The President of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and Common Wealth games Uganda (CGU) Dr. Donald Rukare outlined a detailed, forward-looking agenda for Ugandan sport, mapping the journey from current athlete selection and support systems through major international competitions, institutional reforms and long-term sustainability. This was during a new year press address, held last week at the Uganda Olympic committee offices in Lugogo.

Dr. Rukare started with highlighting the triumphs and challenges of 2025 “Our athletes continued to inspire the nation with their performances, embodying the values of excellence, friendship, and respect, our administrators, coaches and technical teams worked tirelessly to nurture talent, while our staff, administrators and partners ensured that the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC)/ Commonwealth Games Uganda (CGU) remains a beacon of integrity and progress. Together, we strengthened our programs through our vibrant commissions, expanded opportunities for youth participation including training of athletes through the Athletes Commission, and upheld the ideals that unite us under the Olympic and Commonwealth Movement.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the President said the UOC executive, commissions and staff will operate with renewed energy. Preparations are already underway to support athletes, in collaboration with national federations, to participate in several major competitions. Key among these is the Youth Olympics in Dakar and the Commonwealth Games scheduled for July 2026 in Glasgow, with the Chef de Mission already actively engaged. The first Commonwealth Delegation Meeting (CDM) is expected within the current quarter.

For Glasgow 2026, Uganda is targeting participation in 10 sports, including athletics, swimming, boxing, judo, netball, 3×3 basketball, weightlifting, and para sports such as para athletics, para powerlifting and para swimming.

Building on that the president explained the current athlete selection process, stressing that it is guided strictly by ranking and positioning rather than mere nomination. According to the President, the UOC is interfacing closely with international federations to ensure that selected athletes meet global qualification standards. At present, about five to seven athletes, mainly from boxing, cycling and athletics, have been identified as having a strong pathway to qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

“These athletes have a high chance of qualifying for LA 2028,” he said, adding that the committee will closely monitor their progress and wishes them well as they compete and prepare between now and 2028.

Before that, the UOC will hold its Annual General Assembly in March, tentatively set for 14 March. At this meeting, members will receive the 2025 activity report, financial statements, audited accounts, and be presented with the 2026 budget and calendar.

The President noted that the committee will continue implementing its strategic plan, alongside a review process to assess whether UOC remains on track. All commissions are expected to stay active, including gender, Olympism, marketing and legal commissions and others; each with clear targets and advisory roles.

He also addressed governance challenges faced by the UOC’s 34 member federations, many of which are still aligning with the new sports law, CAP 151. The National Council of Sports has granted extensions to some federations to address compliance gaps, and the UOC will continue supporting members through these transitional challenges.

On international youth engagement, preparations are ongoing for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. The President further revealed plans to host National Olympic Games in 2026, while maintaining a strong focus on long-term preparation for LA 2028, particularly through monitoring athletes on Olympic scholarships.

Domestically, the UOC is in the final stages of securing land to address the impending redevelopment of its current premises by the National Council of Sports. The acquisition of alternative land remains a priority.

In a wider global context, Dr. Rukare reflected on his election as President of Commonwealth Sport, describing it as a privilege and an opportunity to help shape the future of major games. He explained that since 2023, following the withdrawal of Victoria, Australia, from hosting the Commonwealth Games due to cost concerns, the global sports movement has been rethinking sustainability.

Under the new “Commonwealth Unite” strategy, the model has shifted away from imposing infrastructure requirements on host cities. Instead, host nations are encouraged to use existing facilities to avoid unsustainable “white elephant” projects. This approach influenced the decision for Glasgow 2026 to host 10 sports, using pre-existing venues from the 2014 Games, with only renovations and no new construction.

Looking further ahead, future Commonwealth Games, including those planned with India, are expected to feature 15 to 17 sports, as organisers seek an optimal balance between cost, relevance and athlete interest. Similar reforms are underway at the International Olympic Committee, with reductions expected in the Olympic sports programme under the “Fit for the Future” agenda.

Turning to anti-doping, the President confirmed the appointment of a new board for the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO) under the new law. While UOC currently still functions as NADO, a full transition is in progress, including staff recruitment, office establishment and regulatory alignment with WADA. An African NADO delegation is expected to visit Uganda from 29 to 31 January as part of the induction process. The president said.

He issued a strong warning to athletes, coaches and federations to avoid doping, citing recent cases and the serious risk of Uganda being placed on WADA’s red list, which carries severe international consequences.

On team and athlete support, the UOC outlined targeted assistance for athletics (especially short distances), cycling, boxing, and team sports such as 3×3 women’s basketball, with hopes that the men’s lacrosse team may also benefit in their LA 2028 qualification bid.

This was further emphasized by the administrator Uganda Olympic Committee Elijah Njawusi who detailed the IOC Olympic Scholarship Programme, which provides monthly support of USD 1,500 for female athletes and USD 1,125 for male athletes, running from September 2024 to August 2028. The scholarships are performance-based and closely monitored through evaluation reports. Athletes who miss out on scholarships may still benefit from continental support grants, provided they show a strong likelihood of qualification.

In closing, the President of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and Common Wealth games Uganda (CGU) Dr. Donald Rukare emphasised that all support is driven by one principle: targeted investment in athletes with a genuine chance of qualifying and performing at the highest level, ensuring Uganda’s presence and competitiveness on the global sporting stage. Echoing the Uganda Olympic committee and Commonwealth Games Uganda’s commitment to fostering unity and promoting the transformative power of sport across Uganda in the year 2026.