Kukundakwe (pictured) was the youngest athlete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games where she competed in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB8, aged just 14.

She made her Commonwealth Games debut at Birmingham 2022 as Uganda’s sole Para Swimmer, in the Women’s 100m Freestyle S9.

Now 19 and Uganda's team captain, Kukundakwe arrives at Tollcross International Swimming Centre a veteran of two Paralympic Games and several World Para Swimming Championships.

She has her sights set on the podium in the 100m Breaststroke SB8.

“My target will always be to try my best, make a personal best and try to have fun while doing that," Kukundakwe said. "But yeah, the medal is within sight and I hope that I have the times and the strength to achieve that.”

Kukundakwe is thrilled about the platform afforded Para Sport at Glasgow 2026 where, unlike the Olympic Games, the athletes compete alongside their able-bodied counterparts rather than in a later, standalone event.

“It really shows that Para Sport is just as high-performance as able-bodied sport and that it deserves the same kind of audience, support, sponsorships," Kukundakwe said.

"Events like the Commonwealth Games are able to showcase that, as the able-bodied events are happening alongside the Para Sport events.”

Returning champions expected to shine

Lakeisha Patterson (AUS) returns for a fourth Commonwealth Games, having made her debut in Glasgow 12 years ago.

The Australian took bronze in the Women's 100m Freestyle S8 in 2014. Four years later at Gold Coast 2018, she won gold in both the 50m Freestyle S8 and 100m Freestyle S9.

Known as 'Lucky', Patterson also competed at Birmingham 2022. The 27-year-old said increased Para representation and integration with the Dolphins – Australia's national swim team – was “overwhelming but also really exciting”.

“Going back to Glasgow is obviously an exciting opportunity and I really want to enjoy the journey,” Patterson said. “You can get so caught up in the next race and we don’t always take time to soak up the atmosphere.

“After the past couple of years I’ve had, with challenges and obstacles, I know that there’s never going to be a perfect time where I feel 100%. But the inclusion is definitely growing and that’s something I’ve witnessed in our time and I hope to see that continue.”

Making his England debut, William Ellard will look to add Commonwealth gold to his Paralympic and world titles. The 20-year-old set a world record on his way to 200m Freestyle S14 gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and claimed the world title a year later in Singapore.

England teammate Rebecca Redfern will take to the water four months after having a baby girl, as she seeks to add Commonwealth gold to her Paralympic and world titles.

Barry McClements became the first swimmer from Northern Ireland to secure a Commonwealth swimming medal with his Men's 100m Backstroke S9 bronze in Birmingham. Also competing for Northern Ireland is Bethany Firth, who won the Women's 200m Freestyle S14 four years ago.

Stephen Clegg (SCO), who bagged two Paralympic golds at Paris 2024, will want to perform well in front of the home crowd. Timothy Hodge (AUS), Josh Willmer (NZL) and Nicolas-Guy Turbide (CAN) are among the returning champions from Birmingham 2022.

The Para Swimming competition starts on 24 July. For the full schedule, click here.