Uganda Aquatics has laid out an ambitious roadmap for the remainder of 2026, unveiling the national team for the upcoming Commonwealth Games while outlining a packed international calendar that the federation believes could mark one of the busiest and most significant years in the country’s swimming history.
The announcements were made on Wednesday during a press briefing held at the Uganda Aquatics offices on the sidelines of the launch of the 11th Uganda Aquatics National Swimming Championships and the federation’s renewed partnership with Kansai Plascon Uganda.
Beyond previewing the National Championships, federation officials used the occasion to reveal Uganda’s Commonwealth Games squad officially, provide updates on several major international competitions, and reaffirm their confidence that the country’s swimmers are entering what President Moses Mwase described as “the golden years of swimming.”
The headline announcement from the press conference was the unveiling of Uganda’s team for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
President Moses Mwase confirmed that Uganda will send one of its biggest swimming delegations in recent years, comprising both able-bodied and para swimmers.
The women’s team will feature Gloria Ann Muzito, Kirabo Namtebi and Tara Kisawuzi, while the men’s team includes Jesse Sengonzi, Tendo Kaumi, Tendo Mukalazi and Jordan Samula.
Uganda will also be represented in the para category by the country’s leading para-swimming ambassador, Husnah Kukundakwe, and Condoleezza Nakazibwe, with the technical team comprising coaches Olivia Nalwadda and Muzafaru Muwanguzi.
Mwase expressed optimism about the size and quality of the delegation.
“It’s a big team. I don’t think we’ve had a team this big. I’m so excited that we are looking forward to results. We believe we’re in the golden years of swimming because, as you saw last year, the Olympic swimmer of the year was a female athlete, so we hope we can continue to ride that wave,” he said.
The federation believes the enlarged squad reflects the steady progress swimming has made in Uganda over recent years, with improved athlete development pathways and stronger domestic competitions producing more internationally competitive swimmers.
While the Commonwealth Games team has now been confirmed, Uganda Aquatics emphasised that the upcoming National Swimming Championships remain the country’s most important selection platform for several other international competitions.
Meet Director Eric Kisero described the championships as Uganda’s premier domestic event and stressed that performances at KISU will determine athletes who earn the opportunity to represent the country internationally.
“This is a premier event for our country. It is a selection event for the different international competitions,” Kisero said.
General Secretary Max Kanyerezi explained that swimmers deliberately prepare to peak for the Nationals because it serves as the federation’s primary selection competition.
“Nationals are one of those events everyone looks forward to because it is the event where we select athletes for various international competitions. It brings together athletes from all over the world who return to compete for Uganda, and they prepare specifically to perform at their very best.”
Among the federation’s biggest priorities this year is hosting the Zone III Swimming Championships later in October.
Uganda will welcome the region’s top swimmers at Kampala International School Uganda (KISU), the same venue hosting this week’s National Championships.
According to Kanyerezi, staging the Nationals at KISU is a deliberate strategy that allows organisers, technical officials and volunteers to test every aspect of event delivery before welcoming regional competitors.
“KISU is the venue we are going to use for the Zone III Swimming Championships. These National Championships are effectively our rehearsal before hosting the region later this year.”
President Mwase noted that Uganda enters the championships as the defending Zone III champions, having won the regional title across the previous four editions.
“We are the defending champions for the last four editions, and we hope to continue defending that title on home soil.”
Hosting the regional championships is expected to be one of the federation’s landmark achievements this year and a major opportunity to showcase Uganda’s organisational capacity.
Uganda Aquatics also confirmed preparations for the ANOCA Zone V Games, scheduled for Nairobi towards the end of August.
Although the announcement of the Games came later than expected, the federation says preparations have already begun. Uganda expects to nominate up to eight swimmers for the regional multi-sport event once the final selection process is completed.
Officials indicated that further details regarding qualification and final team selection will be communicated in due course.
Another major international assignment awaiting Uganda’s swimmers is the Dakar Youth Olympic Games.
Uganda Aquatics confirmed that preparations are already underway, with the federation expected to nominate four swimmers for the prestigious youth event. Selection will largely be based on performances during the National Championships, with additional details to be released as preparations progress.
For Uganda’s emerging swimmers, Dakar represents one of the most important opportunities to gain experience on the global stage.
The federation also confirmed that Uganda intends to participate in the World Aquatics Short Course Championships in Beijing later this year.
Like the other international events announced during the briefing, team selection will be guided by performances recorded during the National Championships.
Officials believe participation in Beijing provides another opportunity for Uganda’s swimmers to measure themselves against the world’s elite while continuing to improve international competitiveness.
With the Commonwealth Games squad confirmed, preparations intensifying for the ANOCA Zone V Games, the Dakar Youth Olympic Games, the World Aquatics Short Course Championships in Beijing and the hosting of the Zone III Championships, Uganda Aquatics believes 2026 represents one of the federation’s most significant years yet.
And as swimmers prepare to compete for national honours this week, they will also be racing for something much bigger, the chance to wear Uganda’s colours across Africa and the world in what promises to be a defining year for Ugandan aquatics.