Dolphins Swim Club Kampala arrived at the 2026 Hertz Invitational Swimming Gala carrying the confidence of a club built on discipline, depth and consistent athlete development. They left Kampala Parents School not only as overall champions, but also as the undisputed benchmark for boys’ swimming and one of the most complete development programs in Ugandan aquatics.
The fourth edition of the Hertz Invitational was designed to celebrate emerging talent, encourage competitive racing and measure the progress of clubs across all age groups. Over two days of intense competition, Dolphins did far more than collect medals. They showcased a system that consistently develops swimmers at every stage—from six-year-olds learning race composure to teenagers capable of winning high-level sprint events.
According to the official standings, Dolphins amassed 694.5 points to claim the overall title, finishing ahead of Black Panther Swim Club (622.5 points) and Gators Swim Club Kampala (575 points). The victory was built on an outstanding boys’ performance worth 482 points, the highest boys’ total at the gala, while the girls contributed a crucial 212.5 points to secure the combined championship.
Yet what made the triumph particularly impressive was that it did not depend on one exceptional swimmer. Instead, Dolphins accumulated points through dozens of athletes competing across multiple age groups and disciplines.
In developmental swimming, depth is often a better measure of long-term success than a handful of elite performers, and Dolphins demonstrated exactly that.
From the youngest competitors to the 13–14 age category, the club consistently placed swimmers in finals, medal positions and scoring places. Even in races they did not win, Dolphins frequently had several swimmers finishing inside the top ten, steadily building their points tally event after event.
This was not the story of one athlete carrying a team. It was the story of an entire program delivering.
The final day began with the youngest age groups, and Dolphins immediately showed that their development pipeline is thriving.
In the Girls’ 7–8 25m Butterfly, Stella Mpuuja Nansubuga finished among the leading swimmers in a field of nearly 90 competitors, while Arriana Lugolobi Naggitta also produced a strong performance to contribute valuable points.
On the boys’ side, Timothy Sinza Ssemanda delivered a composed swim to finish inside the top ten in the Boys’ 7–8 25m Butterfly. Travis Kato, Edibu Leroy and several other Dolphins youngsters continued the club’s steady scoring momentum.
These may not have been headlining victories, but they reflected something equally significant: Dolphins had competitive swimmers throughout virtually every stage of the developmental program.
If one event perfectly illustrated Dolphins’ dominance, it was the Boys’ 9–10 25m Butterfly. Daniel Sebaana produced one of the standout performances of the gala, storming to victory in 15.68 seconds. Teammate Isaac Gabriel Isabirye followed in third with 16.05 seconds, giving Dolphins two places on the podium.
Behind them, Hanael Kukiriza Ssenyonjo, Maxwell Anglin, Kayden Mugwaneza, Asher Akampurira, Jared Douglas Wasswa, Raees Senteza and Elisha Palmer Kisamba all finished in scoring positions, turning a single race into a massive points haul.
This was the moment Dolphins began separating themselves from the chasing pack.
Other clubs had finalists. Dolphins had waves of finalists.
Sebaana’s victory was not an isolated performance. Throughout the gala, Dolphins swimmers consistently featured among the leading competitors in butterfly, freestyle and backstroke sprint events.
Their sharp starts, efficient underwater phases and strong finishes reflected structured coaching rather than raw talent alone.
While the boys powered the title challenge, the girls ensured Dolphins remained competitive against strong Black Panther and Otters squads.
In the Girls’ 9–10 25m Butterfly, Bailey Renee Mukasa, Malaika Nassuna Miiro, Ruby Hadassah, Dariana Blessing Kitamirike and Rinnah Aurelia Nakato all collected valuable points in one of the day’s deepest fields.
The club may not have won the race, but collective scoring from multiple swimmers proved invaluable.
The same pattern continued in the Girls’ 11–12 50m Butterfly, where Shammah Namara led the Dolphins contingent with a strong top-ten finish. Alison Athiyo, Tirzah Neemayake, Joy Namagembe, Kylie Ingabirye and Rhanella Lugoloobi Nabasirye all added further points.
Again, Dolphins relied on consistency rather than individual brilliance.
Their older swimmers ensured the club remained competitive in the physically demanding teenage events.
In the Girls’ 13–14 50m Butterfly, Jehan Babirye claimed bronze behind Otters’ Nisha Pearl Najjuma and Black Panther’s Daniela Munguci, while Rutendo Emejeit also contributed valuable points.
On the boys’ side, Manuel Kitibwa Ssemanda finished second in the Boys’ 13–14 50m Butterfly with 28.90 seconds, narrowly behind Black Panther’s Benjamin Ssali. Baraka Kaumi added another top-eight finish to reinforce Dolphins’ strength among the teenage sprinters.
These performances carried added significance because the older age groups often feature the highest level of youth competition. Dolphins were not simply winning junior races—they were consistently challenging in the gala’s premier categories.
One of the quieter strengths of the Dolphins program was its performance in backstroke.
In the youngest divisions, Helsa Muwanguzi Ssenyonjo and Pasha Hezekiah Kisamba delivered solid swims in the Under-6 backstroke events, while several other Dolphins swimmers featured prominently across the developmental backstroke races.
Strong backstroke development is often overlooked, yet it usually reflects sound body position, efficient kicking and strong technical foundations. Dolphins’ presence across these events suggested a balanced program rather than one focused solely on sprint success.
Beyond the medals and points, Dolphins displayed a culture that was impossible to ignore. Throughout the gala, swimmers enthusiastically supported one another from poolside. Younger athletes celebrated older teammates, relays were approached with intensity, and the club maintained a vibrant presence from the opening event to the final race.
Dolphins Swim Club Kampala
- Combined Points: 694.5
- Boys’ Points: 482
- Girls’ Points: 212.5
- Winning Margin over Black Panther: 72 points
- Winning Margin over Gators: 119.5 points
Several Dolphins swimmers already display qualities associated with future national-level athletes.
- Daniel Sebaana – explosive sprint speed and race confidence.
- Isaac Gabriel Isabirye – excellent technical efficiency.
- Manuel Kitibwa Ssemanda – strong teenage sprint competitor.
- Jehan Babirye – emerging contender in the senior youth ranks.
- Shammah Namara – consistently impressive butterfly swimmer.