The stage is set for one of Uganda’s highly awaited swimming competitions as the 6th edition of the Silverfin Pentathlon dives into action this weekend, May 9–10, at Kampala International School Uganda.
Organised by Silverfin Academy, the event is expected to attract more than 600 swimmers from 26 clubs across Uganda and the wider East African region, including a visiting team from Rwanda.
Now in its eighth year since inception, with two editions lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Silverfin Pentathlon has steadily evolved into more than just another swimming gala. It has become a developmental benchmark for young athletes, designed to test versatility, discipline, endurance, and long-term growth in the sport.
Speaking during the official launch of the competition, Silverfin Academy founder Naomi Wandera described the pentathlon as an innovative competition aimed at helping swimmers measure balanced development across all strokes rather than specialising too early.
“We want to see swimmers who are advancing across all strokes,” Wandera explained. “This competition gives them a benchmark to monitor themselves and develop goal-setting skills. A child who cannot plan for when they are 14 or 16 may burn out early through overtraining or losing track because they lack measurable progress across the whole spectrum.”
Unlike standard swim meets that may focus heavily on one or two specialities, the pentathlon format challenges athletes across multiple disciplines. Swimmers will compete in the 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, and the 100m individual medley. Age categories range from six-year-olds to senior swimmers aged 17 and above.
According to coach Benon Binta Wamala, the competition structure is intentionally designed to encourage holistic swimming development while exposing athletes to high-level competitive environments.
“The Silverfin Pentathlon is a premier swimming meet,” Wamala said. “It provides a competitive platform for swimmers across various age groups to compete, improve performance, learn, and connect within the swimming community.”
This year’s edition will take place in KISU’s outdoor heated short-course pool featuring eight competition lanes, offering athletes world-class racing conditions. Winners in each age category, both male and female, will receive prizes and certificates, while all participants will earn certificates of participation. National and meet records set during the competition may also be recognised, if approved by Uganda Aquatics.
Over the past decade, clubs such as Silverfin Academy have played an increasingly influential role in talent identification and athlete development, complementing the work of Uganda Aquatics, which will officiate the event.
Wandera noted that the academy’s broader mission goes beyond competition results, emphasising character building and athlete sustainability.
“The point of emphasis is excellence,” she said. “We want to develop swimmers who understand discipline, goal setting, and who are in swimming for the long term.”
The competition has also attracted growing corporate and community support, underlining the increasing commercial and social value of youth sports in Uganda.
Among the event partners is Pepsi Uganda through Crown Beverages, which has provided 60 cartons of Nirvana water to support hydration during the two-day championship. Representing the company, shopper manager Emmanuel Rutaremwa said the partnership aligns with Pepsi’s community engagement strategy in schools and youth activities.
“We are looking forward to continuity,” Rutaremwa said. “As Pepsi, we are very interested in supporting the community through corporate social responsibility.”
Technology brand Blacklyf Uganda has also joined the event, bringing performance-based incentives, including smartwatches, headphones, and shopping vouchers for outstanding swimmers. Marketing executive Creed Bryan said the partnership reflects the brand’s interest in wellness, discipline, and youth empowerment.
“Swimming represents discipline, community development, and wellness,” Bryan noted. “We always want to be part of the community and support young people in achieving their goals.”
Meanwhile, local beauty and wellness brand The Makeover Place will reward selected swimmers with salon gift cards. Representing the company, swim parent Helen Agume highlighted the broader lifestyle and health benefits of swimming for children.
“It gets them off gadgets, keeps them active, helps them make friends, and keeps them fit,” Agume said.
About the Event
- Event: Silverfin Pentathlon, 6th Edition
- Date: 9th-10th May 2026
- Venue: Kampala International School Uganda
- Meet Times: 8:00 a.m.