Kabindi backs Ramiah Bukenya to shine at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

As anticipation builds for the historic Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, badminton coach William Kabindi has expressed utmost confidence that young shuttler Ramiah Bukenya will be in prime shape to fly Uganda’s flag high in Senegal.

With Uganda awarded just a single badminton slot for the global showcase, Bukenya’s rigorous ongoing international assignments are serving as the ultimate crucible to prepare her for the multi-sport extravaganza running from October 31 to November 13.

“As we prepare for the Youth Olympics, we have one athlete, Ramiah Bukenya, who was selected to represent Uganda. I want to say that she’s in good shape because we’ve been working,” Kabindi remarked, emphasising the deliberate planning behind the teenager’s journey.

International build-up and selection rationale

Bukenya’s path to the Youth Olympic Games, which will be staged across Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly under the motto “Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates”, has been forged through high-level competition. 

Kabindi pointed directly to her current campaign in Cairo, Egypt, where she is competing in the Under-19 Championships and the World Youth Badminton Games, as an invaluable testing ground against global opposition.

“Right now she’s in Cairo competing in the Under-19 Championships and the World Youth Badminton Games. So I’m sure by the time of the competition she will be in the best form we expect her to be since we’ve been working on this for some time now, and these games that she’s attending are like a build-up for the Youth Olympics,” Kabindi explained.

Securing Uganda’s lone ticket was no accident. When selectors faced the task of picking the country’s best representative from a single allocated slot, Bukenya emerged as the undisputed top choice due to her stellar domestic record, consistent international exposure, and proven pedigree.

“As Uganda, we were given one slot for badminton, and we looked at the best we have, and Bukenya came out as number one. She was topping most of the qualifications,” Kabindi noted. He further highlighted her impressive resume, stating, “She was doing well here on the local scene. She has taken part in international tournaments. She’s been in the World Championships before.”

Domestically, Bukenya has been a dominant force in Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) competitions, anchoring successful teams ever since joining Mbogo High School.

“She has been doing well here in the USSSA Games. She’s been part of the team that has been winning ever since she joined Mbogo. So she has all the qualifications to be on top,” Kabindi added.

Managing fatigue and recovery

While a heavy international calendar naturally invites concerns over athlete burnout, a worry recently echoed by national team shuttlers Tracy Naluwooza and Gladys Mbabazi, Coach Kabindi remains entirely unfazed. He believes the scheduling works perfectly to afford Bukenya ample physical recuperation before she takes to the court in Senegal.

Bukenya and her travelling team are scheduled to touch down in Uganda on October 19, leaving a comfortable window of nearly two weeks before badminton matches serve off on November 1.

“Yeah, usually there’s fatigue, but when you look at the timing, by the time she comes back, because they are coming back here on the 19th, and given that badminton starts on the 1st of November, there’s ample time for her to rest,” Kabindi reassured.

Upon her return, training will resume with a tailored focus on blending sharpening drills with much-needed physical recovery. “As we wait for the competitions, we’ll be continuing to train when she comes back, but also considering some rest since she’s been competing. So I’m sure there’s enough time for her to rest and get back to a better shape,” he said.

Team Uganda set for Dakar milestone

Bukenya’s campaign is part of a broader milestone as Africa prepares to host its very first official Olympic event. 

Approximately 2,700 athletes spanning 207 delegations will descend upon Senegal, featuring for the first time a dedicated Youth Refugee Olympic Team at a Summer Youth Olympics.

The Uganda Olympic Committee has officially named a 25-athlete delegation to represent the nation across seven distinct sports disciplines: athletics, badminton, road cycling, rugby sevens, swimming, table tennis and rowing beach sprints.

● Athletics: Baskaline Cherotwo, Racheal Chelimo, Keren Chelimo, Michael Kibet, and Timothy Cheptoek (Coach: Ziana Chetoyek).

● Badminton: Ramiah Bukenya (Coach: William Kabindi).

● Road Cycling: Ali Ssali (Coach: Ishaka Bukenya).

● Rugby Sevens (Largest Contingent): Victor Ampiire, Bonamy Bwambale, Trey Rugamba Gateja, Jeremiah Iragaba, Sanyu Katushabe, Moses Kibeti, Deogracious Muliira, Shafik Okole, Abdulrahman Ongima, Almadi Otema, and James Ssebuufu (Coach: Peter Ochol).

● Swimming: Mary Peyton Suubi, Marie Mbanga, Mark Arthur Mwase, and Peterson Inhensiko (Coach: Ezra Kalali).

● Table Tennis: Jemimah Nakawala and Joseph Sebatindira (Coach: Alvin Katumba).

● Rowing Beach Sprints: Marcel Otim (Coach: Batenga Nakisozi).

In total, the Dakar Games encompass 25 fierce competitive sports, ranging from 3×3 basketball and boxing to breaking, triathlon, and weightlifting’s associated engagement programs, offering an unprecedented platform for Uganda’s rising stars to test their mettle against the world’s finest emerging talents. 

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