Ugandan athletes opened their 2026 season at the first National Trials held at Mandela National Stadium, where competitors across several track and field events chased faster times and early form ahead of a busy international athletics calendar.
The trials brought together athletes from different parts of the country, each looking to test their progress and strengthen their chances of national selection for major championships later in the year. The event is part of the national athletics programme and serves as an early checkpoint for athletes preparing for international competition.
According to Abdallah Muhammad, the trials remain a key platform for evaluating athletes and identifying those ready to represent Uganda on the global stage.
“This national trial is an important event in our calendar where we get to know how athletes are progressing through the season and select athletes for the various international events that are ahead,” Abdallah explained.
He added that the 2026 athletics season includes several major competitions such as the Commonwealth Games in July, the World Athletics Championships, the African Senior Athletics Championships and the World Athletics U20 Championships.
Away from the track action, Ugandan 400 metre runner Haron Adoli used the occasion to address questions surrounding his absence from the mixed relay at the Islamic Solidarity Games.
Adoli had been expected to partner with Halima Nakaayi in the mixed relay but did not feature in the race. He apologised to the country and explained the circumstances behind his withdrawal.
“I really want to send my apologies to the entire nation for us not showing up in the Islamic Solidarity Games mixed Relays, but personally I got a problem. I genuinely fell sick a day before our competition,” says Adoli.
With the season now underway, the national trials are expected to play an important role in shaping Uganda’s athletics squad as athletes push for qualification and selection for the major international events ahead.
