Uganda’s golden duo of Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo will not feature at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, marking a new chapter for the nation’s athletics team.
The two long-distance icons, who transitioned from track to marathon racing in 2024 and 2025 respectively, were left out of the long list due to the exclusion of marathon events from the Games.
Uganda Athletics Federation president Dominic Otucet confirmed the decision, noting that while the absence of Cheptegei and Kiplimo leaves a void, it also opens the door for emerging talent.
“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,” Otucet said. Athletics has been allocated 16 slots, with the federation narrowing its initial pool of 110 athletes down to 27, before finalizing eight men and eight women for Glasgow.
Among those expected to step up are Herbert Chebet, Kenneth Kiprop, and Dan Chibet, while Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai will lead the charge. Chemutai, who settled for bronze in Birmingham 2022 after a fall in the steeplechase, is determined to chase gold this time around.
“We have young athletes that have graduated to senior whom we feel will be good enough even to replace the big names,” Otucet added.
Uganda secured five medals at the Birmingham 2022 Games, including marathon gold from Victor Kiplangat, double gold from Kiplimo in the 10,000m and 5,000m, and bronze medals from Chemutai and boxer Teddy Nakimuli.
However, with marathon and other road events excluded from Glasgow 2026 to cut costs and reduce operational complexity, Uganda’s medal hopes will rest firmly on track and middle-distance disciplines.
