The 9th edition of the Dolphins Fast & Furious Gala 2026 lived up to its name, turning the pool into a showcase of speed, emerging talent and record-breaking performances as more than 600 swimmers from 37 clubs converged for the two-day competition.
Held from September 5-6, the gala produced a remarkable 25 new Fast & Furious records, underlining the increasingly competitive standard of Ugandan swimming.
At the centre of the record-breaking story was Tendo Mukalazi of Aqua Akii, who produced one of the standout individual performances of the gala. Mukalazi broke five Fast & Furious records, including the 100m Individual Medley in 58.61, the 50m breaststroke in 29.33, the 50m backstroke in 26.80, and the 50m freestyle in 22.93. He also came within touching distance of the 50m butterfly record, winning in 25.86.
His 50m freestyle performance was particularly striking, as he lowered the previous gala mark of 23.26 to 22.93, while his 26.80 in the backstroke also reset the benchmark.
But the gala was far bigger than one swimmer.
The different age categories revealed a promising pipeline of swimmers capable of carrying Ugandan swimming forward.
In the 6–8 age group, Kayondo Halwah of Axolots and Liam Bbosa of Altona emerged as the leading swimmers. Bbosa backed up his age-group recognition by breaking the 100m IM record in 1:28.70 and the 25m freestyle mark in 15.04.
The 9–10 category belonged to Aya Adams of Blue Whales and Isaac Gabriel of Dolphins. Adams was particularly impressive, breaking records in the 100m IM, 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle, while Gabriel set a new 50m butterfly mark of 33.99.
In the 11–12 category, Mushirah Nabatanzi of Aqua Akii and Shane Mugyenyi of Otters stood out. Nabatanzi lowered the 50m butterfly record to 31.30, while Mugyenyi posted 1:08.25 in the 100m IM and 28.51 in the 50m butterfly.
The 13–14 age group saw Gabriella Opolot of Ozpreys and Benjamin Sali of Black Panther take the top honours. Opolot added her name to the record books with a 30.40 in the 50m butterfly, while Dolphins’ own swimmers also featured strongly, with Mackayla Ssali finishing second in that event and recording 31.00.
In the 15-and-over category, Theresa Kikambi of Dolphins led the women, while Mukalazi dominated the men’s category with his record haul.
For the hosts, the gala also reminded everyone of the depth being developed within Dolphins Swim Club. Pendo Kaumi finished third behind Mukalazi and Matthew Mwase in the 50m butterfly with 26.59, while also taking second behind Mukalazi in the 100m IM with 1:01.32.
The Dolphins contingent also featured prominently across the younger categories, including strong performances from Mackayla Ssali, Jinan Nakato, Jehan Babirye and Esther Nabirye in the 13–14 girls’ breaststroke.
Ultimately, the 2026 Fast & Furious Gala was more than a weekend of racing. With 600-plus swimmers, 37 clubs and 25 records, it offered a snapshot of Ugandan swimming at several stages of development, from children discovering competitive swimming to established athletes still pushing the limits.
And if the records are anything to go by, the next generation is already swimming fast enough to challenge them.
Dolphins Fast & Furious 2026: Top swimmers by age group
6 – 8
- Kayondo Halwah (Axolots)
- Liam Bossa (Altona)
9 – 10
- Aya Adams (Blue Whales)
- Isaac Gabriel (Dolphins)
11 – 12
- Mushira Nabatanzi (Aquatic)
- Shane Mugyenyi (Otters)
13 – 14
- Opolot Gabriella (Ozypreys)
- Benjamin Sali (Black Panther)
15 and Over
- Kikambi Theresa (Dolphins)
- Mukalazi Tendo (Aqua Akii)
Dolphins Fast & Furious 2026 – Record Breakers
| Name | Gender | Age | Club | Event | Seed/Previous | Final / Record |
| Liam, Bbosa | Male | 8 | Altona | 100 IM | 1:31.80 | 1:28.70 |
| Adams, Aya O | Female | 10 | Blue Whales | 100 IM | 1:19.73 | 1:19.62 |
| Shane, Mugenyi | Male | 12 | OSCU | 100 IM | 1:13.31 | 1:08.25 |
| Mukalazi, Tendo | Male | 24 | Akii | 100 IM | 1:01.00 | 58.61 |
| Semakula, Tendo Denitah | Female | 8 | Blue Storms | 25 Breast | 21.05 | 19.70 |
| Saku, YudahRafael | Male | 8 | Nile | 25 Breast | 21.99 | 19.87 |
| Namugga, Blessing | Female | 10 | Angels | 50 Breast | 41.29 | 39.83 |
| Aronda, Jayson Ampaire | Male | 14 | Gators | 50 Breast | 33.18 | 33.22 |
| Mukalazi, Tendo | Male | 24 | Akii | 50 Breast | 30.00 | 29.33 |
| Adams, Aya O | Female | 10 | Blue Whales | 50 Back | 35.21 | 36.12 |
| Nakasule, Rahmah Kalungi | Female | 17 | AAK | 50 Back | 32.99 | 32.42 |
| Mukalazi, Tendo | Male | 24 | Akii | 50 Back | 29.00 | 26.80 |
| Kayondo, Halwah | Female | 8 | The Rare Breeds | 25 Fly | 17.81L | 17.51 |
| Asiimwe, Carson E | Male | 8 | Akii | 25 Fly | 18.55 | 17.27 |
| Adams, Aya O | Female | 10 | Blue Whales | 50 Fly | 33.39 | 33.05 |
| Isabirye, Isaac Gabriel | Male | 10 | Dsc-K | 50 Fly | 35.74 | 33.99 |
| Nabatanzi, Mushirah | Female | 12 | AAK | 50 Fly | 32.09 | 31.30 |
| Shane, Mugenyi | Male | 12 | OSCU | 50 Fly | 28.72 | 28.51 |
| Opolot, Gabriella A | Female | 14 | The Ozies | 50 Fly | 30.60 | 30.40 |
| Muganzi, Tyrah | Female | 15 | Gsc | 50 Fly | 29.72L | 29.56 |
| Kirabo, Alma | Female | 8 | Sailfish | 25 Free | 16.30 | 16.72 |
| Liam, Bbosa | Male | 8 | Altona | 25 Free | 15.94 | 15.04 |
| Adams, Aya O | Female | 10 | Blue Whales | 50 Free | 30.99 | 30.63 |
| Kisawuzi, Tara | Female | 18 | Altona | 50 Free | 26.17 | 27.78 |
| Mukalazi, Tendo | Male | 24 | Akii | 50 Free | 24.00 | 22.93 |