Secures Spot for Glasgow 2026; Embraces Clean Sport and Sustainability Mandate
The Uganda Gymnastics Federation (UGF) continues to advance its mission on the national sports stage. Our representatives, President Harriet Aya, General Secretary Emilly Donia and Head of Trampoline Tabitha Ameso, were in attendance at the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and Commonwealth Games Uganda (CGU) Council Meeting held on October 11, 2025, at the UOC Offices. The meeting provided key updates on exciting new opportunities for the gymnastics community. Here are the key takeaways from the UOC/CGU Council Meeting and what they mean for the future of gymnastics in Uganda.
Gymnastics on the Global Stage: The Road to Glasgow 2026 and Dakar 2026
We are thrilled to confirm that Gymnastics is officially on the country’s path to major international competitions!
Glasgow 2026: Uganda is set to participate in eight of the ten sports at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland from 23 July to 2 August 2026, with Gymnastics (Artistic) confirmed as one of the featured sports. This is a massive opportunity for our elite artistic gymnasts to represent the nation on a world-class platform.
Dakar 2026: Preparations are also ongoing for the 4th Youth Olympic Games (YOG) scheduled for Dakar, Senegal, from October 31st to November 13th, 2026. The Games will feature twenty-five (25) sport codes.
Mandatory Compliance: Clean Sport is Our Priority
A major theme of the Council Meeting was the uncompromising stance on clean sport, driven by the newly appointed National Anti-doping Organization (NADO) Board.
* WADA Compliance: The NADO Chair emphasized that it is in the interest of all federations and associations to comply with the WADA code to protect the careers of our athletes.
* Participation Condition: UOC/CGU President, Donald Rukare, clearly stated that the country’s participation in major events, including the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, is conditional on full compliance with the WADA Code.
* The UGF is committed to working closely with the new NADO Board, who indicated a need to meet with all National Federations soon. The UGF is fully committed to this mandate and will ensure our technical teams, coaches and athletes receive the necessary education and comply with all testing and anti-doping regulations.
Strengthening Our Talent Identification (TID) Pathway
A strong national team starts with a robust development system. The UOC is increasing its support for athlete development, which directly benefits our gymnasts. The meeting highlighted the urgent need to formalize our athlete pathways:
* Immediate Action Required: The Secretariat reported that only Rugby and Cycling had submitted their annual calendars to the TID Commission. The UGF is prioritizing the immediate submission of our calendar to the TID Commission to ensure our talent development pipeline is recognized and supported by the national TID strategy.
* Data and Pathways: The UOC Chair stressed the need for each Federation/Association to have a technical person dedicated to providing information/data on athletes and their pathways to the next level of games. We are working to enhance our technical structure to meet this requirement.
* Athlete365+ Workshops: It was reported that UGF members were among the attendees from all 34 federations and associations that participated in the Athlete365+ career development workshops. These programs are vital for preparing our athletes for life both during and after their sporting careers.
Boosting the UGF Brand Visibility
To increase visibility and attract essential partnerships, the UOC’s Marketing Commission is developing new strategies, including:
* A Sports Bazaar: The Chair shared the idea of organizing a bazaar for sports where each federation/association could display their product. The UGF is excited about this opportunity to showcase the dynamism and diverse disciplines of gymnastics to the public, media, and potential partners, addressing the need to improve publicity and attract partnerships.
* Increased Media Presence: The Secretariat is expanding its media efforts, including developing a monthly newsletter (pedia) and increasing social media to share and grow the brand of the UOC/CGU and its members.
* Media Outreach: To improve publicity and attract partnerships, the UOC requested that federations share short videos with the Secretariat to grow the brand of UOC/CGU and its members. We encourage all UGF clubs, coaches and athletes to share exciting content as we continue to push the boundaries of gymnastics in Uganda.
Championing Sustainability and Climate Action
The UGF is committed to not only developing great athletes but also responsible citizens. An Excom member used the Council Meeting to issue a powerful call for environmental stewardship.
* Reach Out to Sustainability Commission: Following the commendable example of Uganda Athletics, which planted over 50 acres of trees, all federations were urged to reach out to the Sustainability Commission to initiate their own climate action and legacy programs.
* UGF’s Commitment: We recognize the importance of embracing our role as an environmental steward by promoting sustainability, which is one of the Olympic values. We will connect with the Sustainability Commission to identify and implement activities that embed climate responsibility into the UGF’s operations and community outreach.
Promoting Gender Equity and Development
GED Project: The Gender Equity and Development (GED) Commission of the UOC developed a project focused on driving gender equity and inclusive changes across the 34 UOC/CGU national federations and associations, which is expected to commence soon.
AMSC gender consideration: The UOC/CGU included a component for Women/General Classes in the Advanced Sport Management Course with chapter six implemented and pending impact assessment.
Athlete Attrition Rate: During the games update discussion, the Chair informed the meeting that the attrition rate was almost 80% for girls. This was attributed to issues like overtraining, emphasizing the need for age-appropriate training and proper pathways
Reviving the National Olympic Games
The UOC has committed to reviving the National Olympic Games, which last took place in the 1980s and 1990s.
* National Goals: The proposed Games are intended to promote sports development across the country, foster national unity, and provide a crucial competition pathway for international events.
* The Vision: The idea is to have a sports program that virtually includes all 34 sport codes and provides exposure for those with less opportunity. Potential venues include Namboole, Hoima City, and Aki Bua stadiums.
The UOC Council Meeting served as a vital reminder of the shared mission between the UGF and the larger Ugandan Olympic family. We are leaving no stone unturned as we prepare for a busy and rewarding 2026. From compliance and good governance to talent identification and maximizing global opportunities, we are working to create the best possible future for our gymnasts..