United Through Sports is bursting with pride as our UTS Young Leader Husnah Kukundakwe made history at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning silver in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB8. This is Uganda’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in swimming, and the country’s first medal of the Games. It was also Uganda’s first Commonwealth Games medal in any Para sport, and its first in any sport outside athletics or boxing. A single swim and three pieces of history.
A Race for the Ages
Competing as Team Uganda’s co captain, the 19-year-old touched the wall in 1:26.20, holding off a fast-finishing Iona Winnifrith of England (who took bronze) by just 0.11 seconds to claim silver behind gold medallist Brock Whiston, who set a new Games record of 1:22.05. Her performance grew stronger with every swim: Husnah progressed comfortably from the morning heats, then produced an even stronger swim when it mattered most, shaving over a second off her heat time in the final.
By all accounts it was a nail-biting finish. Reports from poolside described Husnah’s energy fading in the closing metres as Winnifrith surged, only for the roar of the Tollcross crowd to carry her home. Speaking to Olympics.com afterwards, she said the noise at first sounded to her like a pride of lions in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, before she realised it was the crowd willing her on:
“The crowd was roaring. It’s something that I’ve never actually been a part of.”
Reflecting on the achievement, Husnah said:
“This medal and personal best showed me that hard work really is worth it, and it’s just the beginning of a longer road ahead for my swimming career.”
A Journey Years in the Making
Husnah’s road to the Glasgow podium has been built over nearly a decade of dedication. She first represented Uganda internationally as a young teenager, and by 2021 had become the youngest athlete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, competing in the 100m Breaststroke at just 14 years old. The following year, she earned Uganda its first-ever international Para Swimming medals at the Lignano Sabbiadoro World Series, before making her Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham 2022 as Uganda’s sole Para Swimmer.
Her ambition for Glasgow was never in doubt. Speaking on behalf of all Team Uganda’s athletes at the official send-off in Kampala, she declared that “we are going to compete and make our country proud.” She was true to her word.
Since then, she’s continued to break new ground, competing at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games across three events, carrying Uganda’s flag at the Paris opening ceremony, and serving as a torchbearer ahead of those Games alongside UNESCO’s Director-General. Now a two-time Paralympian and Team Uganda’s captain, her silver in Glasgow is the latest, and biggest, chapter yet in a career defined by firsts.
Glasgow also gave her the rare chance to share a stage with elite able-bodied swimmers she’d previously only watched on television. As she put it:
“I got to see and meet swimming superstars, not just on TV but in person, which is quite rare since Para sport and able-bodied sport are not usually combined. I was starstruck and motivated each time I got to watch these races in real time.”
A Leader on and Off the Blocks
Husnah’s influence extends well beyond the pool. As Vice Chair of the NPC Uganda Athletes’ Council, she is a leading advocate for athlete welfare and representation, giving a voice to Para athletes across the country. In Glasgow she spoke of opening doors for others to walk through, hoping her success inspires more young Ugandans into Para swimming. As co-captain of a roughly 50-strong Team Uganda contingent, she said:
“To be co-captain of the whole team of about 50 athletes was such a huge honour, and a big motivation to keep confident and be a role model that they can look to for advice and support.”
And as a UTS Young Leader, she continues to inspire the next generation in our community, showing young people what’s possible when talent, discipline and leadership come together. With Glasgow behind her, Husnah’s focus now turns to the 2027 World Championships and, further ahead, LA 2028. She was quick to credit those who helped her get there:
“I’m very thankful to my coach, my mom, the government of Uganda for the support towards this history making games.” And to UTS, she added: “Thank you UTS for being really big supporters of what I’m able to do both in and out of the pool. Hope to see the UTS team again soon.”
From a 14-year-old making her Paralympic debut to a Commonwealth Games medallist and national team captain, Husnah Kukundakwe’s story is one of persistence, pride, and purpose. It’s exactly the journey United Through Sports exists to champion. On behalf of the President, CEO, the team, Young Leaders and our international network, we couldn’t be prouder to call her one of our family.
Congratulations Husnah, this is only the beginning!
