A Champion of Integrity, Inclusion, and International Sport Governance
This week, Publicist East Africa proudly features Dr. Donald Rukare, the Interim President of Commonwealth Sport, as our Captain of Industry, a testament to his decades-long journey of blending elite athleticism, legal excellence, and visionary leadership to transform the global sporting landscape.
From his early days as a national swimming champion to his current stewardship of one of the world’s most influential sports bodies, Dr. Rukare has consistently embodied the ideals of discipline, diplomacy, and development. His appointment in April 2025 to lead Commonwealth Sport marks a historic moment not only for Uganda but for Africa’s place in global sports governance.
Steering a Global Institution Through Transition
In the wake of Chris Jenkins’ resignation, Dr. Rukare was entrusted with the responsibility of guiding Commonwealth Sport through a sensitive transitional period leading up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. His leadership comes at a time when the movement faces both internal restructuring and external pressures to remain inclusive, accountable, and globally relevant.
In his first public remarks as Interim President, Dr. Rukare acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed a clear resolve to build momentum, foster unity, and drive the organisation forward. His presence at the helm signals a new chapter defined by strategic reform, para-inclusion, and continental representation.
From Local Champion to Continental Reformer
Dr. Rukare’s journey is one of continuous impact. A former national record-holding swimmer, he represented Uganda competitively between 1980 and 1992. But it is his post-athletic career that has defined him as an institution builder.
He has served as:
• President of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC)
• Chairperson of the National Council of Sports
• Vice President of the African Swimming Federation (CANA)
• Member of the FINA Bureau
• Arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
• IOC MEMOS Professor in Sports Governance
At every level, he has introduced systems of transparency, accountability, and inclusive policy, a style of leadership that is rooted in principle and anchored in progress.
Scholarship Meets Strategy
What sets Dr. Rukare apart is his deep academic grounding, making him one of the most credentialed sports administrators globally. He holds:
• A Doctor of Laws (LLD) from the University of Pretoria
• A Master of Laws (LLM) from Lund University, Sweden
• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Makerere University
• A Master’s in Sports Law from ISDE Law and Business School, Madrid
• An Executive Master’s in Sports Management from the University of Louvain
• Executive education from Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School
This combination of theory and applied leadership has allowed him to bridge regulatory frameworks, athlete development, and institutional transformation with rare precision.
Why Dr. Donald Rukare is This Week’s PublicistEA Captains of Industry Honoree
Dr. Rukare represents the very essence of impact-driven leadership. He is a builder of institutions, a protector of ethics, and a global voice for African excellence.
His ability to engage with international power structures while remaining rooted in Uganda’s values and realities makes him one of the most influential Ugandans on the global stage today.
As Interim President of Commonwealth Sport, he is not just managing a transitional moment; he is shaping the future of sport as a vehicle for development, diplomacy, and unity.
His work aligns with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), showing how sport can be a driver of equity, inclusion, and sustainable progress.
In celebrating Dr. Donald Rukare, we celebrate more than his titles; we honour a leader whose integrity, intellect, and impact have elevated Uganda to global prominence.
He reminds us that the future of leadership is not just about who leads, but how they lead and for what purpose.
Stay tuned to Publicist East Africa for more stories of the men and women building Africa’s future one bold decision at a time.