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Dr. Donald Rukare, the current President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, has been appointed Interim President of Commonwealth Sport, following the resignation of Chris Jenkins.
The decision was confirmed by the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board, which entrusted Dr. Rukare with the leadership role until the organisation’s next General Assembly, scheduled for November 2025.
His appointment marks a significant milestone for Uganda and the East African region, as he becomes one of the few African leaders to hold such a prestigious global position.
Dr. Rukare steps into the role at a crucial time, as Commonwealth Sport intensifies its preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
In his first remarks following the announcement, he expressed gratitude and a strong sense of purpose;
“I am ready to step into this role and thank the Board for their confidence in me. 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,” said Rukare.
Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir welcomed the appointment and emphasized the collaborative road ahead;
“We look forward to working with Donald in this role as we continue driving the organisation’s event operations and wider movement forward.”
Dr. Rukare’s interim presidency adds to his growing list of regional and continental leadership roles. Earlier this month, he was elected President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone 5, defeating his Ethiopian counterpart Gayo Ashebir by eight votes to two during the General Assembly in Addis Ababa.
ANOCA Zone 5 represents 11 East African nations and plays a central role in promoting Olympic values, fostering regional sports development, and encouraging cooperation among member countries.
With a rich background in sports governance, law, and academia, Dr. Rukare brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
He chairs Uganda’s National Olympic Committee and has previously held senior positions across several continental sports bodies.
A qualified sports law lecturer and former advocate of the High Court of Uganda, he is widely respected for his expertise and leadership.
As he assumes the interim presidency of Commonwealth Sport, Dr. Rukare is well-positioned to help guide the organisation through a transformative period, contributing to the future of global sports and reinforcing Africa’s growing influence in international sporting governance.
