Uganda’s swimmers have made an encouraging start to the 11th Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships in Kampala, delivering a series of strong performances across the opening two days as the regional competition brings together swimmers from across the zone.
The championships, running from October 21 to 25 at Kampala International School Uganda (KISU), have already produced exciting individual races, closely contested finishes and impressive relay performances, with Uganda’s young swimmers making their presence felt against regional rivals.
From the younger age groups to the senior swimmers, the opening days have offered a glimpse of the depth of talent on display, while Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia have also registered notable results.
Day One: Uganda’s young swimmers lead the charge
Uganda opened its campaign with several impressive performances on Wednesday, October 21, particularly in the individual medley, breaststroke and backstroke events.
One of the standout results came from Marie Mbanga Zara, who won the girls’ 15-and-over 400-metre individual medley in 5:27.09, improving on her entry time of 5:29.64. Teammate Paloma Kirabo finished second in 5:48.49, giving Uganda a one-two finish in the event.
In the boys’ 14-and-under 400m individual medley, Elijah Ayesiga and Kristian Bwisho Mugumya finished second and third, respectively, clocking 5:24.61 and 5:28.50. Kenya’s Harith Muses took the title in 5:08.42.
Uganda’s breaststroke swimmers also made their mark. Mushira Nabatanzi won the girls’ 12-and-under 50m breaststroke in 36.73 seconds, while Ibrahim Lule claimed the boys’ equivalent in 34.60 seconds, ahead of teammate Malachi Ssali, who clocked 35.52.
Gabriella Asima Opolot and Gabriella Eleanor Ndyanabo secured first and second places in the girls’ 13–14 50m breaststroke, recording 35.51 and 36.18 seconds respectively.
The senior boys also delivered a memorable result in the 50m breaststroke. Larry Feni won the 17-and-over race in 29.56 seconds, followed closely by Nathan Nsereko (who is also the Team Uganda Captain) in 29.74, completing another Ugandan one-two finish.
There were further podium finishes in the backstroke events. Gabriella Eleanor Nakimuli won the girls’ 12-and-under 200m backstroke in 2:40.41, with teammate Valeria Nassozi taking third in 2:44.28.
Adam Katumba added another Ugandan victory in the boys’ 13–14 200m backstroke, touching in 2:21.93 ahead of Tanzania’s Max Missokia, who finished in 2:22.30.
In the girls’ 15–16 200m backstroke, Paloma Kirabo won in 2:32.86, while Tyrah Muganzi finished second in 2:42.54.
Uganda showed strength across several age groups, although the competition remained open, with swimmers from Kenya and Tanzania challenging strongly in several events.
Day Two: Relay victories underline Uganda’s strength
Thursday, October 22, brought another busy programme, with the butterfly and backstroke events providing some of the day’s highlights before the relays delivered more excitement.
Uganda’s Gabriella Asima Opolot continued her impressive meet, winning the girls’ 13–14 100m butterfly in 1:10.22. She finished ahead of Tanzania’s Nicolene Viljoen, who clocked 1:10.92, and Leyna Borega, who recorded 1:11.46.
In the girls’ 12-and-under 100m butterfly, Kenya’s Katja Kimani won in 1:11.92, with Uganda’s Mushira Nabatanzi second in 1:12.88 and Audrey Nyonyintono third in 1:14.53.
Malachi Ssali and Ibrahim Lule delivered another Ugandan one-two finish in the boys’ 12-and-under 100m butterfly, clocking 1:07.94 and 1:09.40 respectively.
Uganda also enjoyed success in the boys’ 17-and-over 100m butterfly, where Mathew Ryland Andrew won in 58.29 seconds. Kenya’s Nathan Matimu followed in 58.67, while Uganda’s Alex Rumanyika finished fourth in 1:01.12.
The relay events proved particularly rewarding for the hosts. Uganda won the girls’ 14-and-under 200m medley relay in 2:10.38, with the team comprising Gabriella Asima Opolot, Gabriella Eleanor Ndyanabo, Mackayla Ssali and Mushira Nabatanzi.
The boys’ 14-and-under relay team of Adam Katumba, Elijah Ayesiga, Shane Mugenyi and William Sanford also secured victory, clocking 1:57.23 ahead of Tanzania and Kenya.
Uganda completed a clean sweep of the four medley relay events listed in the results when its girls’ 15-and-over team won in 2:05.15, and its boys’ 15-and-over team triumphed in 1:48.31.
The senior girls’ team featured Paloma Kirabo, Tara Kisawuzi, Gloria Muzito and Namutebi Kirabo. The boys’ quartet comprised Shaun Kairumba Murungi, Larry Feni, Mathew Ryland Andrew and Matthew Mwase.
Kenya finished second in both senior relay events, while Tanzania took third in the boys’ race.
Individual backstroke races added to Uganda’s tally. Mushira Nabatanzi won the girls’ 12-and-under 50m backstroke in 34.85 seconds, while Malachi Ssali claimed the boys’ title in 33.56.
Gabriella Asima Opolot added another victory in the girls’ 13–14 50m backstroke, finishing in 32.01 seconds. In the boys’ 15–16 50m backstroke, Hakim Abdou won in 28.02 seconds, with teammate Jonathan Kaweesa second in 28.81.
Among the older boys, Matthew Mwase and Daniel Rukundo secured first and second places in the 17-and-over 50m backstroke, clocking 28.00 and 28.07 seconds respectively.
The challenge continues
With two days of competition complete, Uganda has demonstrated strength in individual events and relays, particularly among its younger swimmers. However, the performances from Kenya, Tanzania and the other participating teams show that the battle for regional honours remains competitive.
The championships continue on Friday and Saturday with more pool events, giving swimmers further opportunities to improve their times, secure podium finishes and contribute to their teams’ campaigns.
Sunday will shift the focus to open water swimming, bringing the championships to a close with a different test of endurance, tactics and race management beyond the pool.
As the competition enters its second half, Uganda will be looking to build on its opening performances on home soil, while its regional rivals will be eager to respond in the remaining events.