As the 2024 Paralympic Games get underway in Paris, all eyes in Uganda are on David Emong, the country’s only medallist at the Paralympics, who will be leading Uganda’s quest for medals.
Emong, who remains the only Ugandan athlete to have ever won a Paralympic medal(s), will once again compete in the Men’s 1500m T46 event, hoping to add to his impressive haul.
Emong first made history at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where he clinched a silver medal in the Men’s 1500m T45-46 event.
He followed this up with a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games in the Men’s 1500m T46 category.
Emong got a tragedy in his childhood days when he broke his left arm while in school following an assault by his fellow students.
Joining Emong is Husnah Kukundakwe, a 17-year-old swimmer who was born without her right forearm and has an impairment in her left hand.
Kukundakwe, who also competed at the Tokyo Paralympics, will be representing Uganda in three swimming events.
Making his Paralympic debut in Paris is Denis Mbaziira, who was born with a disabled leg. Mbaziira will make history as the first Ugandan to compete in Para Powerlifting at the Paralympics, marking a significant milestone for the country.
Rounding out the team is Peace Oroma, an athlete who suffers from Keratoconus, a degenerative eye disease that affects the structure of the cornea and leads to vision loss.
Oroma will compete in both the Women’s 400m T13 and 1500m T13 events.
Uganda first participated in the Paralympics at the 1972 Summer Games in Heidelberg, Germany.
Uganda’s Participants
Athletics – David Emong (Men’s 1500m T46), Peace Oroma (Women’s 400m T13, Women’s 1500m T13)
Powerlifting – Denis Mbaziira (Men’s 88kg)
Husnah Kukundakwe (Women’s 50m freestyle S8, 100m breaststroke SB8, 100m Butterfly S8)
