Uganda Olympic Committee President Dr Donald Rukare has been named interim head of Commonwealth Sport after Chris Jenkins stepped down from the role.
Rukare will serve in the role until the next General Assembly, scheduled for November 2025. His appointment was confirmed by the organisation’s Executive Board.
The Ugandan sports administrator steps in at a pivotal time for the organisation, with preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow already underway.
“I am ready to step into this role and thank the Board for their confidence in me,” Rukare said. “We have come through a particularly challenging period in our Games history, and we are now building momentum towards an outstanding Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026.”
Commonwealth Sport chief executive Katie Sadleir welcomed the appointment and said she was looking forward to working closely with Rukare as the organisation enters a crucial phase.
Rukare’s new role comes shortly after he was elected President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone 5, winning eight votes to two against Ethiopia’s Gayo Ashebir.
Zone 5 includes 11 East African nations and plays a key role in fostering Olympic values, promoting regional cooperation, and developing sport across the area.
Rukare continues to serve as chair of Uganda’s National Olympic Committee and has held senior governance positions in sport across the continent. A trained lawyer and academic, he has also lectured in sports law and previously worked as an advocate of Uganda’s High Court.
With growing influence at both continental and international level, Rukare is expected to be a key figure in shaping the future of global sport during a period of significant change.
