London, July 20, 2025 — On Sunday, the Princess of Buganda Kingdom, Katrina Ssangalyambogo, proudly represented Uganda at the prestigious World Athletics Wanda Diamond League held at the London Stadium, where she cheered on Ugandan middle-distance runner Halimah Nakaayi in the women’s 800 metres final.
Nakaayi delivered a stellar performance, finishing in third place with a time of 1:57.67, just behind American Addy Wiley who clocked 1:57.43, and the race winner, Georgia Bell of Great Britain, who crossed the finish line first in 1:56.74.
Princess Ssangalyambogo, who attended the event in person, was thrilled by the electric atmosphere and the inspiring performance of Uganda’s sole representative in the competition. Speaking to the media, she said, “You are the only Ugandan in the crowd supporting the only Ugandan in the competition,” highlighting the pride and responsibility she felt in standing behind her compatriot on the global stage.
She reaffirmed her commitment to supporting Ugandan athletes wherever they compete across the world, saying, “I am always ready to support all fellow Ugandans, regardless of the location of the competition.”
The Princess also shared highlights of her experience, recalling how the day began with light rain which initially threatened to disrupt the event. “It was a bit stressful in the morning because we thought it would rain all day, but thankfully it stopped suddenly and we ended up enjoying the games,” she said with a smile.
Ssangalyambogo further explained the format of the Diamond League, emphasizing the competitive nature of the series. Athletes meet 14 times a year to compete for points that qualify them for the finals. For field events, the top six qualify; for running events, it's the top eight; and for the 1500 metres, the top 10 make the final cut.
The presence of the young royal at the event added a patriotic spark, especially for Ugandan supporters watching from around the world. Her support and words of encouragement for Halimah Nakaayi and other Ugandan athletes have been widely praised on social media.
Nakaayi’s third-place finish in such a competitive field is a major boost to her season, as she continues her quest to secure a place in the finals of this year’s Diamond League series. The 800m specialist, known for her powerful finishing kick, has consistently represented Uganda with pride at international meets.
The Princess concluded by encouraging more Ugandans to follow and support their athletes globally, stating that moments like these not only uplift the individuals competing but also unite the nation in pride and purpose.
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