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Uganda Marks Commonwealth Day with Youth Engagement and Preparations for Glasgow 2026
By Grace Joyce Kemigisa
Uganda joined the rest of the Commonwealth in celebrating Commonwealth Day with a vibrant event hosted at The Olive School in Namugongo, bringing together students, partners, and sports leaders to reflect on shared values while inspiring the next generation of athletes and environmental stewards.
The celebrations were led by Dr. Donald Rukare, President of the Commonwealth Sport and Commonwealth Games Uganda. Speaking at the event, Rukare highlighted the importance of Commonwealth Day as an opportunity for member nations to celebrate their shared heritage, cooperation, and commitment to development through sport and community initiatives.
“Commonwealth Day is a day that we take aside to celebrate our common legacy and heritage across the Commonwealth family,” he said, noting that the day brings together more than 70 national territories under shared ideals of unity and collaboration.
This year’s celebration emphasized environmental responsibility, with students actively participating in activities focused on cleaning their surroundings and raising awareness about protecting waterways. The theme resonated strongly with the young participants, who demonstrated enthusiasm for keeping their environment clean while also learning about the values promoted by the Commonwealth.
The event was supported by several partners including the Little Hands Greening Initiative, Tooke Uganda, and the Presidential Initiative. A key highlight was the presence of Prof. Muranga, CEO of Tooke, who also serves as a nutrition ambassador for Commonwealth Games Uganda.
Beyond environmental activities, the celebration also featured sport, giving students a taste of the Commonwealth Games experience. Learners took part in mini competitions in disciplines such as 3×3 Basketball, Athletics, and Lawn Bowls, reflecting the diversity of sports contested at the Commonwealth Games. The activities not only encouraged participation but also helped students connect with the values of teamwork, discipline, and healthy competition.
Earlier in the day, students also participated in a quiz about the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, demonstrating impressive knowledge about the event and Uganda’s expected participation.
Speaking about Uganda’s readiness for the Commonwealth Games 2026, Rukare expressed optimism about the country’s preparations and the prospects for its athletes. According to him, Uganda is assembling a competitive team across several sports disciplines.
So far, Uganda has already secured qualification for team events including Netball and women’s 3×3 Basketball. Additional athletes are expected to qualify in Weightlifting, while preparations are ongoing in sports such as Cycling, Swimming, and Athletics.
Uganda anticipates sending a delegation of between 40 and 60 members to the Games, including both able-bodied and para-athletes. The Games are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 2, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland.
Rukare emphasized that the athletes are currently in training and urged them to remain focused as they prepare to compete on the international stage.
A significant part of Uganda’s preparation strategy includes improving athlete nutrition. Commonwealth Games Uganda recently entered into a partnership with Tooke, a local initiative that produces high-energy, nutritious foods made from bananas and other locally sourced ingredients.
Tooke offers a variety of products including porridge, cakes, biscuits, flour, and scones, which provide the high carbohydrate and energy levels required for athletes in training and competition. Rukare described the partnership as a natural fit, noting that such locally produced nutrition solutions will play an important role in fueling Ugandan athletes for both the Commonwealth Games and future Olympic competitions.
As nutrition ambassador, Prof. Muranga will help promote proper dietary practices among athletes while supporting the integration of Tooke products into sports nutrition programs.
For organizers, the Commonwealth Day celebration was not only about marking the occasion but also about inspiring young people. By combining environmental action, education, and sport, the event sought to nurture future athletes and ambassadors for both Uganda and the Commonwealth.
Many of the students who participated in the activities could one day represent the country at major international competitions.
“We hope many of these young people will become future athletes and ambassadors—not just for sport, but also for a clean environment and the unity that sport brings,” Rukare said.
With strong youth engagement and steady preparations underway, Uganda is looking ahead with confidence as it prepares to compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
