KAMPALA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has named an 18-strong team for the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships, scheduled for May 12-17 in Accra, Ghana.

The biennial event is expected to attract leading athletes from across the continent.

Uganda Athletics president Dominic Otuchet confirmed the squad on Wednesday, saying it will be coached by Francis Demayi, Sarah Nambawa and Pius Ocilaije.

"The team is a mixture of experienced senior runners and young runners who are both based in Uganda and in other countries. We are confident that the team will perform well at the championships," Otuchet said.

Shida Leni, who finished third at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia last year, will lead the Ugandan contingent alongside Martha Chemutai. Tom Dradriga, who took bronze at the 2024 African Senior Athletics Championships in Cameroon, is also among the athletes to watch.

"We are glad that the African Senior Athletics Championships can help us prepare our athletes ahead of other events like the Commonwealth Games that will take place in Scotland this year," Otuchet said. ■