On 09th July 2021, the President of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady/Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Museveni, flagged off a delegation of 25 athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics from 23rd July to 08th August 2021. This being the biggest contingent Uganda has ever presented with a bigger female representation of 13 females than 12 males to the quadrennial Games.

From the onset, Team Uganda presented a strong front at the games that were postponed from 2020 to 2021 due to the outbreak of the COVID19 Pandemic. Nevertheless, the team adequately prepared with the support of the Technical officials and with government of Uganda through National Council of Sports providing logistical support to the team to participate in the games.

Uganda's medal hunt started off with 10,000m Men’s World Record Holder Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo making their Olympic mark at the Tokyo Olympics winning Uganda’s first medals, a Silver and Bronze in the men’s 10,000m finals at the Olympic Stadium posting 27:43.63 and 27:43.88 respectively. The first time Uganda has won two medals in the same Olympic event, with Stephen Kissa playing a major role of leading the pack and only dropping out after accomplishing his pace making mission for the Ugandan duo.

Thereafter, 22 year old Peruth Chemutai in a stunning moment became first Ugandan woman to win a medal at the Olympics, lifting a Gold medal in the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase event in a timing of 9:01.45 at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo Japan.

The epic performance of Team Uganda in Tokyo now brings a total of 10 medals of Uganda’s participation at the Olympic games since 1956:
3 Gold Medals (Peruth Chemutai in 2021 Tokyo, Stephen Kipritich in 2012 London and John Akii-Bua in 1972 Munich)
4 Silver Medals (Joshua Cheptegei in 2021 in Tokyo, John Mugabi in 1980 Munich, Leo Rwabogo in 1972 Munich and Eridad Mukwanga in 1968 Mexico City)
3 Bronze Medals (Jacob Kiplimo in 2021 Tokyo, Davis Kamoga in 1996 Altanta and Leo Rwabwogo in 1968 Mexico City)

Below is the full performance of Team Uganda at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics:

ROWING
In rowing, Uganda qualified its first athlete Kathleen Noble in the women’s Single Scull event although she did not advance to the quarterfinals, Kathleen completed in third place with a timing of 8:36.01 in Heat 3 of the repechage to progress to the semi-finals E/F to determine the ultimate rankings of athletes outside medal contention.
In the Finals E, Kathleen finished 2nd clocking 8:07.00 to complete 26th overall and 2nd best African rower at the Tokyo Olympics.

BOXING
Uganda was represented by three boxers, Catherine Nanziri, the first female boxer at Olympics for Team Uganda, David Kavuma Ssemujju in the Middleweight category and Shadir Musa Bwogi.
Catherine facing Japan’s Tsukimi Namiki in her first fight lost 5-0 by unanimous decision in Round of 32 in the Women’s Flyweight Category and 2019 African Games Silver medalist David Kavuma Ssemujju also lost 5-0 to Algeria’s Nemouch Younes.
After a bye to the 32 Round, the Uganda Bombers captain, Shadir Bwogi put up an impressive fight against Georgia’s Madiev Eskherkhan but lost 3-1 in a split decision in the Men’s Welterweight Round of 16.

SWIMMING
16 year old swimmer Kirabo Namutebi made a debut at the Olympics with Women’s 50m Freestyle with National Record of 26.63 finishing 7th in the heats and failing to progress to the semifinals, while Ambala Atuhaire posted a timing of 54:23 below the semifinals mark, finishing 7th in the heats at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

ATHLETICS
Albert Chemutai was athletics first performance clocking 8:29.81 to finish 9th in the Men’s Steeplechase Round 1, Heat 1 and did not advance to the next qualification stage.
In the 800m women’s event, Halima Nakaayi and Winnie Nanyondo progressed upto the semi-finals level posting 2:04.44 and a Seasons Best of 1:59.84 respectively.
While in the Women’s 5000m, Sarah Chelangat ran a seasons best time of 15:59.40 to finish 19th, Prisca Chesang clocked 15:25.72 and Esther Chebet posted 15:11.47 in Round 1 Heats. The Trio did not advance to the semi-finals stage.
Shida Leni finished 6th in the womens 400m heats clocking 52.48 a time below the next qualification stage.
Ronald Musagala did not finish the Men’s 1500m heats due to a sustained inquiry.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR TEAM UGANDA:
In her second appearance in the 1500m women’s event, Winnie Nanyondo qualified for the women’s 1500m finals set for 06th August 2021 at the Olympic Stadium.

The trio of Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo and Oscar Chelimo will heighten Uganda’s medal hunt in the Men’s 5000m finals on 06th August 2021 at the Olympics Stadium.

Immaculate Chemutai and Juliet Chekwel will take part in the women’s marathon on 07th August 2021 while Mercyline Chelangat runs the Women's 10000m finals on 07th August 2021.

Uganda will front 2012 Olympics Gold medalist Stephen Kiprotich, Felix Chemonges and Fred Musobo in the Men’s event on 08th August 2021 to bringing an end to the Tokyo Olympics

WEIGHTLIFTING
Find below the Press Statement on the matter of athlete Mr. Julius Ssekitoleko.