a 25-member team to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with the country set to make its mark at the first Olympic event staged on African soil.
The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) has selected seven female and 18 male athletes to compete in seven disciplines—athletics, badminton, road cycling, coastal beach sprints, rugby sevens, swimming and table tennis.
UOC Assistant General Secretary Lydia Gloria Ssanyu Dhamuzungu will lead the delegation as Chef de Mission and has urged Ugandans to rally behind the young athletes.
“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,” Dhamuzungu said.
Rugby Sevens accounts for the largest contingent, with 11 players selected for the men’s competition.
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.
Athletics will have five representatives, led by Baskaline Cherotwo, who will compete in the women’s 1500m.
Racheal Chelimo runs the 2000m steeplechase, Keren Chelimo the 3000m, Michael Kibet the men’s 2000m steeplechase and Timothy Cheptoek the 800m.
The athletes have been preparing in Kapchorwa under coach Ziana Chetoyek.
Swimming contributes four athletes—Mary Peyton Suubi, Marie Mbanga, Mark Arthur Mwase and Peterson Inhensiko—with the quartet entered in 13 individual events under coach Ezra Kalali.
Road cyclist Ali Ssali, badminton player Ramiah Bukenya and coastal beach sprinter Marcel Otim complete the individual disciplines, while table tennis players Jemimah Nakawala and Joseph Sebatindira will compete in singles and mixed doubles.
“For the first time, the Youth Olympic Games are coming to Africa, and we are very happy for our colleagues in Senegal.
As Team Uganda, we look forward to participating in these Games.
For some of our athletes, this could be a stepping stone and an opportunity to measure themselves as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.” — Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare.
For Uganda’s emerging athletes, Dakar offers more than medals: it is an opportunity to gain elite international experience and compete within the Olympic movement at a historic continental event.
