KAMPALA, October 22, 2026 — Uganda made an emphatic statement of intent in their quest for a fourth consecutive Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships title, dominating the opening morning session with an impressive haul of 32 medals at Kampala International School Uganda.
The hosts collected 12 gold, 13 silver and seven bronze medals in the age-group events to establish an early lead over regional rivals at the 11th edition of the championships, which have attracted more than 500 swimmers from across the zone.
Tanzania, with four gold medals, two silver and four bronze, occupied second place on the provisional age-group medal table, while Kenya followed with three gold, four silver and eight bronze medals.
Rwanda and Burundi completed the standings with two and one medals respectively.
Uganda’s early dominance was spearheaded by a string of impressive individual performances across the breaststroke, individual medley and backstroke events.
Mbanga Zara Marie, 15, emerged among the standout performers, securing a double gold in the Girls 15 and Over 400m Individual Medley in 5:27.09 and the Girls 15–16 50m Breaststroke in 36.24 seconds.
Nabatanzi Mushira, 12, triumphed in the Girls 12 and Under 50m Breaststroke in 36.73 seconds, while Asima Gabriella Opolot A, 14, won the Girls 13–14 equivalent in 35.51 seconds.
Kisawuzi Tara, 18, completed Uganda’s dominance of the girls’ breaststroke events by winning the Girls 17 and Over 50m Breaststroke in 37.10 seconds.
On the boys’ side, Feni Larry, 20, claimed the Boys 17 and Over 50m Breaststroke in 29.56 seconds, finishing ahead of compatriot Nathan Nsereko.
Courtesy photo
Uganda also collected valuable gold medals in the backstroke events, with Katumba Adam winning the Boys 13–14 200m Backstroke in 2:21.93, Kirabo Paloma taking the Girls 15–16 title in 2:32.86, Abdou Hakim S claiming the Boys 15–16 crown in 2:14.89, and Shaun Kairumba Murungi winning the Boys 17 and Over race in 2:18.65.
However, the regional challenge remained strong, particularly from Tanzania and Kenya.
Tanzania’s Viljoen Nicolene J, 14, secured victories in the Girls 14 and Under 400m Individual Medley in 5:15.52 and the Girls 13–14 200m Backstroke in 2:32.26.
Kenya also picked up gold through Muses Harith in the 400m Individual Medley and Ndirangu Don G in the 50m Breaststroke.
Uganda’s medal count rose further when the Masters categories were included, taking the hosts to 23 gold, 13 silver and seven bronze medals for an overall tally of 43.
Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda also registered gold medals in the combined standings.
Africa Aquatics Zone III president Donald Rukare expressed satisfaction with the organisation and early progress of the championships, which feature senior, junior and Masters competitions.
“We are happy to be here on day one of the African Aquatics. Over 500 swimmers from different countries in the zone are here to compete,” Rukare said.
He noted that the programme extends beyond pool swimming, with water polo and open-water swimming also featuring on the schedule.
“Swimming will go on until Saturday, then we have water polo on Sunday afternoon.
We have open water on Sunday at Entebbe and the Masters. So we have about four categories, and so far everything is going well,” he added.
Uganda team captain Nathan Nsereko, meanwhile, acknowledged the intensity of the competition after finishing second in the 50m Breaststroke but insisted the team remained motivated to deliver another successful campaign.
“Today I had 50 metres breaststroke and I came second place. It was a close finish but a bit disappointing. However, I’m happy with the results,” Nsereko said.
“The competition is really tight, but the objective is to keep everyone motivated and pushing to the best of their ability.
Ideally, the goal is to retain our title because we have won this back-to-back three times already.”
Uganda has assembled a 197-member swimming team comprising 76 female and 121 male athletes as it seeks to extend its regional supremacy.
The hosts won the championship in Kigali in 2023, retained the title in Bujumbura in 2024 and completed a third successive triumph in Nairobi last year.
The 2026 championships, organised by Uganda Aquatics in conjunction with Africa Aquatics Zone III, are running from October 21 to 25, with Kampala International School Uganda hosting the pool swimming and water polo events.
Open-water swimming will take place at Entebbe Sailing Club, while participating teams are accommodated at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
