Imagine being forced to flee your home, leaving everything behind. Now, imagine finding hope and opportunity through the power of sport. That's precisely what's happening for a group of young refugees in Uganda, and it's a story that deserves to be told! World Athletics has expanded its Athlete Refugee Team program to Uganda, offering a lifeline to talented young athletes who have faced unimaginable hardship. Twelve U18 athletes have been selected as potential candidates for the 2026 Youth Refugee Olympic Team, marking a significant step forward in providing opportunities for displaced youth.
This initiative, a joint effort between the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) and World Athletics, in collaboration with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Uganda, Uganda Athletics, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), builds upon the success of the existing refugee team program in Kenya, which was established nine years ago. It's a testament to the power of collaboration and the belief that sport can transcend borders and offer a sense of belonging.
The selected athletes, a diverse group of sprinters and middle-distance runners, including Alini Asinati, Moise Kalume, Evaline Baako, and Emanuel Dhegbo, will now be part of a larger pool from which the final Youth Refugee Olympic Team will be chosen for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, scheduled from October 30th to November 15th. What's truly remarkable is that this selection is in addition to the athletes already participating in the World Athletics U20 Athlete Refugee Team based in Kenya, further expanding the reach and impact of the program.
The final trials, held on a bright, sunny day at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, brought together 90 pre-selected refugee athletes from four settlements: Adjumani, Rwamwanja, Kyangwali, and Kampala. Lydia Murungi Tomusange, the program manager for the Association of Volunteers in International Service (AVSI), an Italian civil society organization in Uganda, played a crucial role in coordinating with these settlements. Tomusange emphasized the importance of including athletics, stating, "For a long time, we wanted to include an individual sport, and athletics seemed like the most possible opportunity for us to include."
For many of these young athletes, it was their first experience competing in a large stadium and utilizing starting blocks. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, their passion for running shone through, fueled by the hope that their athletic pursuits could improve the lives of their families. This is a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of refugees, who often face immense challenges but never give up on their dreams.
The event was graced by the presence of several dignitaries, including Milton Chebet, Assistant General Secretary – Technical, National Council of Sports; Dr. Donald Rukare, President of the Uganda Olympic Committee; Dominic Otucet, President of Uganda Athletics; and Beatrice Ayikoru, World Athletics Council Member, Secretary General of the Uganda Olympic Committee and General Secretary of Uganda Athletics. Jackson Tuwei, President of Athletics Kenya and World Athletics Vice President, also made the trip, symbolizing a 'passing of the baton' and an opportunity for Kenya to share its experience. Gonzalo Barrio, Olympic Refugee Team Manager, and Alice Annibali, World Athletics Community Relations and Public Affairs Manager, represented the ORF and World Athletics, respectively.
Otucet captured the significance of the moment, declaring, "This is a historic day because for the very first time, we have a refugees' trial here in the national stadium. I had always asked our NOC (Uganda Olympic Committee) to include athletics in the refugee programme... I am very excited, today I am the happiest person here."
Tuwei echoed this sentiment, stating, "Sport is for all of us and so we don't want to leave anybody out, particularly those who are talented and do not normally have a chance to do that." Barrio further explained the focus on athletics, noting, "Everybody runs, everybody knows how to run, and so it is also a sport that refugee athletes, who sometimes live in challenging situations, can practice."
Uganda's open-door policy has made it a haven for nearly 2 million displaced or stateless individuals, primarily from Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as of the end of 2024, according to the UNHCR. However, Uganda's refugee programs face significant funding challenges, operating with less than 40% of the required $361 million per year in 2025 due to reduced international aid. This highlights the urgent need for continued support and investment in these vital programs.
Annibali emphasized the importance of safeguarding and athlete well-being, stating, "This year, we have intensified our safeguarding awareness campaigns to educate refugee athletes about the World Athletics Safeguarding Policy. We want them to feel free to express themselves so that we can better understand their needs and provide the necessary support for the betterment of their well-being and the success of the programme." This commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment is crucial for the success of the program and the well-being of the athletes.
The Refugee Athletes' Programme, established in 2016 by the International Olympic Committee and the UNHCR, aims to provide athletes displaced by war and persecution with the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games. Kenya, through the Kakuma Refugee Camp, played a significant role in the inaugural Refugee Olympic Team (EOR) at the Rio 2016 Games.
The young refugee athletes in Uganda have inspiring role models to look up to. Beatrice Ayikoru, a World Athletics Council Member, was herself a refugee who fled her country to Congo due to civil war. And marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge will continue to serve as the official mentor for the refugee team in 2026. Kipchoge's words are particularly poignant: "I want to show them the way forward. We are fighting with their minds because refugees are equal to us, and they need to believe it."
Here's a list of the selected U18 athlete refugee squad in Uganda:
Women
* 100m: Alini Asinati (COD)
* 200m: Alini Ntakirutimana (COD)
* 400m: Amida Maburuka (SSD)
* 800m: Flavia Atayo (SSD), Florence Masumbe (COD)
* 1500m: Evaline Baako (SSD)
Men
* 100m: Emmanuel Talipanaw (COD)
* 200m: Moise Kalume (COD)
* 400m: Bhut Mariel (SSD)
* 800m: Rachid Rochene (COD)
* 1500m: Emanuel Dhegbo (COD)
* 3000m: Lole Clement (SSD)
This initiative is undoubtedly a positive step, but the long-term impact hinges on sustained funding and support. But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that focusing on elite athletes diverts resources from broader refugee assistance programs. Is it truly equitable to prioritize athletic opportunities when basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare remain unmet for many refugees worldwide? And this is the part most people miss... the opportunity to compete on such a high stage not only gives these athletes a chance to fulfill a dream, but also brings awareness to the refugee crisis as a whole.
What are your thoughts? Does this program strike the right balance between providing individual opportunities and addressing the broader needs of refugee communities? Should more emphasis be placed on grassroots sports development within refugee settlements? Share your opinions in the comments below!
