Team Uganda’s young swimmers have continued to make their presence felt at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, delivering a mixture of heat victories, personal bests and tightly contested races as they take on some of the world’s promising young swimming talents.

Across November 3, 4 and 5, Mark Arthur Mwase, Peterson Inhensiko, Zara Marie Mbanga and Mary Peyton Suubi have carried Uganda’s swimming hopes into the pool at the Complexe Tour de l’Oeuf, showcasing determination and competitive spirit in their respective events.

From Mwase’s heat victory to Mbanga’s personal best and Inhensiko’s narrow finishes, Uganda’s campaign has offered several moments worth celebrating.

November 3: Mwase opens with a heat victory

Mwase set the tone for Uganda’s swimming campaign on November 3, winning the first heat of the men’s 400m freestyle in 4:28.12. Swimming in lane five, he finished ahead of Oman’s Ali Hassan Ahmed and Tanzania’s Okumu Zack in his heat, although his time placed him 22nd in the overall rankings.

The heat victory was an encouraging start for the Ugandan, who demonstrated his tenacity as he beat off Ahmed in the last 3-4 meters to get to the touch pads first. 

Mary Peyton Suubi also took to the pool in the women’s 100m breaststroke. She finished fifth in her heat with a time of 1:20.12, placing 17th overall. Suubi clocked 38.05 seconds at the 50m mark before completing the race, gaining valuable experience against a competitive field.

Peterson Inhensiko was Uganda’s representative in the men’s 50m freestyle. Swimming in lane seven of heat four, he clocked 24.73 seconds to finish second, just 0.40 seconds behind the heat winner. The close nature of the race was evident, with positions two to four separated by only 0.14 seconds.

Inhensiko’s performance placed him 21st overall, with the narrow margins underlining just how competitive the sprint event was.

November 4: Mbanga finds her personal best as Inhensiko battles in the butterfly

November 4 brought another opportunity for Uganda’s swimmers to test themselves, with Mbanga and Inhensiko competing in different events.

Mbanga delivered one of Uganda’s notable performances in the women’s 200m individual medley. She finished fifth in the first heat in a time of 2:35.56, a personal best, and ranked 10th overall.

Her race unfolded through splits of 32.42 seconds after the first 50m, 1:14.63 at the 100m mark and 1:58.81 after 150m, before she completed the final 50m to register her personal-best time.

The performance was particularly significant for Mbanga, who had previously competed in the 200m individual medley at the 2025 ISF Under-15 World School Sports Games in Serbia. Her progress in Dakar reflects the value of continued exposure to international competition.

Inhensiko, meanwhile, returned to the pool for the men’s 50m butterfly. Swimming in lane six of heat three, he clocked 27.33 seconds to finish fourth.

He was up against a competitive heat led by Suriname’s swimmer in 26.21 seconds, followed by Bahrain in 26.30 and Angola in 26.87. Inhensiko’s fourth-place finish kept him in the mix in an event where every fraction of a second mattered.

November 5: Inhensiko and Mbanga keep Uganda in the race

The third day of Uganda’s swimming action brought more sprint competition, with Inhensiko taking on the men’s 50m backstroke while Mbanga competed in the women’s 50m breaststroke.

Inhensiko swam in lane six of heat four, recording 28.13 seconds. He finished joint sixth in the heat alongside Moldova’s Chirill Certicovtev, with Portugal’s Miguel Reis Oliveira leading in 26.06 seconds. Croatia’s Jakov Wozdecky followed in 26.88, while Kenya’s Jeremy Rieck completed the top three in 27.49.

Inhensiko’s performance placed him 17th overall, adding another competitive outing to his Dakar campaign.

Mbanga delivered another encouraging performance in the women’s 50m breaststroke. She finished second in heat two with a time of 36.51 seconds, just 0.16 seconds behind Kenya’s Kalombo, who won the heat in 36.35 seconds.

Mbanga’s second-place finish in the heat was a positive result in a closely contested sprint. She had clocked 35.67 seconds in the 50m breaststroke at the Uganda Aquatics Independence Swimming Gala ahead of the Youth Olympic Games, giving context to her performance in Dakar.

While the overall rankings reflect the strength of the international field, the Ugandan swimmers have continued to demonstrate determination, improvement and a willingness to compete.

The swimming programme concludes on November 6, with Mwase still scheduled to compete in the men’s 200m freestyle. He is set to swim in heat one, lane five, offering Uganda one final opportunity to make its mark in the pool at Dakar 2026.

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Uganda turned home advantage into a memorable swimming triumph at the 11th edition of the Africa Aquatics Zone III Swimming Championships in Kampala, with its swimmers producing a string of impressive performances across the age categories to secure the overall title.

Held from October 21 to 25, 2026, the championships brought together swimmers from across the region, providing a competitive stage for established performers and emerging talents to test themselves against some of East Africa’s best.

Uganda’s success was built on more than a handful of standout performances. The hosts found winners across different age groups, strokes and distances, with the girls’ and boys’ teams both contributing significantly to the country’s campaign. The relay races further demonstrated Uganda’s strength, while individual medal hauls highlighted swimmers who consistently delivered when it mattered.

At the heart of the victory were 15-year-old Marie Zara Mbanga, 12-year-old Ibrahim Lule and 14-year-old Gabriella Opolot Asima, whose performances captured the depth of Uganda’s talent.

But the home team did not have everything its own way. Kenya and Tanzania supplied formidable opposition, with their leading swimmers collecting multiple medals and winning several fiercely contested races. Their performances ensured that Uganda’s championship-winning campaign was built on genuine competition rather than a comfortable procession.

If Uganda’s campaign needed a defining individual performance, Mbanga Zara Marie supplied it in the girls’ 15–16 category.

The 15-year-old finished the championships as the leading female swimmer in her age group, collecting seven gold medals without a silver or bronze. 

Mbanga’s versatility was a major feature of her campaign. In the 400-metre individual medley, she won in 5:27.09, ahead of compatriot Paloma Kirabo, who clocked 5:48.49. The result demonstrated her ability to excel in an event that demands proficiency across all four competitive strokes.

She also won the 50m breaststroke in 36.24 seconds and the 100m breaststroke in 1:18.07. In the 200m breaststroke, she completed another victory in 2:50.32, finishing ahead of Kenya’s Kamwelle Maina and fellow Ugandan Theresa Kikambi.

Her seven-gold haul placed her among the standout performers of the entire championships and made her a central figure in Uganda’s successful title defence at home.

Uganda’s strength in the girls’ 13–14 category was equally impressive, with Gabriella Opolot Asima and Gabriella Eleanor Ndyanabo emerging as two of the country’s leading performers.

Both swimmers finished the championships with four gold medals and two silver medals. Opolot demonstrated her range in the 50m breaststroke, winning in 35.51 seconds, while Ndyanabo finished second in 36.18 seconds to complete a Ugandan one-two.

The pair also featured prominently in the backstroke and butterfly events. Opolot won the 50m backstroke in 32.01 seconds, while Ndyanabo claimed the 400m freestyle in 4:49.19, finishing ahead of Tanzania’s Nicolene Viljoen, who clocked 4:55.82.

Their combined performances gave Uganda an important advantage in the girls’ competitions, with the two swimmers consistently collecting medals and contributing to the team’s overall strength.

The girls’ 12-and-under category produced one of the most interesting individual contests of the championships, with Uganda’s Mushira Nabatanzi going head-to-head with Kenya’s Katja Kimani.

Kimani topped the female 12-and-under with five gold and two silver medals, while Nabatanzi finished second with four gold and three silver medals. Nabatanzi made her mark across several events, winning the 50m breaststroke in 36.73 seconds, the 50m butterfly in 31.36 seconds and the 50m backstroke in 34.85 seconds. She also won the 100m breaststroke in 1:22.59, confirming her strength in the discipline.

Kimani, however, provided a formidable challenge. The Kenyan won the 100m butterfly in 1:11.92 and finished ahead of Nabatanzi in the 400m individual medley, where she clocked 5:45.53. Their contest captured the competitive spirit of the championships.

On the boys’ side, Ibrahim Lule was one of the most outstanding performers of the entire competition. The 12-year-old topped the boys’ 12-and-under with six gold and two silver medals, making him the leading male swimmer in that age category. Teammate Malachi Ssali finished second with three gold, two silver and one bronze medal. 

Lule’s performances showed impressive versatility. He won the 50m butterfly in 29.80 seconds, the 100m freestyle in 1:04.62 and the 100m breaststroke in 1:15.34. He also claimed the 50m breaststroke in 34.60 seconds, with Ssali completing a Ugandan one-two in 35.52 seconds. The pair continued their dominance in the shorter freestyle event. Ssali won the 50m freestyle in 29.08 seconds, narrowly ahead of Lule, who finished in 29.10 seconds. Ssali’s contribution was particularly valuable because his medal tally and victories across different strokes complemented Lule’s outstanding campaign. Together, they provided Uganda with a formidable foundation in the youngest boys’ category.

Although Uganda won the championships, Kenya had several individual performers who refused to be overshadowed. Thirteen-year-old Don Ndirangu was among the most impressive. He topped the boys’ 13–14 with five gold medals and two bronze medals, establishing himself as a major force in his age group. 

His speed was particularly evident in the 50m butterfly, where he clocked 25.95 seconds to win ahead of Rwanda’s Jayden Ntwali, who finished in 28.06 seconds. Ndirangu also won the 50m breaststroke in 32.35 seconds, while his 50m backstroke victory in 29.15 seconds further demonstrated his sprinting ability.

Kenya’s strength extended beyond Ndirangu. Harith Muses won the boys’ 14-and-under 400m individual medley in 5:08.42, while Max Missokia of Tanzania finished second in the 200m backstroke and won the 800m freestyle in 9:28.16.

Tanzania’s Nicolene Viljoen was another major figure in the competition, finishing as the leading female swimmer in the 13–14 category. The 14-year-old collected five gold and five silver medals, giving her one of the largest overall medal hauls among the female swimmers.

Viljoen’s campaign included a victory in the 400m individual medley, where she clocked 5:15.52, and a win in the 200m backstroke in 2:32.26. She also showed her strength in the longer freestyle races, finishing second in the 800m freestyle in 10:12.76 and the 400m freestyle in 4:55.82.

Her performances made her one of the most consistent swimmers of the championships. Even when she did not finish first, she remained among the leading contenders, collecting silver medals and contributing significantly to Tanzania’s challenge.

Tanzania also had strong male representation through Max Missokia and Mark Tibazarwa. Missokia won the boys’ 14-and-under 800m freestyle, while Tibazarwa claimed the boys’ 15-and-over 800m freestyle in 9:14.94. Their performances underlined Tanzania’s strength in middle- and long-distance swimming, complementing Viljoen’s success in the girls’ events.

Uganda’s older female swimmers provided another important pillar of the championship victory. In the 15–16 category, Tyrah Muganzi finished the competition with five gold and two silver medals, while Paloma Kirabo collected two gold, four silver and one bronze. Their performances complemented Mbanga’s seven-gold haul and gave Uganda three leading swimmers in the same age group. 

Muganzi won the 200m backstroke in 2:42.54 and contributed to Uganda’s strong performances in the butterfly and freestyle events. Kirabo, meanwhile, won the 200m backstroke in the 15–16 category in 2:32.86 and finished second to Mbanga in the 400m individual medley.

In the girls’ 17-and-over category, Tanzania’s Filbertha Demello led with four gold, one silver and five bronze medals. Uganda’s Gloria Muzito finished second with four gold medals, while Tara Kisawuzi collected two gold and five silver medals. 

Muzito’s four-gold performance was a valuable contribution to the hosts’ campaign, while Kisawuzi’s collection of silver medals demonstrated her consistency against older swimmers from across the region.

Uganda’s success in the boys’ 15–16 category was led by Hakim Abdou and Jonathan Kaweesa. Abdou topped with three gold medals and one bronze, while Kaweesa finished second with two gold, five silver and two bronze medals. Kenya’s Baraka Nyakundi was also among the leading performers, winning four gold medals. 

Abdou won the 200m backstroke in 2:14.89 and the 50m backstroke in 28.02 seconds. Kaweesa, meanwhile, claimed the 100m butterfly in 1:01.33 and finished second in the 50m backstroke in 28.81 seconds.

Uganda also enjoyed strong performances in the older boys’ category, with Matthew Mwase collecting three gold, one silver and one bronze medal. Ryland Andrew Mathew added three gold medals, while Tanzania’s Mark Tibazarwa finished among the leading performers with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals. 

The depth of Uganda’s senior boys was evident in the relays, too. The Ugandan team won the 200m medley relay for boys aged 15 and over in 1:48.31, ahead of Kenya in 1:50.56 and Tanzania in 1:54.30. That result reinforced the importance of teamwork alongside individual brilliance.

While individual medal tallies attracted attention, the relay races provided some of the clearest evidence of Uganda’s collective strength.

Uganda won the girls’ 14-and-under 200m medley relay in 2:10.38, finishing ahead of Kenya and Tanzania. The team comprised Gabriella Opolot, Gabriella Eleanor Ndyanabo, Mackayla Ssali and Mushira Nabatanzi. 

The boys’ 14-and-under relay team also finished first in 1:57.23, ahead of Tanzania and Kenya. Adam Katumba, Elijah Ayesiga, Shane Mugenyi and William Sanford combined to secure another victory for the hosts. 

Uganda continued its relay dominance in the older categories, winning the girls’ 15-and-over medley relay in 2:05.15 and the boys’ 15-and-over event in 1:48.31.

Uganda’s success in these events helped turn individual excellence into a collective championship victory.

Uganda’s title was the headline, but the championships also showcased the growing competitiveness of swimming across the region.

Kenya’s Katja Kimani and Don Ndirangu led their respective age groups, while Tanzania’s Nicolene Viljoen and Filbertha Demello delivered outstanding individual campaigns.

Rwanda also produced competitive performances. Christian Byiringiro won the boys’ 15-and-over 400m individual medley in 5:10.29, while Jayden Ntwali and Murenzi Sheja Kean featured prominently in the younger boys’ events.

Somalia’s Aya Ofleh Adams also made her presence felt, finishing second in the girls’ 12-and-under 50m backstroke in 35.17 seconds, just behind Nabatanzi.

The 11th Africa Aquatics Zone III Swimming Championships ended with Uganda as the champion, but the wider victory for the region was a championship filled with emerging talent, individual excellence and competitive races that gave East African swimming plenty to celebrate.

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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.

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