Uganda has unveiled a 197-athlete contingent for the XI Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships, with the hosts targeting another successful campaign when the regional competition gets underway in Kampala from October 21 to 25.
The delegation, comprising 76 female athletes and 121 male athletes, will compete in swimming, masters swimming, water polo and open water swimming as Uganda seeks to capitalise on home advantage against seven other nations.
The championships will attract teams from Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Tanzania, with visiting delegations expected to begin arriving at Entebbe International Airport on Monday, October 19.
Uganda Aquatics unveiled Team Uganda during a flag-off ceremony and press briefing at Kampala International School of Uganda (KISU) on Saturday, October 17.
The school will host the swimming and water polo events, while open water swimming will be staged at Entebbe Sailing Club. Speke Resort Munyonyo will accommodate the participating teams.
The five squads comprise 59 swimmers in the swimming A team, 22 in the B team, 54 masters swimmers, 40 open water swimmers and 22 water polo players. Some athletes will compete in more than one discipline.
Tamale backs Uganda to retain swimming crown
Swimming head coach Thomas Tamale expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, insisting that Uganda is ready to defend its Zone III title despite the additional expectations that come with competing before a home crowd.
“We are ready,” Tamale said.
“The team has had sessions to work together, but they have also trained at their clubs.
We are ready to defend the title. Of course, swimming at home will come with its own demands, but nothing we are not ready for.”
The championships present Uganda with an opportunity to demonstrate the progress made in aquatic sports while showcasing the country’s capacity to host major regional competitions.
Masters swimming highlights growth
The expansion of Uganda’s masters swimming programme is among the notable developments ahead of the championships, with the squad growing from five athletes at its regional debut in 2022 to 54 this year.
Masters coach Henry Kakooza said the team had developed considerably in numbers and experience since its first appearance at the Zone III Championships in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
“We have grown well over the years,” Kakooza said.
“The first time Uganda masters went for Zone III was in Dar es Salaam in 2022, and we were just five, with only one female athlete.
We are now 54, and very experienced, as some of us are now going for our fifth regional event.”
The growth reflects the increasing participation of adult swimmers in organised competition, with the current squad featuring 27 women and 27 men.
Uganda hosts for the third time
Uganda Aquatics president Moses B. Mwase welcomed the participating countries and reflected on the development of the Zone III Championships since Uganda hosted the inaugural edition in 2015.
“We welcome all participants to Uganda. Enjoy our weather, our food and all the good things Uganda has to offer,” Mwase said.
“Zone III has come a long way from when we hosted the first edition in 2015. Eleven editions down the road, Uganda is ready to host for a third time.”
Mwase also acknowledged the contribution of parents, sponsors and the Local Organising Committee in preparing the national team and delivering the championships.
With four aquatic disciplines on the programme, Uganda will be seeking both competitive success and an opportunity to strengthen its standing as a regional hub for swimming and other aquatic sports.
TEAM UGANDA: FULL SQUAD LISTS
1. Swimming — A Team (59 athletes)
Female (26)
Acuo Gianna Opolot A.
Asima Gabriella Opolot A.
Businge Angella
Gabriella Eleanor Ndyanabo
Gloria Muzito
Kahinju Nissi
Kaitesi Blessing
Kikambi Theresa
Kirabo Namutebi
Kirabo Paloma
Kisawuzi Tara
Mbanga Zara Marie
Muganzi Tyrah
Mulondo Pretty Jemaimah
Munguci Daniela
Nabatanzi Mushira
Nagginda Shivon
Nakimbugwe Brandy
Nakimuli Gabriela Eleanor
Nisha Pearl Najjuma
Nsereko Neema
Nyonyintono Audrey
Sonia Mwere
Ssali Mackayla
Ssemanda Crystal
Valeria Nassozi
Male (33)
Abdou Hakim S.
Aronda Jayson Ampaire
Ayesiga Elijah Kira A.
Benjamin Ssali Kamulegeya
Bwisho Kristian Mugumya
Feni Larry
Immelman Aiden Akubu
Karuhanga Elisha
Katende Thembo
Katumba Adam
Kaweesa Jonathan
Kimuli Ashley
Kimuli John Trevor
Kimuli Kyle Kaweesa
Lule Ibrahim
Lutaaya Berekiah
Luzinda Fredrick Kamyuka
Mandre Jonan Palanda
Mukisa Elijah
Mwase Matthew
Nsereko Nathan
Nsubuga Arthur
Rukundo Daniel
Rumanyika Alex
Ryland Andrew Mathew
Shane Mugenyi
Shaun Kairumba Murungi
Ssali Malachi
Ssekitto Payton
Ssemanda Manuel
Vandenhoeke Robin
Wamala Elijah Blessed
William Sanford
Swimming — B Team (22 athletes)
Female (6)
Abigail Namakwa
Abigail Letasi Adukule
Amaro Sonia
Ihunde Alba
Nakato Hannah
Nantongo Michelle
Male (16)
Ahurire Finley
Ainomugisha Earl
Bashirizi Abraham Shillor
Bukeera Jonathan
Israel Ellis Sewaali
Kabogoza Seth
Khalil Sonko Djbril
Kimbe Jethro
Kiwagama Kean Kyle
Musiinza Sheldon
Mutebi Emmanuel
Mwase Jaden
Mwebaze Shadrach
Raymon Ssali
Tamale Tzion
Telwa Ateni Oboke
Masters Swimming (54 athletes)
Women (27)
Abisagi Mugenyi N.
Ayesiga Michelle Mugisha
Baguma Verstinah Mwiza
Bakuraira Diane Sydney
Belinda Ilamai Eleanor
Byamugisha Frida
Catherine Nakimuli
Catherine Nazziwa
Esther Nadunga
Irene Namuyiga
Isabella J Achokotho
Isabella Omara Sigombe
Jeroline Akubu
Kate Kiiza
Kizito Elizabeth
Laura Walusimbi
Linda Namayanja
Mary Akello
Mbabazi Emejeit
Natasha Nagadya
Patricia Bageine Ejalu
Rachael Amito
Rachael Jane Ayikoru
Resty Kiwuka
Sandra Arinaitwe
Sara Nalumansi
Sophia Owoko
Men (27)
Achilles Jooga
Adrian Rutaroh
Alinda Kyamureku Ronnie
Bakka Amos
Bukenya Nicholas
Charles Obwana
Cohen Sharp
Conrad Kaheeru Bukonyezi
Donald Rukare
Kaganzi Duke Paul
Kakooza Henry
Kateeba Alex
Kiiza Godfrey
Magezi Patrick
Magoola Aksam
Mayanja Abubaker
Mayengo Joel
Mubangizi Robert Marembo
Mugisha Simon Peter
Muhoozi Ivan
Munaaba Ismail
Musaazi Benjamin
Rukare Dunstan
Ssebanakitta Peter
Ssemanda Mubarak
Wamala Benon
Yawe Habib
4. Open Water Swimming (40 athletes)
15 and under — 3km, Girls (4)
Abigail Mwagale
Daniela Munguci
Paula Nabukeera
Shivon Nagginda
15 and under — 3km, Boys (4)
Aiden Immelman Akubu
Enoch Mwenda
Jayson Ampaire Aronda
William Sanford
16 and over — 5km, Girls (2)
Amelia Busingye
Sonia Mwere
16 and over — 5km, Boys (3)
Benjamin Lutaaya
Jason Lukyamuzi
Michael Mukiibi
Masters — 1.5km, Women (9)
Jeroline Akubu
Linda Namayanja
Mary Akello
Natasha Nagadya
Resty Kiwuka
Lydia Nansubuga
Doris Yikiru
Linda Etap
Scovia Akanyo
Masters — 1.5km, Men (18)
Amos Bakka
Brian Kamugisha
Elly Mussimenta
Gabriel Nyangabyaki
Henry Kakooza
Herbert Busuulwa
Hudson Sserukeberwa
Jonathan Sejjuko
Joseph Muhereza
Mubarak Ssemanda
Paul Duke Kaganzi
Robert Mubangizi
Sharp Cohen
Umar Matovu
Denis Ojok
Clinton Tukwasiibwa
Peter Opio
Dalton Opio
5. Water Polo (22 players)
Junior team (11)
Adriel Lumu
Saka Victoria
Myron Rukundo
Shawn Kimbowa
Abigail Mwagale
Clinton Rwego
Sandton Muyiisa
William Sanford
Sydney Sejjindu
Rahul Bharvie
Jonathan Mulumba
Senior team (11)
Ceasar Komaketch
Ian George Sendi
Samie Mullaney
Padiet Gojack
Travour Kimuli
Ogwang Silver
Raymond Mugasa
Ariyo Ahumuza
Ampaire Namanya
Kelly Mwebaze
Edgar Tendo
Technical Team
Swimming: Thomas Tamale (head coach), Allan Kiiza, Joachim Serwadda, Solomon Okiidi, Achillie Jooga, Hamiddah
Masters swimming: Henry Kakooza, Tabitha Nakasinde
Open water swimming: Abel Ddamulira, Joshua Lule
Water polo: Amos Bakka, Embren Kato
Venues and Team Accommodation
Swimming and water polo: Kampala International School of Uganda (KISU)
Open water swimming: Entebbe Sailing Club
Team residence: Speke Resort Munyonyo
