Dr. Donald Rukare, a 55-year-old Ugandan lawyer, has achieved a significant milestone by being elected as one of the three vice presidents of the Commonwealth Games Federation. This accomplishment further solidifies his prominent position in both the local and international arenas.
The election took place during the Federation's elective assembly in Singapore, where Dr. Rukare secured his position with an impressive total of 52 votes (70.27%) out of the 74 votes cast. As the current president of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), his leadership and contributions to the field of sports administration have not gone unnoticed.
Barbados' Sandra Osborne emerged as the front-runner with 66 votes (89.19%), leaving Dr. Rukare in the second vice president position. Graham Hugh of the Cook Islands secured the third vice president position with 37 votes (50%). The president of the Commonwealth Games Federation is Chris Jenkins from Wales.
In addition to the vice presidency, the Commonwealth Games Federation also appointed regional vice presidents to represent different continents. These include Colonel Botsang Tshenyego from Botswana for Africa, Judy Simons from Bermuda for the Americas, Christopher Chan from Singapore for Asia, Ephraim Penn from the British Virgin Islands for the Caribbean, Helen Phillips MBE from Wales for Europe, and Craig Philips from Australia for Oceania.
Dr. Rukare's extensive experience in sports administration is noteworthy. He holds various roles, including being a member of the UOC Government Relations Committee, a member of the UOC Legal Commission, Vice President of the African Swimming Federation (CANA), President of CANA Zone III, Vice Chair of the Legal Commission of the Association of African National Olympic Committees (ANOCA), and a FINA Bureau member.
Furthermore, Dr. Rukare serves as an arbitrator at the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a panel member of the results management panel of the Regional Anti-Doping Agency (RADO), and a member of the Commonwealth Games Federation Ethics Commission. He is also a MEMOS Professor, teaching Governance and Sports Management on the IOC MEMOS Master’s program, and an International Olympic Committee (IOC) consultant/advisor, having undertaken assignments for the IOC in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Lesotho.
Congrats Dr. Donald Rukare
