We will translate the big numbers into many medals, Commonwealth games bound Team Uganda Promise

By John Kusolo

Uganda is fielding the biggest ever number of competitors to the Commonwealth Games that has 80 athletes and 40 officials. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Uganda will be represented in 11 sports disciplines of Squash, netball, rugby, swimming, para-swimming, Table Tennis, Badminton, Wrestling, Cycling, Boxing and Athletics.

In Gold coast 2018, Uganda produced 2 champions Joshua Cheptegei(5000 and 10000m ) and Stella Cheasng(10000m). Mercilyn Chelangat won 10000m bronze while Solomon Mutai clinched marathon silver. Off the track, Uganda’s other medal came from boxer Juma Miiro capping up the most successful outing for Uganda so far at the games.

The Commonwealth Games XXII will run from 28th July – 8th August 2022 in Birmingham, UK

The President of Uganda His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially flagged off the national teams for the 22nd edition of the Commonwealth games .The official flag off ceremony was held at Kololo Independence ceremonial grounds in Kampala on Monday, July 11, 2022. The president urged the delegation upon working diligently to represent their country with honour.

Meanwhile, the minister of Education and Sports, also the first lady Janet Museveni urged the sportsmen on discipline and fronting the spirit of patriotism. “Stay with discipline, focus and the spirit of patriotism. You should remain disciplined at all times” Janet Museveni emphasized.

The team Captain is Micheal Okoroach, a rugby player was grateful to the Government of Uganda for the support as he vowed to lead gallantly. “I am honoured to be appointed captain of team Uganda once again after the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. I will use my experience to lead the team. I thank the Government for the support, UOC and National Council of Sports as well as the mother sports associations. We have prepared well and ready to die a little for the country” Okoroach, also captain of the national rugby 7’s team stated.

In his address, Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) president Donald Rukare emphasized the value of sports to the nation and called for more sports infrastructure to be set up.

NCS chairperson Ambrose Tashobya, like the rest of the speakers outlined the enormous value of such international sports competitions to the tourism sector and image of the entire country.

Chef de mission of team Uganda to Birmingham Moses Mwase assured the country that with the smooth preparations held, the country expects to better her performance from the last Commonwealth Games held where Uganda finished with 6 medals.

“We are well prepared and expect to perform better from the last time we travelled for the Commonwealth Games” Mwase vowed. Team Uganda Delegation:

Swimming:

• Athletes: Avice Meya, Kirabo Namutebi, Ambala Atuhaire, Tendo Mukalazi
• Officials: Tonnie Kasujja, Mary Kezia Wairimu

Para-swimming:

• Athlete: Husnah Kukundakwe
• Official: Patience Batamuriza

Cycling:

• Athletes: Charles Kagimu, Rachel Nakyanzi
• Officials: Sam Muwonge, Ishaka Bukenya

Squash:

• Athletes: Micheal Raymond Kawooya, Paul Kasirye Kadoma
• Official: Ian Kajubu Rukunya

Badminton:

• Players: Brian Kasirye, Daniel Wanagalya, Friday Atama, Fadillah Shamika, Husinah Kobugabe, Tracy Naluwooza, Kenneth Mwambu, Rajab Natasha
• Officials: William Kabindi, Annet Nakamya

Wrestling:

• Athletes: Veronica Ayo, Jacob Ntuyo
• Officials: Shamim Nakayenga, Ivan Masakwe

Weight-Lifting:

• Athletes: Davis Niyoyita, Godfrey Baligeya, Mubarak Musoke Kivumbi
• Officials: Khasimu Nsubuga, Sam Lubinga, Salim Musoke Ssenkungu, Miesa Musoke Nansikombi, Willy Jjagwe, Haula Musoke, Shakira Nantaba

Table Tennis:

• Athletes: Florence Seera, Parvin Nangonzi, Jemimah Nakawala, Rita Nakhumitsa
• Officials: Robert Jjagwe (Uganda Table Tennis Association president), Jude Mutete (Head coach)

Boxing:

• Athletes: Teddy Nakimuli, Jonah Kyobe, Isaac Zebra Ssenyange, Yusuf Nkobeza, Joshua Tukamuhebwa, Owen Kibira
• Officials: Patrick Lihanda (Coach IBA – Star 1), Twaib Mayanja (Coach IBA – Star 1), Moses Muhangi (IBA – ITO), Simon Barigo

Athletics:

• Athletes: Abu Mayanja Salim, Haron Adoli, Pius Adome, Linet Chebet Toroitich, Sarah Chelangat, Victor Kiplangat, Peruth Chemutai, Mercycline Chelangat, Stella Chesang, Tom Dradriga, Jacent Nyamahunge, Emmanuel Orim, Joyce Josephine Lalam, Halima Nakaayi, Winnie Nanyondo, Benson Okot, Shida Leni, Emmanuel Otim, Jacob Kiplimo, Joshua Kiprui Cheptegi
• Officials: Benjamin Njia, Paul Okello, Barbara Christine Asiimwe, Davis Mawerere Namayo, Susan Laker, Francis Demayi, Lawrence Kavuma, Dominic Otucet, Beatrice Nekesa, Benjamin Longiros, Timothy Masaba

Rugby Sevens:

• Athletes: Micheal Okorach, Isaac Massanganzira, Arnold Ian Munyani, Philip Wokorach, Adrian Kasito, Timothy Kisiga, Desira Ruhweza Ayera, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, William Ampeire Nkore, Nobert Sexton Okeny, Alex Aturinda, Karim Arinaitwe, Levis Ocen, Ivan Otema
• Officials: Tolbert Omolo Onyango, Samuel Asiimwe Rwakijuma, Michael Wandera, Timothy Mudoola Muwumba

Netball:

• Athletes (Final 12 yet to be confirmed): Peace Proscovia, Mary Nubba Cholhok, Irene Eyaru, Shadia Ssegujja Nassanga, Muhammed Haniisha Nakaate, Norah Lunkuse, Jesca Achan, Margaret Baagala, Alice Wasagali, Shaffie Nalwanja, Joan Nampungu, Sandra Ruth Nambirige, Stella Oyella, Viola Asingo, Rosette Namutebi, Conchepta Desiree Birungi

Officials: Sarah Babirye Kityo, Fred Tabale Mugerwa, Sarah Namuddu, Charles Baliise Kirunda, Francia Banya

Technical Team:

Prossy Namusisi, Kisolo Muwanga, Shadiah Nakamanya, Sarah Chelangat, Shakira Mutesi, Arthur Nuwagaba, John Ssentamu Commonwealth Games Association Uganda

Executive Committee:

Donald Rukare, Moses Benon Mwase, Dunstan Nsubuga, Beatrice Ayikoru, Annie Mungoma, Lydia Gloria Dhamuzungu, Ganzi Mugula, Abdul Nasser Sserunjoji, Sadik Nasiwu, Aisha Kagere, Godwin Kayangwe