The rewards have by no means been larger for Team Uganda, because the nation’s most interesting athletes put together to compete on the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The authorities of Uganda has raised the inducement bar, asserting that each athlete who wins a gold medal will obtain Shs100 million, silver medallists Shs50 million, and bronze medallists Shs30 million, along with the month-to-month stipends already authorized for medal winners in main worldwide competitions.
The announcement made by State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, set the tone throughout the official flag-off ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at Mestil Hotel, Nsambya, Kampala, on Wednesday.
Addressing the athletes earlier than inviting the Prime Minister to formally flag off the group, Ogwang challenged Team Uganda to journey to Scotland with one mission—profitable medals.
“We are usually not contributors; we’re rivals,” the minister declared.
“Under the steering of our Minister of Education and Sports, whoever wins a gold medal for Uganda will earn Shs100 million. A silver medal will earn Shs50 million, whereas a bronze medal will earn Shs30 million.”
He additional reminded the athletes that medal winners on the Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games and African Games are additionally entitled to month-to-month authorities stipends of Shs5 million for gold, Shs3 million for silver, and Shs1 million for bronze, describing the package deal as an illustration of the federal government’s dedication to rewarding sporting excellence.
With the athletes, coaches, federation leaders and sports activities directors gathered at Mestil Hotel, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja formally flagged off Team Uganda, wishing the contingent success as they embark on the journey to Glasgow.
Uganda will likely be making its sixteenth look on the Commonwealth Games, having first competed in 1954 when the nation was nonetheless a British Protectorate.
This 12 months’s contingent includes 55 athletes supported by 30 officers, who will compete in 9 sporting disciplines, together with athletics, boxing, netball, swimming, para swimming, para powerlifting, weightlifting, judo, monitor biking and three×3 basketball.
Minister Ogwang assured the nation that the Government had absolutely financed Team Uganda’s participation in Glasgow.
He revealed that preparations had included intensive residential coaching camps in Kampala, Namboole, Kapchorwa and different places, whereas athletes primarily based in Kenya and the United States would hyperlink up with the group instantly in Scotland.
Government help contains air tickets, athletes’ allowances, medical personnel, logistical help and all operational necessities mandatory for the group’s participation.
Accommodation and meals for the official delegation will likely be absolutely catered for by the Commonwealth Games Federation, with athletes staying in designated Games resorts moderately than the standard Games Village.
National Council of Sports General Secretary Dr Bernard Ogwel disclosed that the federal government had already fulfilled all monetary commitments in the direction of the group’s preparations.
He stated federations had obtained full funds allocations throughout the earlier monetary 12 months, with extra funding offered for the ultimate phases of preparations, together with athlete coaching allowances over the past a number of weeks.
Ogwel additionally confirmed that athletes would obtain a minimal each day facilitation allowance of US$300, following authorities directives launched after the Paris Olympic Games.
The funds, he defined, could be deposited instantly into athletes’ accounts earlier than competitors.
He additional revealed that Team Uganda’s official competitors equipment had arrived and distribution could be accomplished earlier than departure, whereas ceremonial apparel was already prepared for journey.
“We have offered all of the logistics and due to this fact anticipate full participation and powerful competitors from Team Uganda,” Ogwel stated.
Uganda heads to Glasgow decided to enhance on a formidable Commonwealth Games historical past; since debuting in 1954, the nation has collected 58 Commonwealth Games medals comprising 19 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze medals, largely via athletics and boxing.
Sports leaders imagine the Glasgow group has the standard to surpass that achievement. Speaking on behalf of Commonwealth Sport Uganda, Moses Mwase praised the federal government for investing closely in preparations and expressed confidence that the athletes would ship even higher outcomes.
He famous that the contingent would compete throughout 9 disciplines and inspired each athlete to grab what he described as a once-in-a-lifetime alternative to signify the nation on one of many world’s largest sporting phases.
Team Uganda captain and para swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe assured Ugandans that the athletes had been absolutely ready and desperate to signify the nation with distinction.
She thanked the National Council of Sports, coaches, technical groups, federation officers, dad and mom and help employees whose contribution had made the journey to Glasgow doable.
“We are actually ready, tremendous excited and carrying a number of vitality into these Games to carry out to the easiest of our potential,” she stated, promising that the group would do every part doable to make Uganda proud.
British Deputy High Commissioner Tiffany Kirlew congratulated Team Uganda and described sport as one of many strongest pillars of the partnership between Uganda and the United Kingdom.
She highlighted Glasgow 2026’s dedication to inclusion, noting that able-bodied athletes and para-athletes would compete facet by facet, with the primary medal of the Games set to be awarded in a para-sport occasion.
Kirlew praised Uganda’s tradition of inclusion and wished the group success, assuring the athletes that each Ugandans and their British hosts could be cheering them all through the Games.
National Council of Sports Chairman Ambrose Tashobya counseled the federal government for offering unprecedented help to Uganda’s athletes, saying the extent of facilitation provided for Glasgow exceeded earlier Commonwealth Games campaigns.
He urged the athletes to compete with pleasure and willpower, reminding them that they carried the hopes of a complete nation.
Team Uganda will journey to Scotland on the twentieth July 2026, with the primary video games set for twenty third July 2026.
