PIBID/BIRDC Boosts Team Uganda’s Dakar 2026 Preparations with Nutrition Products.
As Team Uganda prepares to compete at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID), through the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre (BIRDC), has handed over nutrition products to support the athletes’ preparation, performance, and recovery.
The handover ceremony was attended by Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) President Dr Donald Rukare and National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel, underscoring the importance of collaboration in supporting Uganda’s young athletes ahead of the Games.
The contribution comes as Uganda prepares to field 25 athletes across seven sports at the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.
The nutrition support forms part of efforts to ensure that athletes are adequately prepared for the demands of international competition, recognising that proper nutrition, hydration and recovery are essential components of sporting performance.
Nutrition Beyond Competition
In her message to the athletes, Rev. Prof. Florence I. Muranga, Director General of PIBID/BIRDC and Nutrition Ambassador of the Uganda Olympic Committee/Commonwealth Games Uganda (UOC/CGU), congratulated Team Uganda on earning the opportunity to represent the country at the historic Games.
She described Dakar 2026 as a significant milestone for African sport, marking the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted on the continent.
Rev. Prof. Muranga encouraged the athletes to embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect while recognising the role of good nutrition in their sporting journeys.
As a food scientist and Nutrition Ambassador, she emphasised the importance of making nutrition an integral part of preparation, competition and recovery, encouraging athletes to follow guidance from their coaches, medical professionals and nutrition teams.
She further highlighted that healthy eating habits, adequate hydration and sufficient rest contribute not only to sporting performance but also to long-term health and wellbeing.
Using Sport to Promote Nutrition Education
Beyond supporting Team Uganda’s preparations for Dakar, PIBID/BIRDC continues to advance nutrition awareness through its *TOOKE Nutrition Legacy initiative*, which seeks to connect the inspiration of sport with nutrition education and improved wellbeing among children and young people.
The initiative particularly recognises the importance of reaching children in vulnerable circumstances and promoting access to knowledge that can help them grow, learn, play and realise their potential.
Rev. Prof. Muranga encouraged the athletes to become ambassadors of good nutrition within their schools, families and communities, using their experiences at the Youth Olympic Games to inspire healthier lifestyles among young people.
She also reminded the team that success at the Games should not be measured by medals alone, but through personal growth, resilience, fair play and the positive influence athletes have on others.
*“Compete with courage. Learn with curiosity. Return ready to inspire,”* she urged.
Strengthening Support for Team Uganda
The handover of nutrition products highlights the value of partnerships in athlete development and the growing recognition of nutrition as a key part of sporting success.
For the Uganda Olympic Committee, such support complements the work being undertaken by coaches, technical teams and sports federations to prepare young athletes for international competition.
As Uganda prepares for its fourth appearance at the Youth Olympic Games, the delegation will compete in Athletics, Rugby Sevens, Cycling, Rowing, Swimming, Badminton and Table Tennis.
The Dakar 2026 Games will also mark Uganda’s first participation in Rugby Sevens at the Youth Olympic Games, adding another milestone to the country’s growing presence on the international sporting stage.
The Uganda Olympic Committee appreciates PIBID/BIRDC and Rev. Prof. Florence I. Muranga for their continued commitment to athlete nutrition and wellbeing, and for supporting the development of the next generation of Ugandan sporting talent.
With preparations entering their final stages, Team Uganda heads to Dakar carrying the hopes of a nation, supported by partners committed to helping young athletes compete, learn and inspire.
