National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel has challenged Team Uganda to uphold discipline, integrity and accountability as the country prepares for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
Ogwel delivered the message while flagging off the delegation, which comprises 25 athletes, seven officials and 11 coaches drawn from seven sporting disciplines ahead of the Games scheduled for October 31 to November 13.
“Discipline is paramount. There should be no cases of athletes disappearing from the delegation, and everyone must respect their teammates, coaches, officials and opponents.
We also expect strict adherence to anti-doping regulations, with no involvement in competition manipulation or betting-related malpractice,” Ogwel cautioned.
Uganda will field seven female and 18 male athletes in athletics, badminton, road cycling, coastal beach sprints, rugby sevens, swimming and table tennis.
Rugby sevens will provide the largest contingent, with 11 players selected for the men’s competition under coach Peter Ochol.
The squad includes 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 has five representatives, with Baskaline Cherotwo, Racheal Chelimo, Keren Chelimo, Michael Kibet and Timothy Cheptoek set to compete in middle- and long-distance events.
The team has been preparing in Kapchorwa under coach Ziana Chetoyek.
Swimming contributes four athletes: Mary Peyton Suubi, Marie Mbanga, Mark Arthur Mwase and Peterson Inhensiko, who will compete across multiple individual events under coach Ezra Kalali.
Uganda’s other representatives are Ali Ssali in road cycling, Marcel Otim in coastal beach sprints, Ramiah Bukenya in women’s badminton singles, and Jemimah Nakawala and Joseph Sebatindira in table tennis singles and mixed doubles.
The delegation will be led by Chef de Mission Lydia Gloria Ssanyu Dhamuzungu, Assistant General Secretary of the Uganda Olympic Committee.
Beyond the competition, the Dakar Games offer Uganda’s emerging athletes an opportunity to gain international experience, measure themselves against the world’s best young talent and develop within the Olympic movement.
