Uganda Aquatics has reaffirmed its commitment to taking swimming beyond Kampala after holding an Extraordinary Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Uganda Olympic Committee offices on Saturday.
The meeting brought together more than 130 representatives from newly affiliated districts and regions across the country, alongside officials from established clubs in Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and Jinja, in what federation leaders described as a significant milestone in the nationwide growth of the sport.
The Extraordinary AGM was convened primarily to update newly admitted regional members on resolutions and reports presented during the federation’s previous AGM, which many of them had been unable to attend because they had not yet completed the affiliation process.
The gathering also provided an opportunity to formally welcome the new members into the Uganda Aquatics family and align them with the federation’s strategic direction as it implements the country’s new National Sports Act, which requires sports federations to establish structures across Uganda.
Speaking after the meeting, Uganda Aquatics General Secretary Max Kanyerezi said the federation has made remarkable progress in extending the sport beyond its traditional base.
“We have identified and engaged members in more than 130 districts. The purpose was to update them on what was discussed in the previous AGM, present the reports that had already been adopted, and discuss the way forward together. It was a brilliant engagement and an important step in ensuring everyone moves in the same direction,” he said.
Kanyerezi praised the National Council of Sports (NCS) for championing the decentralization of sport, saying the initiative will play a vital role in making swimming accessible throughout Uganda.
“Swimming was honestly concentrated in Kampala for many years. This is extra work for us, but it is work with purpose because it allows us to expand the sport across the entire country. We are happy to embrace it and continue engaging with all our new members,” he added.
Delegates represented districts and regions, including Padere, Gulu, Lira, Busoga, Namutumba and several others from Eastern, Northern, Western and Central Uganda, highlighting the federation’s rapidly expanding footprint.
One of the key topics discussed during the meeting was sports infrastructure, an area Kanyerezi acknowledged remains a challenge but one that is steadily improving through government investment and partnerships.
He welcomed ongoing government efforts to develop modern sporting facilities, pointing to the multi-sport complex in Hoima, which will include a swimming pool alongside football, volleyball, basketball and tennis facilities.
The federation is also optimistic about the planned National Council of Sports redevelopment project in Lugogo, which is expected to include another swimming pool.
Beyond government investment, Uganda Aquatics is pursuing partnerships to increase access to swimming facilities. Kanyerezi revealed that the federation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Seroma Christian High School through support from World Aquatics to install an assembled swimming pool, further boosting opportunities for athlete development.
“We appreciate what the government is doing, but we are also working with partners to ensure more facilities become available. Every additional pool is another opportunity for the sport to grow,” he said.
The Extraordinary AGM also served as a springboard towards the Uganda National Swimming Championships, scheduled to begin this week at Kampala International School Uganda (KISU).
The championships will attract Uganda’s top swimmers, including internationally based athletes returning to compete for national honours and selection to upcoming international competitions.
The event will also act as a selection trial for several major championships, including the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Youth Olympic Games and the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Beijing.
Kanyerezi expressed confidence that the championships will showcase the progress made by the country’s swimmers while providing a platform to identify the next generation of national representatives.
In another positive development for the federation, Uganda Aquatics announced that one of its technical officials has been selected to officiate at the upcoming Youth Olympic Games, marking another milestone in the country’s growing recognition on the international stage.
The federation believes the appointment demonstrates that Uganda’s progress is not only being reflected through its athletes but also through the development of internationally accredited technical officials.
With new regional structures now in place, growing membership across the country, improved infrastructure prospects and major competitions on the horizon, Uganda Aquatics believes the Extraordinary AGM has laid the foundation for a new era of nationwide development for the sport.