Uganda to host first Africa Dragon Boat Cup in 2026
Uganda is set to host the inaugural Africa Dragon Boat Cup from 1 – 4 October 2026. The announcement followed a meeting between Uganda Dragon Boat Federation president Solomon Muwonge and Ambassador Richard Kabonero at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended by a delegation from the Africa Dragon Boat Federation led by Ehab Gouda and General Secretary Mary Lai. The visiting officials are in Uganda to assess readiness, train and certify local officials, and inspect venues – positioning the event as a catalyst for sports tourism and destination visibility.
Organisers expect more than 500 professional athletes from 16 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia and South America, with hundreds of travelling supporters and millions of online viewers. Dragon boat racing is a 2,500-year-old sport with an estimated 50 million participants globally – around 40 million in China – and officials say the 2026 event will help showcase opportunities in tourism, investment and trade while supporting Uganda’s sports diplomacy agenda.
