Kukundakwe eyes historic first for Uganda

GLASGOW: Husnah Kukun-dakwe (pic) wants to write another line in the history books in Glasgow as she seeks to claim Uganda’s first para swimming medal at a Commonwealth Games.

Kukundakwe was the youngest athlete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games where she competed in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB8, aged just 14.

She made her Commonwealth Games debut at Birmingham 2022 as Uganda’s sole para swimmer, in the women’s 100m freestyle S9.

Now 19 and Uganda’s team captain, Kukundakwe arrives at Tollcross International Swimming Centre a veteran of two Paralympic Games and several World Para Championships.

She has her sights set on the podium in the 100m breaststroke SB8.

“My target will always be to try my best, make a personal best and try to have fun while doing that,” Kukundakwe said.

“But yeah, the medal is within sight and I hope that I have the times and the strength to achieve that.”

Kukundakwe is thrilled about the platform afforded para sport at Glasgow 2026 where, unlike the Olympic Games, the athletes compete alongside their able-bodied counterparts rather than in a later, standalone event.

“It really shows that para sport is just as high-performance as able-bodied sport and that it deserves the same kind of audience, support, sponsorships,” said Kukundakwe.

“Events like the Commonwealth Games are able to showcase that, as the able-bodied events are happening alongside the para sport events.”