Top federations will momentarily trade whistles and scoreboards for ballot papers today with rugby star Michael Wokorach and boxing's Shadir Musa Bwogi headlining a list of contenders in a tightly contested Uganda Olympic Committee athletes’ commission election.
In a process that draws together 34 Olympic and Commonwealth-affiliated federations, each sending two representatives, the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) will elect eight athlete representatives—four men and four women—to serve on its athletes’ commission.
These eight will later be joined by two members nominated by the UOC executive, bringing the final number to ten. From that group, a chairperson and secretary will be selected at a later date.
Outgoing chairperson Ganzi Mugula and secretary Leticia Namutebi, who have steered the commission since 2021, are both seeking re-election.
They now face formidable challengers, with Mugula competing among six male candidates and Namutebi standing in a crowded field of nine women.
For many delegates, today's ballot is a chance to weigh continuity against renewal.
The full cast of female candidates includes athletes from across Uganda’s Olympic disciplines: boxer Catherine Nanziri, sprinter Shida Leni, badminton’s Husina Kobugabe, swimmer Jamila Lunkuse, rugby’s Agnes Nakuya, archer Martha Kyokusiima, hockey player Desire Mukisa, and judoka Zubeda Talikaza, alongside Namutebi of handball.
The men’s race features Mugula and Bwogi, alongside Wokorach of rugby, Valentine Omiella from handball, judo’s Fred Ssekate, and archer Hamza Ndiwalana.
With only four spots available for each gender, delegates will have to make tough calls between experience, visibility, and representation across sports.
According to the UOC’s proposed agenda, today’s events will begin with registration and roll call, followed by remarks from the Second Vice President and a report from the outgoing chairperson, reviewing the commission’s performance over the last four years. Voting will then proceed under the watch of UOC electoral officials.
“These elections go beyond symbolism,” a UOC official noted on Friday.
“The athletes’ commission plays a vital role in keeping athlete voices central to how we plan, prepare, and prioritise as a sporting nation.”
Beyond the election, some eyes are also on the yet-to-be-named UOC media commission.
Unlike the athletes’ body, it will be appointed by the UOC President and executive at a later date—though that announcement is expected soon.
Still, the athletes’ ballot remains the day’s main event. For federations used to chasing medals, today they chase representation—choosing peers who will advocate for fair selection, proper preparation, mental health support, and stronger ties between players and policymakers.
With the likes of Wokorach and Bwogi in the running, and a trail of national and international accolades among the candidates, today’s vote is a contest of influence, visibility, and trust.
What remains to be seen is whether experience or fresh energy will carry the day.