Uganda’s swimmers made a strong statement on Day One of the 17th Africa Aquatics Swimming Championships in Oran, Algeria, with standout performances across both the senior and junior categories — led by a sensational gold-medal swim from Gloria Muzito.
Muzito delivered one of Uganda’s biggest moments of the championship so far in the women’s 100m freestyle. The 23-year-old first topped the morning heats in 56.66 seconds, booking the fastest qualifying time heading into the evening final. She then returned even stronger, storming to victory in the final in a blistering 55.65 seconds to claim gold for Uganda.
Her winning time was enough to finish ahead of Zimbabwe’s Paige Van Der Westhuizen (56.54) and Kenya’s Sara Mose (57.49), underlining her dominance in the event and giving Team Uganda a dream start to the championships.
Uganda also had encouraging performances in the men’s 100m freestyle. Tendo Mukalazi narrowly missed out on a place in the final after finishing ninth in the Senior Heats in 52.21 seconds, just one spot away from qualification. Meanwhile, Pendo Kaumi placed 22nd overall in the same event with a time of 56.46 seconds.
In the junior boys’ 100m freestyle, Peterson Inhensiko clocked 58.12 seconds to finish 26th, gaining valuable continental experience against some of Africa’s best young swimmers.
Distance swimmer Mary Peyton Suubi also showed grit and endurance in the girls’ 1500m freestyle, finishing eighth in 19:25.15 in a demanding race that tested stamina and resilience.
Uganda’s junior mixed relay team of Jordan Ssamula, Tara Kisawuzi, Peterson Inhensiko, and Mary Peyton Suubi posted a respectable 4:03.90 to finish ninth in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
With a gold medal already secured and several swimmers showing promising form, Team Uganda will be looking to build on that momentum as competition continues in Oran.
Day Two action starts at 11:00 a.m. EAT, with Ugandan swimmers competing in the following events:
- Gloria Muzito – 200m Freestyle (Heat 6 of 6, Lane 3)
- Gloria Muzito – 50m Butterfly (Heat 8 of 8, Lane 5)
- Avice Meya – 50m Butterfly (Heat 8 of 8, Lane 7)
- Ethani Sengoba – 200m Freestyle (Heat 4 of 6, Lane 2)
- Ethani Sengoba – 50m Butterfly (Heat 5 of 11, Lane 2)
- Kyle Kimuli – 100m Breaststroke (Heat 3 of 14, Lane 3)
- Jordan Samula – 100m Breaststroke (Heat 3 of 14, Lane 5)
- Tara Kisawuzi – 50m Butterfly (Heat 5 of 8, Lane 5)
- Tendo Mukalazi – 50m Butterfly (Heat 10 of 11, Lane 2)
- Pendo Kaumi – 50m Butterfly (Heat 11 of 11, Lane 7)
Ugandans will be hoping for another strong day in the pool as Team Uganda chases more finals and medals in Algeria.