Team Uganda’s 25 Athletes Ready for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
Uganda’s 25 athletes are set to join thousands of young competitors from across the world for the official opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, marking the beginning of the fourth edition of the global youth sporting event.
The ceremony will take place at the 50,000-capacity Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, Senegal, which will also host the football and archery competitions.
Uganda is among the participating nations at the Games, with its delegation competing in seven sports: Athletics, Rugby Sevens, Cycling, Rowing, Swimming, Badminton and Table Tennis.
Several members of Team Uganda have already arrived in the Games Village, including table tennis player and team captain Joseph Ssebatindira, rower Marcel Otim, and the national rugby team led by head coach Peter Ochol.
The swimming contingent, comprising Zara Marie Mbanga, Peterson Inhensiko and Peyton Mary Suubi, also joined the team alongside coach Ezekeri Kalali. Arthur Mwase and Jemimah Nakawala arrived later after completing their academic commitments.
As part of the welcome arrangements, athletes received Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition smartphones courtesy of Worldwide Olympic Partner Samsung.
Attention will now turn to the competition schedule, with Marcel Otim, Jemimah Nakawala and Joseph Ssebatindira among the Ugandan athletes expected to begin their campaigns on Sunday in Rowing and Table Tennis.
Uganda’s Chief de Mission, Lydia Gloria Dhamuzungu, expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, noting that the early arrival of several athletes had provided valuable time to settle into the Games environment and adjust to the conditions in Dakar.
The athletics team is expected to arrive on November 5, with its competitions scheduled to take place from November 8 to 11.
Uganda heads into Dakar 2026 with a history of participation in all three previous editions of the Youth Olympic Games. The country has collected four medals: two bronze, one silver and one gold.
The gold medal was secured by Sarah Chelangat in the women’s 3,000 metres at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games, adding to Uganda’s growing presence on the international youth sporting stage.
With the opening ceremony ushering in the competition, Team Uganda will be looking to translate its preparations into strong performances, showcase the country’s emerging sporting talent and build on its Youth Olympic Games legacy.
