Badminton Ace Ramiah Bukenya Able to Fly Uganda’s Flag at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Video games

David GOMBE

Sixteen-year-old badminton star Ramiah Bukenya will carry Uganda’s hopes on the courtroom on the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Video games in Senegal, the primary Olympic occasion ever staged on African soil.

Bukenya is Uganda’s sole badminton consultant on the Video games, which is able to run from thirty first October to thirteenth November 2026. She is going to compete from 1st to fifth November.

In line with a press launch from the Uganda Olympic Committee issued on 4th October 2026, Bukenya is at the moment sharpening her recreation in Cairo, Egypt, the place she is competing on the All-Africa Junior (U-19) Badminton Championships at Cairo Stadium.

Her coach, William Kabindi, describes the Cairo marketing campaign as a key a part of her build-up to Dakar, giving her worthwhile match expertise towards sturdy worldwide opposition. The group returns to Uganda on nineteenth October, leaving her time to relaxation and fine-tune earlier than she takes to the courtroom in Senegal.

Earned, Not Given

With Uganda allotted only one badminton slot, selectors selected the nation’s top-ranked junior, and Bukenya emerged because the clear primary. She has constructed her case by means of constant outcomes on the native circuit, appearances on the World Junior Championships in China, and a string of worldwide tournaments. At house, she has been a cornerstone of Mbogo Excessive Faculty’s successful groups within the Uganda Secondary Colleges Sports activities Affiliation (USSSA) competitions.

In Her Personal Phrases

“I’m so excited to characterize Uganda on the Youth Olympic Video games in Dakar. It will likely be a tremendous alternative to put on the Ugandan flag, play towards one of the best younger gamers from completely different international locations, study from them, and develop as an athlete,” stated Bukenya.

“For me, the Youth Olympics is greater than a contest. It’s a increase and encouragement that may push me to dream greater and put together for the senior Olympic Video games sooner or later.”

A part of a Proud Staff Uganda

Bukenya joins a 25-athlete Ugandan delegation named by the Uganda Olympic Committee, competing throughout seven sports activities: athletics, badminton, street biking, rugby sevens, swimming, desk tennis and rowing seaside sprints. Round 2,700 younger athletes from 207 delegations are anticipated in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.