Uganda to send 17 sprinters to All-Africa Games

Comprising nine women and eight men, the team primarily consists of sprinters, some of whom have not hit the qualification mark for the 2024 Paris Games.

Abdallah Muhammad, the Publicity Secretary of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), affirmed their commitment to providing sprinters and middle-distance runners with a chance to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

"Given the ongoing construction at Namboole, our sprinters rarely have access to international races. The All Africa Games present a crucial opportunity for our athletes to achieve qualification standards, and I believe they are up to the task," explained Muhammad.

Halima Nakaayi, who clinched a bronze medal in the 800m event at the 2019 All Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco, returns to the national stage. Alongside her participation in the 800m, Nakaayi will feature in relay events alongside Shida Leni, Susan Aneno, and Jacent Nyamahunge. The women's relay team aims to either improve upon or defend their 2019 bronze medal.

Differently from past selections, the UAF has included two field athletes in the team: javelin thrower Josephine Lalam and triple jumper Winnifred Atimango.

While the primary focus remains on qualifying athletes for the Olympic Games, UAF is also hopeful that the fielded athletes will contribute to Uganda's medal tally.

"We have assembled a formidable team comprising both sprinters and field athletes, fully confident that they will bring home medals. Our objective is to surpass our performance from 2019," emphasized Muhammad.

The 2024 All Africa Games promise thrilling competition as they kick off in Accra, Ghana. In the previous edition held in Rabat, Morocco, Uganda secured 10 medals, including two silver and eight bronze. Athletics accounted for two of these bronze medals.

Women: Jacent Nyamahunge,  Rebecca Cheptegei , Shida  Leni, Halima Nakaayi, Susan Aneno, Knight Aciru, Peruth Chemutai, Winnifred Atimango and Josephine Lalam.

Men:  Benson Okot , Pius  Adome, Emmanuel Aboda , Allan  Ngobi , Haron Adoli, Dradriga Tom, Abu Mayanja Salim and Ronald Musagala.