Seventy-six (76) Ugandan Swimmers landed in Nairobi, Kenya, where they will represent Uganda at the Zone 3 Africa Aquatics Championships happening this weekend from the 16th through to the 19th of October 2025 at the Kasarani Aquatic Stadium in Nairobi.
The swimmers that are in two categories, age group and masters swimmers, include famous names like Ampaire Namanya, Bwisho Kristian, Donald Rukare, Dorothy Kabagambe, Dunstan Rukare, Kaumi Pendo C, Kaweesa Jonathan, Kirabo Paloma, Kisawuzi Tara A, Magoola Aksam, Mbanga Zara Marie, Mwase Matthew, Nakato Jinan, Namayanja Linda, Peter Ssebanakitta and Suubi Peyton Mary, among others.
This year’s championship, which will be the 10th edition of this particular event, has attracted 15 African countries, including Eritrea, Benin, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Kenya and others who will have swimmers competing for medals, Africa and World Aquatics ranking points.
Though Uganda goes into this year’s event as the defending champions for both age group and masters swimming, having won the previous title in Burundi 2024, the team promises to leave nothing to chance, aware that they have tough competition from the other teams, especially Kenya who have a home advantage and have registered as many swimmers.
Uganda has also won the 2023 championship in Rwanda, the 2021 and 2015 championships in Uganda. This means Uganda will be seeking a fifth championship win at this event, as Kenya, which has just won it once in 2019, will be seeking its second.
Uganda’s age group team will be captained by Peyton Mary Suubi and Namanya Ampaire and will be coached by Thomas Tamale assisted by Kezia Mukuma and Simon Peter Mulumba.
The masters team, on the other hand, will be captained by Abisagi Mugenyi and Peter Ssebanakitta and coached by Henry Kakooza.
The four-day Africa Aquatics zone 3 championship will have swimmers graded in groups of 12 and under, 13-14, 15 -16, 17 and over for both the girls and boys, women and men. The swimmers will take part in events spread out in breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and freestyle.
The Zone 3 championships are very crucial to the growing athletes because they act as development events, helping swimmers gauge their abilities against other elite swimmers but also give opportunities for swimmers to learn from each other, hence the huge number of swimmers that register for them. The championships help the swimmers to be eligible for bigger events like the zone 5, Africa juniors, Africa Seniors, World Championships, then ultimately the Olympics.
However, unlike the other events where swimmers are supported by the government, the zone 3 championships are privately sponsored, meaning they are funded by swimmers themselves (parents for young swimmers) or by private sponsors. According to Uganda Aquatics president Moses Mwase, if the federation is able, it will chip in sometimes, but the burden is fully shouldered by the swimmer/parents.
Team Uganda
Abisagi Mugenyi, Akol Alexis, Alex Kateeba, Amito Rachael, Ampaire Namanya, Aronda Jayson Ampaire, Ayesiga Elijah A, Ayesiga Michelle Mugisha, Babirye Jehan, Benjamin Ssali, Beno Ojwiya Bwisho Kristian Mugumya, CHarles Obwana, Donald Rukare, Dorothy Kabagambe, Dunstan Rukare, Esther Nadunga, Ihunde Alba, Ilamai Belinda Eleanor, Inhensiko Peterson, Isabella, Omara Sigombe, Ivan Muhoozi, Jackine Mbabazi Malinga, Jordan Crighton M, Kakooza Henry, Kaumi Pendo C, Kaweesa JonathanKaweesa Kyle K, Kesende Christine, Kigundu Ssango E,Kikambi Theresa, Kirabo Paloma, Kisawuzi Tara A, Kuc Isaiah, Magera Jeremiah, MagoolaAksam, Mbanga Giovanni Cruz, Mbanga Zara Marie, Muganzi Tyrah, Mukama Mary, Kezia Mukisa, Elijah Munaaba, IsmailMurungi, Shaun Musoke Jordan, Mwase Matthew, Nabirye Takia, Nabukeera Paula, Nahamya Malcolm, Nakasule Rahmah Kalungi, Nakato Jinan, Nakimuli Marina Ann Betsy, Nakimuli Gabriela Eleanor, Nalwadda Olivier, Namayanja Linda, Nisha Pearl Najjuma, Nuwagaba Phillip, Opolot Gabriella A, Patricia Bageine Ejalu, Patrick Magezi, Paul Duke Kaganzi, Peter Mugisha, Peter Ssebanakitta, Raymond Ssali, Resty Kawuka, Rukundo Daniel, Sandra Arinaitwe, Sonia Mwere Delilah, Ssali Mackayla, Ssekamatte Yuda Morris, Ssemanda Crystal T, Ssemanda Manuel K, Ssempijja Jeremiah, Ssengooba Ethani, Suubi Ashton Regina, Suubi Peyton Mary, Yawe Habib