Ugandan swimmers are in Nairobi, Kenya, for the highly anticipated Age Group Long Course Swimming National Championships taking place from May 28 to 31 at the iconic Kasarani Aquatic Stadium.
The regional championship has attracted more than 80 teams from across East and Southern Africa, making it one of the biggest swimming competitions on the regional calendar.
Swimmers and clubs from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Madagascar are expected to battle for medals and titles in four days of intense competition and high-level performances.
Uganda has sent one of its strongest contingents yet, with more than 100 athletes representing clubs including Dolphins Swim Club Kampala, Aqua Akii Swim Club, Gators Swim Club, Otters Swim Club, Sailfish Swim Club and Imara Aquatics.
The growing numbers reflect the rapid rise of competitive swimming in Uganda, as more clubs continue to invest in training and exposing athletes to international competition.
Last year, Uganda made a huge statement when Gators Swim Club emerged as the overall winners of the championship. This year, the Ugandan teams return with even bigger ambitions, hoping to once again leave a mark on one of East Africa’s biggest swimming stages.
For many of the swimmers, however, the competition goes beyond medals and podium finishes. The championships offer valuable exposure to long-course racing in a 50-meter pool — an experience Ugandan swimmers never get at home due to the absence of 50-meter facilities in the country.
Coach Tony Kasujja of Dolphins Swim Club Kampala, whose team travelled with 31 athletes, one coach, three chaplains and four team leaders, says the competition is a major opportunity for growth and performance.
“Our main goal is to compete in a 50-meter pool environment and give our swimmers exposure to long course racing,” Kasujja explained. “We are aiming for personal best times, podium finishes and stronger World Aquatics points,” he added.
The championships will feature races across all major swimming disciplines, including freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke, with events ranging from 50 meters to 1500 meters for both boys and girls.
The meet will follow the international heats-and-finals format, with preliminary races held in the morning before the fastest swimmers return later in the day for finals. For several Ugandan coaches, the format itself presents an important learning opportunity.
Coach Achilles of Otters Swim Club, who travelled with three swimmers, described the championship as an experience-building platform for young athletes.
“Being a long-course meet, it’s an opportunity we do not normally get in Uganda,” he said. “My expectation is for the swimmers to achieve their best times, enjoy the experience and build friendships that will help them in their swimming journey.”
Sailfish Swim Club coach Joseph Kabogoza believes his team is better prepared this year after gaining valuable experience from the previous edition. Sailfish travelled with a team of 23 swimmers aged between 10 years and 18 and above.
“Last year, many of our swimmers were competing in long course for the first time,” Kabogoza said. “This year they return with more confidence and experience, and we expect stronger performances and a better medal tally.”
Kabogoza emphasized that the Kenyan Nationals are crucial for Ugandan swimmers because they provide the kind of exposure not available back home.
“We don’t have long course championships or 50-meter pools in Uganda,” he explained. “This meet gives swimmers the chance to experience international competition and also provides qualification opportunities for bigger events such as the Youth Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.”
Imara Aquatics coach Ezekeri Kalali, whose team travelled with 14 swimmers, highlighted the importance of helping swimmers adapt to the international structure of morning heats and evening finals.
“In Uganda, many swimmers are not used to competing in prelims and finals,” he said. “This competition helps both swimmers and coaches learn how to manage performance across the day and how to swim even faster in finals.”
He added that the championships are serving as a critical test event ahead of Uganda’s national competitions and future international assignments.
“This is like a rehearsal for bigger competitions,” Kalali explained. “It helps us identify strengths, weaknesses and areas we need to improve. It is also preparing these swimmers for future national team duties where long course racing and heats-and-finals formats are standard.”
As competition begins in Nairobi, expectations remain high within the Ugandan camp. Many swimmers are targeting not only medals and podium finishes, but also personal bests, qualification standards and valuable international experience.
With Uganda’s swimming standards continuing to rise, all eyes will be on Kasarani Aquatic Stadium to see whether the country’s young swimmers can once again prove themselves among the region’s finest.