The British High Commissioner pledged close support to Team Uganda as the country ramps up preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Team Uganda’s build-up to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games got a high-level boost on Tuesday after the British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney, promised sustained support for the athletes.
Speaking during the official launch of Uganda’s Commonwealth Games campaign at the British Commissioner’s residence in Kampala, Chesney said she plans to meet Ugandan athletes and para-athletes in the coming weeks.. She also indicated she will join training sessions and spend time with the She Cranes as the country targets the Games scheduled for July 23 to August 2.
That kind of direct engagement matters because Commonwealth Games preparation often depends on consistent momentum and confidence, especially for athletes balancing training demands and broader national expectations.
The launch drew a mix of sports stakeholders, including leaders from sports federations, officials from the National Council of Sports (NCS), representatives of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), and athletes.. Chesney used the moment to point to Glasgow 2026’s emphasis on inclusion, noting the Games’ integrated approach to para-sport.
She said Glasgow 2026 is expected to stage a large para-sport programme, framing it as a landmark step since para-sport was more fully integrated into the Commonwealth Games in 2002.. Chesney also highlighted Ugandan para-athletes, including swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe and powerlifter Denis Mbaziira, as examples of the talent Uganda has produced over recent years.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s sports leadership presented the campaign as a readying phase moving quickly toward the Games.. Donald Rukare, speaking alongside Chesney at the launch, said the country is well prepared and described preparations as being in “high gear” ahead of Uganda’s return to Glasgow after more than a decade.
Rukare said Uganda plans to send a contingent made up of 53 athletes to compete in 10 disciplines. He referenced participation across events including athletics, boxing, netball, swimming, cycling, and weightlifting, while also noting the inclusion of para-athletes in the team.
For athletes, these announcements can tighten focus ahead of competition, because selection plans and early clarity on disciplines shape how training schedules are built and how performance targets are set.
As the campaign moves from launch into full training, the British envoy’s promise of hands-on involvement adds a visible layer of external support to Uganda’s Commonwealth Games push. The next step for Team Uganda is turning that backing into results once the Games begin in Glasgow.