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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There is something quite different about swimming in a pool and taking on a stretch of open water. In the pool, you have lane ropes, familiar walls and a black line guiding you along the bottom. In open water, you have a much bigger playground, no lane ropes to keep you in place and a whole new set of challenges to figure out.

That was the experience awaiting Uganda’s swimmers on Saturday, 10 October 2026, when the country held its first National Open Water Championships at the Entebbe Sailing Club at Lake Victoria.

For a swimming community more accustomed to the familiar surroundings of swimming pools, the championship was an opportunity to take the sport beyond the lanes and into one of Uganda’s greatest natural resources. It was also a chance to discover what happens when swimmers must combine their usual speed and technique with navigation, endurance and the ability to adapt to changing conditions.

Organised under Uganda Aquatics, the inaugural championship brought together age-group swimmers and masters, with races ranging from 1.5 kilometres to 5 kilometres. From the results, you see the different levels of experience and endurance required, while giving swimmers from various clubs and institutions an opportunity to test themselves in a new competitive environment.

For Uganda, the first national championship was an important step towards developing the open water discipline alongside the more familiar pool events.

Uganda Aquatics events director Eric Kisero described the inaugural event as a good experience for the athletes, noting that the federation had drawn on its understanding of international open water events to organise the competition.

He explained that the priorities were straightforward: athlete safety, health and results. According to Kisero, the organisers were able to meet these priorities, with support from Uganda Police, the Marine Police and lifeguards helping to provide safety cover on the water.

The organisers also worked with national laboratories on health-related checks, while officials received short training sessions to prepare them for their responsibilities.

For a first edition, getting these fundamentals right was essential. Open water swimming may look like an opportunity to enjoy a long swim in the lake, but a national competition requires careful planning, trained personnel and reliable safety arrangements.

The age-group races provided some of the most exciting moments of the championship, with boys and girls aged 15 and under taking on the 3km distance.

Daniela Munguci emerged as the girls’ winner, clocking 38 minutes and 6.50 seconds. Jaguar’s Shivon Naginda followed in second place in 38:19.51, while Altona’s Paula Nabukeera completed the podium in 39:09.85; Abigail Mwagale, also of Altona, finished fourth in 39:25.23. Gators’ Hailey Nambuya, Paulette Wakabi of Altona and Alicia Charlyn Rutaroh of Gators completed the listed finishers.

In the boys’ 3km race, Gators’ Aiden Immelman Akubu took the honours in 36:45.98. Altona’s William Sanford finished second in 37:47.60, with Gators’ Jayson Ampaire Aronda third in 38:32.02.

Enoch Mwenda, also representing the Gators, was fourth in 38:32.91, just behind his teammate, while Altona’s Francis Kisawuzi and Raymon Ssali completed the results.

For these young swimmers, the experience offered something beyond a medal. It introduced them to a discipline in which pacing, navigation and staying composed over distance can matter just as much as raw speed.

The challenge stepped up for the swimmers aged 16 and over, who competed over 5km.

In the girls’ event, Altona’s Sonia Mwere claimed first place in 1 hour, 49 minutes and 55.76 seconds. Her teammate Blessing Kaitesi finished second in 1:58:09.32, while America’s Busingye of Makerere took third place in 2:12:34.64.

The boys’ 5km race produced a particularly close contest at the front. Sailfish’s Arthur Mwase won in 1:07:42.76, finishing ahead of Gators’ Benjamin Lutaaya, who clocked 1:08:11.08. Michael Mukiibi of Aquatic Academy was third in 1:09:42.01.

Lutaaya finished just under 29 seconds behind Mwase, making it a competitive battle over the longer distance.

Makerere University swimmers Jason Lukyamuzi and Brian Magoba finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in 1:10:08.77 and 1:10:31.87. Their teammates, Jovans Kalule and Jovin Benedict Wandera of Gators, completed the listed finishers.

A 5km open water race calls for careful energy management. Going too hard too early can leave a swimmer struggling later, while settling into a sustainable rhythm can make the difference over the final stretch. Competitors must also keep track of the course while maintaining enough awareness to respond to other swimmers and the conditions around them.

The results at Entebbe offered a first national benchmark for Uganda’s swimmers in this discipline, giving clubs and athletes something concrete to build on as open water competition develops.

If the age-group events were about young swimmers discovering a new challenge, the masters competition offered a reminder that the love of swimming does not end with youth.

The masters races were held over 1.5km, with competitors divided into age categories. Swimmers represented Uganda Police, Formidables Swim Club, Kampala Quality Marlins, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Gators, Malta, Aquatic Academy, Sailfish and Special Olympics.

In the women’s under-24 special group, Uganda Police dominated the leading positions. Lydia Nansubuga won in 47:44.49, followed by Doris Yikiru in 47:50.44 and Linda Etapin 48:24.11. Scovia Akanyo finished fourth.

The men’s under-24 special group was equally notable for Uganda Police, with Denis Ojok taking first place in 38:24.74. Clinton Tukwasiibwe finished second in 38:41.05, while Peter Opio was third in 40:38.30. Dalton Opio, Kepha Mpirirwe, Martin Tumukunde, Pirwoth Derrick, Cosmos Munguleni, Pius Ogenrwot and George Ogwang also featured in the results.

Gabriel Baruga Nyangabyaki of Gators won the men’s 25–29 category in 26:53.39, ahead of Kampala Quality’s Joseph Muhereza. In the 30–34 category, Aquatic Academy’s Amos Bakka finished first in 34:09.43, with Formidables’ Mubarak Ssemanda and Sharp Cohen taking second and third.

Brian Kamugisha led the men’s 35–39 category for the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority in 36:58.35. Umar Matovu of Kampala Quality won the 40–49 category in 40:49.67, while Wesly Songok of Formidables topped the 50–59 group in 42:24.57.

The oldest listed men’s category, 60 and over, was won by Formidables’ Peter Ssebanakitta in 44:44.17.

On the women’s side, Natasha Nagadya of Malta won the 25–34 category in 35:21.66, Linda Namayanja of Formidables topped the 35–44 category in 48:45.43, and Jeroline Akubu of Gators won the 45-and-over category in 46:34.30.

These performances added an important dimension to the inaugural event. Open water swimming is not only about identifying the fastest young athlete or producing the next elite competitor. It can also provide a space for adults to remain active, challenge themselves and compete within their age groups.

For event director Kisero, the inaugural championship delivered what the organisers had hoped for, with no major unexpected incidents reported in his assessment of the event.

He also highlighted the response from spectators and people around the venue, saying the public appeared to enjoy the competition.

That response matters. Open water swimming can be an attractive sport to watch because spectators get to see athletes competing in a natural setting, with the course and the surrounding environment becoming part of the experience. It also offers an opportunity to introduce more people to swimming beyond the pool.

But the first edition was not without its lessons. Kisero pointed to an early disruption during the first race, when swimmers entered the water and were affected by a course-related issue. The organisers worked to address the problem and make adjustments so that the athletes could stay on course.

Such experiences can be useful for a new national competition. The first edition establishes a foundation, while the lessons learned can help organisers refine course layout, athlete guidance and race management for future events.

The broader challenge, however, is financial. According to Kisero, open water swimming is considerably more expensive to organise than some other aquatic disciplines. Boats are required to support the event, and even when boats are provided at no cost, fuel must still be paid for. Lifeguards and officers on the boats also need to be available throughout the competition.

The involvement of Uganda Police and the Marine Police was therefore important, but sustaining the discipline will require more than goodwill and the successful staging of a single championship.

Sponsorship, partnerships and public support will be central to keeping the programme active.

Kisero appealed to potential sponsors and partners to support the federation’s efforts, noting that a strong open water programme could help raise Uganda’s profile in aquatics internationally.

His point is a practical one: a successful inaugural event is a promising start, but a sustainable national programme requires the resources to train athletes, prepare officials, provide safety cover and organise competitions regularly.

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