Uganda Rowing successfully staged the Uganda Rowing Beach Sprint Invitational, presented by The North Green School (TNGS), during the Buganda Royal Regatta Finals at Bunjako Beach in Mpigi District.
This brought the speed and excitement of Beach Sprint rowing before an audience of more than 2,000 spectators.
The Invitational brought together athletes from Uganda Rowing’s active clubs. It marked the largest audience for a rowing competition in Uganda to date, providing an important platform for domestic competition while introducing the Beach Sprint discipline to a significantly wider public audience.
The event was made possible through the sponsorship of The North Green School, whose support enabled Uganda Rowing to deliver the Invitational and provide athletes with a competitive platform, including cash prizes for the top three performers.
The partnership reflects TNGS’s growing support for rowing development in Uganda. It demonstrates the potential of collaboration between education and sport to create meaningful opportunities for athletes and increase the visibility of emerging sporting disciplines.
Namunyu sets new personal best
On the water, Elijah Namunyu of Maroons Aqua Sports Club delivered the standout performance of the day, winning the CM1x gold medal in 2:32.31, a new personal best.
Joshua Masola of Kampala Rowing Club claimed silver in 2:47.50, while teammate Derrick Muhindo secured bronze.
The Invitational also featured 14-year-old Grace Kyomuhendo of UPDF Rowing Club in the CJW1x category.
As the sole junior female entrant, Kyomuhendo completed the Time Trial alongside the men’s field, gaining valuable Beach Sprint racing experience and representing an important part of Uganda Rowing’s efforts to develop junior and female participation.
Athletes from Maroons Aqua Sports Club, Kampala Rowing Club, Kisubi Pirates Rowing Club and UPDF Rowing Club participated in the competition.
From Coach Development to Competition
The Invitational also demonstrated the impact of Uganda Rowing’s continued investment in building technical capacity within its clubs.
Athletes were supported by club coaches Abubaker Kakule and Godfrey Chan Wengo of Maroons Aqua Sports Club, Sulaiman Ssegawa of Kisubi Pirates Rowing Club, Mugisha Kwiringira of Kampala Rowing Club, and Christine Kabuwo and Bosco Zziwa of UPDF Rowing Club.
Several of the coaches supporting athletes at Bunjako were among those who undertook the World Rowing Level 1 Development Coach Course in Uganda in 2025, demonstrating the progression from coach education into practical athlete development and competition.
This technical capacity extended beyond athlete coaching. The coastal boats used for the Invitational were carefully transported, prepared and managed by Dr Gerry Noble, Vice President Technical and Operations of Uganda Rowing, who also completed the World Rowing Level 1 Development Coach Course.
The competition was overseen by Batenga Nakisozi, Uganda Rowing National Coach and Secretary General, who also serves as Technical Chair of the Buganda Royal Regatta, providing an important technical link between Uganda Rowing and the wider Regatta programme.
Together, these roles demonstrated the growing technical structure supporting rowing in Uganda, from coach education and club-level athlete development to equipment management and competition delivery.
A collaborative effort
Beach Sprint racing depends on much more than the athletes on the water. Rapid boat turnaround, safe equipment handling and efficient transitions between races require a coordinated team working behind the scenes.
Akii Rowing played an important role in the operational delivery of the Invitational, providing boat handlers who worked alongside the Uganda Rowing technical team and participating clubs throughout the competition.
The Akii Rowing team comprised Kenneth Masaba, Josh Mashereka, Mugisha Ernest and Muhoozi Dickson, who supported boat handling and athlete transitions during racing.
Their contribution, alongside that of Dr Noble, the participating club coaches and the wider technical team, helped ensure the equipment and athletes moved efficiently through the Beach Sprint competition format.
The event provided a practical demonstration of different parts of Uganda’s rowing community working together: athletes, clubs, trained coaches, administrators, technical personnel and boat handlers, supported by partners committed to creating opportunities for the sport to grow.
A new audience for rowing
The inclusion of the Invitational within the Buganda Royal Regatta Finals provided Uganda Rowing with an exceptional platform to showcase the sport beyond its traditional audience.
With more than 2,000 spectators gathered at Bunjako Beach in Mpigi District, Beach Sprint racing was placed directly before a large and engaged crowd, many experiencing competitive rowing for the first time.
The format, combining a beach sprint, rapid boat entry, high-intensity coastal rowing and a sprint back across the beach to the finish, provided spectators with an exciting introduction to one of rowing’s fastest-growing disciplines.
For Uganda Rowing, the Invitational represents another step towards building a stronger domestic competition structure, increasing participation, developing technical capacity and creating greater visibility for athletes and clubs.
The success of the event demonstrated what can be achieved when partnership, technical development, domestic competition and opportunity come together to grow the sport.
Results
CM1x – Coastal Men’s Solo:
- Gold: Elijah Namunyu – Maroons Aqua Sports Club – 2:32.31 (PB)
- Silver: Joshua Masola – Kampala Rowing Club – 2:47.50
- Bronze: Derrick Muhindo – Kampala Rowing Club – 3:06.15
CJW1x – Coastal Junior Women’s Solo
- Grace Kyomuhendo (14) – UPDF Rowing Club – 4:15.97
