The second meet of the Uganda Aquatics Swimming League came to an exciting close on April 19, 2026, at Kampala Parents School, with swimmers delivering outstanding performances across all age groups on the final day of competition.
Day two, which featured longer-distance races and sprint butterfly events, showcased both endurance and explosive speed as clubs battled for dominance in one of the most competitive meets of the season.
Reflecting on the competition, swimmers spoke about how the league has shaped their progress and preparation. Osprey Swim Club’s Kyle Sheldon Kayongo noted that League 2 had been “fair” and rewarding, especially after achieving his goals in the 50m butterfly. He emphasized how the competition pushes swimmers to hit qualifying times and prepare for nationals; a sentiment echoed across the pool deck.
In the girls’ 11 & over 400m freestyle, Jaguar Swim Club’s Zara Marie Mbanga led the charge with a strong finish of 4:51.53, narrowly edging out Gators’ Paloma Kirabo (4:56.70) and Dolphins’ Mackayla Ssali (5:01.81). The boys’ equivalent race saw Sailfish’s Arthur Mwase dominate in 4:20.33, followed by Dolphins’ Pendo Kaumi and Imara’s Isaiah Kuc, highlighting depth in middle-distance talent.
For many athletes, the meet was as much about learning as it was about winning. Siobhan Sabita Najunga described the league as “a very encouraging event” that allows swimmers to assess their strengths and weaknesses while pushing them to train harder. She added that the exposure to competition helps athletes understand where they stand and how they can improve moving forward.
The younger swimmers also lit up the pool in the 10 & under 50m butterfly events. Aya Adams of Blue Whales Aquatic Venture clocked an impressive 34.70 to win the girls’ race, while Aqua Akii’s Tzion Tamale topped the boys’ category in 35.30, underlining the bright future of Uganda’s swimming pipeline. Siobhan Najunga, competing in the same meet, highlighted how the gala helps swimmers achieve new personal bests and gives younger athletes a pathway to qualify for nationals and even international competitions.
In the 11–12 age group, Mushirah Nabatanzi (Aquatic Academy Kampala) delivered a standout swim to win the girls’ 50m butterfly in 32.10, while Otters’ Shane Mugenyi claimed the boys’ title in 29.89. The 13–14 category continued the trend of tight competition, with Tyrah Muganzi (Gliders) and Benjamin Ssali (Black Panthers) emerging victorious in their respective races.
Gabrielle Ndala of CFH Swim Club observed that the back-to-back league meets have helped swimmers evaluate their performance levels and focus on improvement ahead of nationals. She noted the rising competitiveness, especially with stricter qualification standards, which has pushed many athletes to bring their best performances to the pool.
Among the senior swimmers, Paloma Kirabo (Gators) secured gold in the girls’ 15–16 butterfly, while Torpedoes’ Jonathan Kaweesa powered to victory in the boys’ race with an impressive 26.11. In the 17 & over category, Rahmah Kalungi Nakasule (Aquatic Academy) and Tendo Mukalazi (Aqua Akii) stood out as the fastest swimmers in their events.
Condoleezza Tembo shared that the league has been instrumental in driving training intensity, helping swimmers review their times and track improvement, especially after competing in other series. Similarly, Manoso Emanda highlighted the importance of League 2 in earning qualification points and preparing both senior and junior swimmers for upcoming competitions, noting his satisfaction after achieving new personal bests in his events.
The final day results reflected not only individual brilliance but also the growing competitiveness among clubs such as Gators, Dolphins, Imara, Jaguar, and Sailfish, all of whom had swimmers consistently reaching the podium. Another swimmer summed up the general mood, expressing pride in teammates for achieving personal bests and cutting times, despite challenges such as balancing training with academics.
With strong participation and remarkable improvements in times across the board, the second league meet reaffirmed the steady growth of swimming in Uganda. As the league progresses, attention now shifts to the final meet in May, where swimmers will look to build on these performances and continue pushing the boundaries of excellence in the pool.
