Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni on Friday flagged off the national Olympics team to the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for later this month.

Museveni urged the team to always follow the COVID-19 prevention measures while at the Games.

"First of all I congratulate all of you for qualifying because Olympics is not for everyone. Go and perform well," the president said during the send-off ceremony held at the Independence Ground in Kololo, Kampala.

Janet Kataaha Museveni, minister of education and sports wished the team success during the 32nd Olympic Games.

Uganda's 2012 gold medalist Stephen Kiprotich who will captain Team Uganda received the national flag from President Museveni on behalf of the team.

Uganda will be represented at the Tokyo Olympics by 21 athletes in track and field events, swimming, boxing, rowing and weightlifting.

World 10,000m and 5,000m record holder Joshua Cheptegei and 2020 Half Marathon world champion Jacob Kiplimo are Uganda's medal hopefuls at the Games.

Last month two members of Uganda's first batch that traveled to Japan were held and isolated after they tested positive for COVID-19 despite leaving the country when they had tested negative.

The Tokyo Olympics is scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 8. The Summer Olympics were meant to take place last year, but were postponed by the International Olympic Committee and the government of Japan because of the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.