The British High Commission in Kampala has launched a Commonwealth Sport campaign celebrating shared values, Ugandan athletic excellence, and a historic milestone for African leadership in global sport.
The campaign highlights the unity and cooperation among the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, 2026. The Games are expected to bring together about 3,000 athletes from across the world.
Uganda will be among the participating nations, sending more than 50 athletes to compete in nine sporting disciplines. The team will feature world-class distance runners, para-athletes, boxers, and the She Cranes netball team, currently ranked sixth in the world.
“We chose to launch this campaign through a conversation rather than a ceremony because it’s about connections, shared ground, and the everyday interactions that make sport possible,” said Lisa Chesney, the British High Commissioner to Uganda.
Uganda has participated in the Commonwealth Games since 1954 and has competed in every edition except one. Over the past seven decades, Ugandan athletes have won 58 medals in athletics and boxing, with particular success in long-distance running.
Uganda has won the men’s 10,000 metres title at five consecutive Commonwealth Games. At the Birmingham 2022 Games, Jacob Kiplimo won gold in both the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres events, while Victor Kiplangat secured Uganda’s first-ever Commonwealth marathon gold medal.
Uganda’s sporting achievements now coincide with a landmark development in international sports leadership. In November 2025, Dr Donald Rukare, a Ugandan lawyer and sports administrator with more than three decades of experience, was elected President of Commonwealth Sport, becoming the first person from the African region to lead the organisation.
“This campaign is really about the athletes. Husnah Kukundakwe, who stepped onto the world stage at just 14 and became Uganda’s first para swimmer at a Commonwealth Games; Denis Mbaziira, Uganda’s first para powerlifter; and Jacob Kiplimo and Victor Kiplangat, who broke records and won gold at Birmingham 2022. Alongside Dr Don Rukare’s election as the first African President of Commonwealth Sport, they show why this moment matters,”
Lisa Chesney said.
“As the UK prepares to host the Games in Glasgow, we look forward to celebrating Ugandan excellence and the most inclusive Commonwealth Games to date,” she added.
Dr Donald Rukare emphasized the broader importance of sports in society.
“Sports in our society are more than competition; they are a powerful force for unity, health, and progress. They build character, bridge divides, and inspire young people to dream big,” he said.
“In Uganda, where cycling paths wind through vibrant communities and sports fields host athletes’ dreams, sports foster peace, empower athletes — especially women and girls — and drive national pride,” Dr Rukare added.
Glasgow 2026 Set to Be Most Inclusive Games Yet
Glasgow 2026 is expected to be the most inclusive Commonwealth Games in history. Para-sport has been fully integrated into the Games since Manchester 2002, making the Commonwealth Games the first major multi-sport event to adopt such an approach.
The Glasgow edition will feature 47 para-sport gold medal events across six sports, the largest integrated para-sport programme in Commonwealth Games history. For the first time, the opening medal of the Games will be awarded in a para-sport event — Para Powerlifting.
Uganda’s para-athletes are expected to play a central role in this historic moment. Husnah Kukundakwe made history as the youngest athlete to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at just 14 years old and later became Uganda’s first para swimmer to compete at a Commonwealth Games.
Denis Mbaziira, a polio survivor, also made history as the first Ugandan to represent the country in powerlifting at the Paralympic Games.
Both athletes symbolize the resilience, inclusivity, and determination that continue to define Ugandan sport.
Campaign Activities
The campaign will feature a blend of digital storytelling and high-profile events aimed at engaging government leaders, the business community, and young people across Uganda.
A weekly Athlete Spotlight Series will showcase the journeys and preparations of Ugandan athletes, including members of the She Cranes and the Uganda Paralympic Committee, ahead of Glasgow 2026.
On June 4, 2026, the British High Commission will host a Commonwealth Games Sports Day to promote the values of inclusion, unity, and celebration through sport.
The campaign will conclude with a high-profile send-off event for Uganda’s Commonwealth Games delegation during the King’s Birthday Party celebrations on June 10, 2026.
