Why Uganda's athletics poster boys are out of 2026 Commonwealth Games
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 22.03.26. | 14:29
With Cheptegei and Kiplimo out, attention now shifts to a new generation expected to carry the mantle
Uganda’s athletics team is set for a significant transition ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
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Long-distance stars Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo notably absent from the provisional squad.
The decorated duo, who have been central to Uganda’s dominance in long-distance track events, miss out after the marathon is excluded from the Games program.
Their recent transition to road racing further renders them ineligible for what will largely be a track-focused competition.
Their absence marks the end of an era for Ugandan athletics at the Commonwealth stage, where both athletes have delivered historic performances, particularly at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
In Birmingham, Kiplimo secured a memorable double, winning gold in both the 10,000m and 5,000m to showcase Uganda’s strength in distance running.
Uganda Athletics Federation president Dominic Otucet acknowledged the void left by the two stars but remained optimistic about the future.
“We are going to depend on our upcoming athletes in 10,000m and 5,000m, where we have promising young men and women, then middle distance,” he said.
The federation has already trimmed a long list of 110 athletes down to a provisional 27, from which a final squad of 16 comprising eight men and eight women will be selected.
With Cheptegei and Kiplimo out, attention now shifts to a new generation expected to carry the mantle.
Rising talents such as Herbert Chebet, Kenneth Kiprop, and Dan Chibet are among those tipped to step up on the big stage.
The team will be led by Olympic steeplechase champion Peruth Chemutai.
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She will be seeking redemption after a fall saw her settle for bronze in Birmingham.
She remains one of Uganda’s strongest medal prospects heading into Glasgow.
“We have young athletes that have graduated to seniors who we feel will be good enough even to replace the big names,” Otucet added.
Uganda enjoyed a successful outing at the 2022 Games, winning five medals.
In addition to Kiplimo’s double gold, Victor Kiplangat claimed marathon gold, while Chemutai and boxer Teddy Nakimuli secured bronze medals.
However, the removal of marathon and other road events from the 2026 programme, largely due to cost-cutting measures and operational considerations, means Uganda will now rely heavily on its track and middle-distance athletes to maintain its medal-winning pedigree.