Uganda's first batch of athletes to the Commonwealth Games left on Monday for Melbourne, Australia, local media reported on Tuesday.

Uganda's Chief de Mission Okot Omwony is already in Melbourne, having traveled last week. Uganda is expected to send a team of 49 athletes and 16 officials to the games that start on March 15.

Uganda will participate in boxing, athletics, swimming, shooting, weightlifting, cycling, badminton, rugby and table tennis.

The rugby team was on the first batch, and are optimistic they will make an impact on their debut to the Commonwealth Games.

However, shooters, who were supposed to have traveled with the first batch of 15 athletes and three officials, had their trip delayed after they failed to get clearance for their shooting equipment.

The second group will leave on Thursday, to be joined by a final one next week.

Source: Xinhua