Team Uganda Flagged Off for ANOCA Zone V Youth Games in Kenya
Team Uganda has been officially flagged off ahead of the second edition of the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games, scheduled for August 24–28, 2026, at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Ugandan delegation will compete across seven sporting disciplines, including 3×3 basketball, cycling, athletics, judo, swimming, beach volleyball and tennis, with the competition providing an important platform for young athletes to gain international experience and prepare for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) President and ANOCA Zone V President Donald Rukare emphasised the importance of the youth games in developing Uganda’s next generation of athletes.
“These youth games provide an important breeding ground and preparation ground for our young people,” Rukare said. He explained that while some athletes have already qualified for Dakar, others are hoping to use the Zone V Games to strengthen their preparation and progress towards qualification.
Rukare also highlighted the competitiveness of ANOCA Zone V, which brings together 11 countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Egypt, Eritrea, Tanzania, Burundi, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan. He noted that the strong sporting traditions within the region, particularly in athletics and cycling, will provide Ugandan athletes with a valuable test of their ability.
The games are also expected to strengthen the development of youth sport across the region and contribute to making Zone V more active and competitive both on and off the field of play.
As part of the flag-off ceremony, the athletes received nutritional packages from TOOKE, the UOC’s nutritional partner. Professor Florence Muranga, Director of the Presidential Initiative for Biodiversity Research (PBID), encouraged the young athletes to proudly represent Uganda, perform to the best of their abilities and return home with medals.
The support is intended to complement the athletes’ preparation by providing nutritional products as they take on the demanding regional competition.
Team captain Mwesigwa Grace Shivan expressed confidence in the squad’s preparations and ambition to deliver strong results for Uganda.
“We know we are going to perform better, bring medals to Uganda and make our country very proud,” Shivan said, highlighting the experience many of the athletes have gained through school competitions, regional events and training across East Africa.
Judo player Abdulhakim Otimrwoti echoed the team’s determination, saying the three-member judo squad was ready to represent Uganda with “spirit and power” and fight for strong results in Nairobi.
For Uganda, the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games represent more than a regional competition. They are an important stepping stone in the development of young athletes, offering them the opportunity to compete against some of the best emerging talent in the region while gaining the experience required for the international stage.
With Dakar 2026 on the horizon, Team Uganda heads to Nairobi with a clear mission: to compete strongly, gain valuable experience, fly the Ugandan flag with pride and return home with medals.
