The focus of the international athletics community has shifted this week to Uganda’s Mandela National Stadium (Namboole). A total of 43 elite young athletes from seven different nations have arrived in Kampala to compete in the 4th Uganda National Athletics Trials, scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026.
This highly anticipated event primarily focuses on achieving qualifying times and standards for the World Athletics U20 Championships, which will be held in Eugene, Oregon (USA) from August 4–9, 2026.
The diversity of the participating athletes has lent a truly global character to the competition. Entries include 20 athletes from the Athlete Refugee Team (ART), 12 from South Sudan, 5 from neighboring Kenya, 2 from Sweden, 2 from Ethiopia, and one athlete each from Burundi and Rwanda. The presence of athletes from countries as far-reaching as Sweden and powerhouse regions like Ethiopia highlights the significance and high standard of this trial.
Local Ugandan youth athletes are also preparing rigorously to seize this opportunity to secure their tickets to the United States. Following this event, Ugandan athletes will have only four remaining qualification windows: the Central Region Championships (May 16), the Akii-Bua Memorial Meet (June 6), and the National Championships (June 25–27). While the narrowing timeframe puts pressure on the competitors, performing in front of a home crowd at Namboole is expected to provide a significant psychological boost.
Dominic Otucet, President of the Uganda Athletics Federation, told media outlets that the surge of talent in the youth category is a massive signal for the future of the nation’s sports. “The sheer number of top-tier athletes in the U20 category demonstrates Uganda’s immense potential in athletics. Last year’s results proved that the majority of our medals are being won by these young stars,” he stated.
The President added that these athletes are poised to graduate into the senior ranks soon, ensuring a firm foundation has been laid to keep Uganda excelling on the global stage for years to come.
In addition to the U20 events, Saturday’s trials will feature senior-level competitions serving as qualifiers for the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, from May 12–17, 2026. This clash at Namboole Stadium has become a focal point for both athletes and sports enthusiasts across the region.
