At just 13 years old, Condoleezza Thembo Nakazibwe is already proving that determination, resilience, and ambition can overcome even the greatest challenges. The Ugandan para-swimmer, who competes in the S9 classification and represents Gators Swim Club Kampala, continues to make impressive strides on the regional and international swimming scene as she prepares for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Her recent performances at the Kenya Aquatics National Long Course Swimming Championships in Nairobi, coupled with a new sponsorship and brand ambassador partnership with Taupoc, mark another significant chapter in the young athlete’s rapidly developing career.

Valuable Lessons from Kenya’s Toughest Competition

Held from May 29 to 31, 2026, at the Kasarani Aquatic Stadium, the Kenya Aquatics National Long Course Swimming Championships attracted some of East Africa’s strongest swimmers, providing a highly competitive environment for athletes looking to test themselves against the region’s best.

For Nakazibwe, the championships were more than just another competition—they were an important stepping stone on her journey towards Glasgow 2026.

Competing in the Girls 12–13 age category, she featured in the demanding 200m Butterfly, one of swimming’s most physically challenging events. Demonstrating courage and determination, she qualified for the final and finished third among the finalists with a time of 3:35.13.

Although her performance fell outside the Kenya Aquatics qualifying standard of 3:15.98, reaching the final represented an important achievement and offered valuable championship experience against elite regional competitors.

She also competed in the 50m Backstroke, clocking 45.48 seconds in the preliminary heats in a field that featured more than 40 swimmers. The event provided another opportunity to measure her progress against some of East Africa’s strongest age-group swimmers.

Reflecting on her experience in Nairobi, Nakazibwe described the competition as both challenging and rewarding.

“I found the Kenyan Nationals very involving and very rough. They have a lot of competition. So, I feel like it’s a very good game and I wish I can come back very soon,” she said.

The championships may not have seen her among the top overall point scorers, but they provided something equally important: race experience, confidence, and performance benchmarks that will help shape her preparations for future international competitions.

Building Momentum Towards Glasgow 2026

Nakazibwe has already been selected to represent Uganda at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, a milestone that reflects her growing stature within Uganda’s para-sport community.

For the young swimmer, competing in Kenya offered a valuable opportunity to assess her current level and establish targets for the months ahead.

“You made podiums in some of your events. How does that make you feel ahead of Glasgow 2026?” she was asked.

“It makes me feel good because it shows me that I’m in the right place to perform in Glasgow and represent better. It shows me that I’m cutting my times and performing better. It’s showing me self-improvement,” she responded.

The championships served as a measuring stick for where she currently stands and where she hopes to be when she arrives in Scotland.

“I feel like the Kenyan Nationals have helped me prepare for Glasgow in a way that it has given me a way to set my times and goals, to prepare and be able to cut them when I go for Glasgow, and to better the times so that it can help me and also help me swim better.”

Such reflections highlight the maturity and focus that have become defining characteristics of the young athlete.

A New Chapter with Taupoc

Beyond her performances in the pool, Nakazibwe’s participation in Nairobi also marked the beginning of an exciting new partnership as a brand ambassador for Taupoc.

The sponsorship deal represents a significant boost for the young swimmer as she continues her journey towards becoming one of Uganda’s leading para-athletes.

Speaking about the partnership, Nakazibwe expressed her excitement and gratitude.

“Being the brand ambassador for Taupoc is a very nice opportunity that I’m very glad to have taken on because now it’s going to help me perform better. It’s also going to help me push myself to higher limits and set better goals in future.”

During the championships, she debuted a Taupoc swimsuit and immediately noticed the positive impact it had on her confidence.

“I would say that it’s very comfortable and I just like its colours and all that stuff. So, it has really boosted my confidence. It has given me more confidence to swim the races.”

For many athletes, confidence can be as important as physical preparation, and Nakazibwe believes the partnership will help her continue developing both on and off the pool deck.

The Importance of Sponsorship in Para Sport

For para-athletes, access to quality equipment, training resources, and financial support can often determine how far their talent can take them.

Nakazibwe recognizes the importance of having a sponsor who believes in her potential.

“As a para-swimmer, I feel like the brand ambassadorship is going to help me with expenses and stuff like that. Also, being able to represent a brand and show it internationally is also a big deal.”

She also believes that the partnership will elevate her profile as she prepares to compete on larger international stages.

“I feel like it has helped me get to be more international in a way. Because now being a brand ambassador of something is not a small deal. So being able to represent Taupoc has been a very nice opportunity that I’m glad to have taken on.”

The deal highlights growing recognition of her achievements and the promise she holds for the future of Ugandan para-swimming.

A Story of Resilience

Nakazibwe’s journey is remarkable not only because of her performances in the water but also because of the adversity she has overcome.

After losing her left arm in an accident in 2019, many would have struggled to find a way forward. Instead, she chose the pool and transformed a life-changing challenge into a platform for excellence.

Since then, she has emerged as one of Uganda’s most inspiring young para-athletes, winning medals, breaking records, and earning opportunities to compete internationally.

Her story is a powerful reminder that disability does not define ability.

Eyes on Glasgow

With the Kenya Nationals now behind her, Nakazibwe’s focus turns fully towards Glasgow 2026. The lessons learned in Nairobi, the confidence gained from podium finishes, and the support provided by her new Taupoc partnership have placed her in a strong position as preparations intensify.

At only 13 years old, she still has many years of development ahead of her. Yet the signs are already clear: she possesses the determination, talent, and mindset needed to succeed at the highest levels of para-swimming.

As Uganda prepares its team for Glasgow, Condoleezza Thembo Nakazibwe stands as one of the country’s brightest young sporting prospects a resilient athlete whose journey continues to inspire and whose best performances may still lie ahead.

The post Condoleezza Nakazibwe: Rising above limits as Glasgow 2026 beckons appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

As dawn broke over Nairobi on Friday morning, excitement was already building at the magnificent Kasarani Aquatic Stadium.

By 6:00 a.m., swimmers and coaches from across East and Southern Africa had arrived at the venue, beginning their warm-up routines ahead of the opening day of the 2026 Kenya Aquatics National Swimming Championships.

Widely regarded as one of the biggest swimming competitions in the region, the championship has attracted more than 80 clubs and hundreds of swimmers competing over three days of intense racing.

By 8:30 a.m., the first races were underway, with the girls’ 1500m freestyle setting the tone for what would become a long but thrilling day of competition.

The Kasarani Aquatic Stadium provided a fitting stage for the regional showpiece. The spacious and well-organized facility offered ample seating for spectators and designated camping areas for the many teams attending the event. Two marshalling areas ensured a smooth flow of swimmers from warm-up zones to the competition pool, helping organizers manage the large numbers efficiently throughout the day.

While the organization and venue received praise from athletes and coaches alike, the opening day stretched well into the evening, with competition concluding close to 8:00 p.m. The inclusion of demanding endurance events such as the 1500m freestyle races and the gruelling 400m individual medleys contributed to the lengthy schedule. Nevertheless, participants remained optimistic that subsequent days would run slightly faster while maintaining the high standards set on day one.

Amid the excitement and intensity of the opening day, Uganda’s swimming fraternity delivered an impressive statement of intent. Swimmers from Dolphins Swim Club Kampala, Sailfish Swim Club Kampala, Otters Swim Club Uganda, Gators Swim Club Kampala, Imara Aquatics Sports Club, Torpedo Swim Club, and Aqua Akii showcased their talent against some of the strongest competition in the region, collecting medals, finals appearances, and numerous qualifying times.

Dolphins Lead Uganda’s Medal Charge

Dolphins Swim Club Kampala emerged as one of Uganda’s most successful teams on the opening day, collecting several gold medals and podium finishes.

The club’s biggest star of the day was undoubtedly Tyrah Dorothy Muganzi, who captured gold in the Girls 14-15 200m Butterfly. Muganzi swam a controlled race to touch first in 2:49.18, ahead of a strong regional field. She later returned to claim bronze in the Girls 14-15 50m Backstroke, completing an excellent day’s work.

Another standout Dolphins swimmer was Jinan Nakato, who produced one of the fastest performances by any Ugandan swimmer on Day One. Nakato stormed to gold in the Girls 12-13 100m Freestyle, clocking 1:05.88 after leading both the preliminaries and final.

The boys also contributed significantly to the Dolphins medal tally. Benjamin Ssali won gold in the Boys 14-15 200m Butterfly with a commanding swim of 2:36.05, while Malachi Ssali earned silver in the Boys 12-13 200m Butterfly.

In the sprint backstroke events, Dolphins secured multiple medals. Gabriella Opolot won silver in the Girls 14-15 50m Backstroke, while senior swimmer Pendo Kaumi claimed bronze in the Boys 16 and Over 50m Backstroke. Young swimmer Manuel Kitibwa Ssemanda also reached the final of the Boys 12-13 50m Backstroke and finished seventh overall.

The club’s numerous finalists and top-eight finishes across several age groups highlighted the strength of its athlete development programme and its ability to compete across all disciplines.

Gators Dominate the Distance Events

Another standout performance of the day came from Gators Swim Club Kampala’s young distance specialists.

Twelve-year-old Berekiah Lutaaya produced a remarkable swim to win gold in the Boys 12-13 1500m Freestyle. Lutaaya touched the wall in an outstanding 21:19.38, comfortably ahead of the rest of the field and securing maximum points for his club.

Gators continued their strong showing in the distance events through Aiden Akubu Immelman, who claimed silver in the Boys 14-15 1500m Freestyle after clocking 19:35.64. Teammate Jayden Keith Kagumaho also featured strongly in the same event, finishing seventh.

The club’s endurance strength was further highlighted by Benjamin Lutaaya, who earned silver in the Boys 16 and Over 1500m Freestyle with a time of 19:42.95.

Later in the day, Gators added another podium finish through Thembo Katende, who secured silver in the Boys 16 and Over 200m Butterfly, further cementing the club’s status among the day’s strongest performers.

Sailfish Impress Through Their Rising Stars

Sailfish Swim Club Kampala delivered one of the most consistent performances among the Ugandan contingent.

The club opened its medal account through Alma Koome, who secured bronze in the Girls 10-11 1500m Freestyle after a strong swim of 24:23.08.

In the Girls 10-11 200m Butterfly, Sailfish dominated the event by claiming both gold and silver. Katja Kimani produced an excellent performance to win the event in 3:02.87, while teammate Audrey Nyonyintono finished second in 3:17.02.

Sailfish continued to shine in the sprint backstroke events. Gianna Opolot earned silver in the Girls 10-11 50m Backstroke after clocking 37.30, while teammate Seth Kabogoza claimed bronze in the Boys 10-11 category.

The Kampala-based club also celebrated a major podium finish in the senior ranks as Matthew Mwase secured silver in the Boys 16 and Over 50m Backstroke with a time of 29.15.

Sailfish swimmers consistently featured in finals throughout the day, underlining the depth and quality that the club has developed over recent seasons.

Imara Aquatics Continues to Rise

Imara Aquatics Sports Club delivered one of its strongest championship starts in recent years, collecting several medals across age categories.

Gabriela Eleanor Nakimuli impressed in the Girls 12-13 50m Backstroke, finishing fifth in a highly competitive final.

The club’s boys produced even stronger results. Kristian Mugumya Bwisho claimed silver in the Boys 12-13 50m Backstroke, while Ssango Kigundu earned fifth place in the Boys 14-15 50m Backstroke final.

Among the senior swimmers, Karla Mugisha secured bronze in the Girls 16 and Over 50m Backstroke, adding another medal to Uganda’s tally.

These performances demonstrated Imara’s growing reputation as a club capable of producing swimmers who can compete at the highest regional level.

Otters Deliver Strong Finals Performances

Otters Swim Club Uganda also enjoyed a productive opening day.

Najjuma Nisha Pearl narrowly missed the podium in the Girls 12-13 50m Backstroke, finishing fourth in a tightly contested final. Fellow Otters swimmer Valeria Nassozi reached the final of the Girls 10-11 50m Backstroke and finished sixth overall.

On the boys’ side, Arthur Munyiri qualified for the Boys 14-15 50m Backstroke final and placed sixth, while several other Otters swimmers achieved qualifying standards and personal best performances.

Generally, Day One of the Kenya Aquatics National Swimming Championships highlighted the continued growth of Ugandan swimming. From long-distance specialists and butterfly champions to sprint backstroke finalists, Ugandan swimmers consistently challenged for medals across nearly every age group.

Particularly encouraging was the performance of the younger swimmers, many of whom not only reached finals but also achieved qualifying standards and personal best times. Their success reflects the growing quality of coaching, athlete development programmes, and club structures within Uganda.

The atmosphere at Kasarani throughout the day reflected the significance of the championship. Team tents lined the venue, coaches rallied their athletes from poolside, and supporters cheered every race as swimmers chased medals and qualifying times. Despite the demanding schedule, the energy remained high from the opening race in the morning until the final event of the evening.

With two more days of competition remaining, Ugandan teams have positioned themselves strongly for an even bigger medal haul. The performances of Dolphins, Sailfish, Gators, Imara, Otters and the wider Ugandan contingent have already established Uganda as one of the leading forces at this year’s championships.

As competition resumes at Kasarani, all eyes will remain on the Ugandan swimmers as they continue their pursuit of medals, records, and regional glory.

The post Ugandan swimmers make strong statement on opening day of Kenya National Championships appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

The stage is set for one of Uganda’s highly awaited swimming competitions as the 6th edition of the Silverfin Pentathlon dives into action this weekend, May 9–10, at Kampala International School Uganda.

Organised by Silverfin Academy, the event is expected to attract more than 600 swimmers from 26 clubs across Uganda and the wider East African region, including a visiting team from Rwanda.

Now in its eighth year since inception, with two editions lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Silverfin Pentathlon has steadily evolved into more than just another swimming gala. It has become a developmental benchmark for young athletes, designed to test versatility, discipline, endurance, and long-term growth in the sport.

Speaking during the official launch of the competition, Silverfin Academy founder Naomi Wandera described the pentathlon as an innovative competition aimed at helping swimmers measure balanced development across all strokes rather than specialising too early.

“We want to see swimmers who are advancing across all strokes,” Wandera explained. “This competition gives them a benchmark to monitor themselves and develop goal-setting skills. A child who cannot plan for when they are 14 or 16 may burn out early through overtraining or losing track because they lack measurable progress across the whole spectrum.”

Unlike standard swim meets that may focus heavily on one or two specialities, the pentathlon format challenges athletes across multiple disciplines. Swimmers will compete in the 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, and the 100m individual medley. Age categories range from six-year-olds to senior swimmers aged 17 and above.

According to coach Benon Binta Wamala, the competition structure is intentionally designed to encourage holistic swimming development while exposing athletes to high-level competitive environments.

“The Silverfin Pentathlon is a premier swimming meet,” Wamala said. “It provides a competitive platform for swimmers across various age groups to compete, improve performance, learn, and connect within the swimming community.”

This year’s edition will take place in KISU’s outdoor heated short-course pool featuring eight competition lanes, offering athletes world-class racing conditions. Winners in each age category, both male and female, will receive prizes and certificates, while all participants will earn certificates of participation. National and meet records set during the competition may also be recognised, if approved by Uganda Aquatics.

Over the past decade, clubs such as Silverfin Academy have played an increasingly influential role in talent identification and athlete development, complementing the work of Uganda Aquatics, which will officiate the event. 

Wandera noted that the academy’s broader mission goes beyond competition results, emphasising character building and athlete sustainability.

“The point of emphasis is excellence,” she said. “We want to develop swimmers who understand discipline, goal setting, and who are in swimming for the long term.”

The competition has also attracted growing corporate and community support, underlining the increasing commercial and social value of youth sports in Uganda.

Among the event partners is Pepsi Uganda through Crown Beverages, which has provided 60 cartons of Nirvana water to support hydration during the two-day championship. Representing the company, shopper manager Emmanuel Rutaremwa said the partnership aligns with Pepsi’s community engagement strategy in schools and youth activities.

“We are looking forward to continuity,” Rutaremwa said. “As Pepsi, we are very interested in supporting the community through corporate social responsibility.”

Technology brand Blacklyf Uganda has also joined the event, bringing performance-based incentives, including smartwatches, headphones, and shopping vouchers for outstanding swimmers. Marketing executive Creed Bryan said the partnership reflects the brand’s interest in wellness, discipline, and youth empowerment.

“Swimming represents discipline, community development, and wellness,” Bryan noted. “We always want to be part of the community and support young people in achieving their goals.”

Meanwhile, local beauty and wellness brand The Makeover Place will reward selected swimmers with salon gift cards. Representing the company, swim parent Helen Agume highlighted the broader lifestyle and health benefits of swimming for children.

“It gets them off gadgets, keeps them active, helps them make friends, and keeps them fit,” Agume said.

About the Event

• Event: Silverfin Pentathlon, 6th Edition 
• Date: 9th-10th May 2026
• Venue: Kampala International School Uganda 
• Meet Times: 8:00 a.m.

The post Silverfin Pentathlon returns with Regional Flair and focus on excellence appeared first on Kawowo Sports.