Aqua Akii tops East Africa Development Swimming Championships

Aqua Akii Swim Club delivered an outstanding and historic performance at the East Africa Development Swimming Championship 2026, emerging as the overall champions in a highly competitive regional event that brought together over 600 swimmers across East Africa.

As the championship ended in Tanzania on Saturday, the Aqua Akii boys’ team topped the men’s category, which had 25 teams, with 1,334 points, while the women finished second on 1,041 points out of 22 teams.

Aqua Akii swimmers showcased outstanding talent, discipline, and resilience, dominating with multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals across multiple events and age categories. The club’s performance not only secured top honours but also highlighted Uganda’s growing strength in competitive swimming.

Chloe Mbabazi, 5, set the Ugandans on course, winning the 25m freestyle gold in 28.36, in the 5&Under category ahead of Premier Swim Club’s Melisa Shayo (33.40) and Laureate International School’s Dede Ogheneruke (35.15). Lisa Bawole followed suit in the 100m butterfly, clocking 1:23.71 ahead of the Dream Team’s Masoud Moza (1:38.59) and Braeburn Sharks’ Kirei Aisia (1:39.46).

Aqua Akii then went on to dominate the 50m butterfly boys’ 9-10 years race category, completing a 1, 2, 3, 4 finish with Tzion Tamale (36.06), Kyle Asiimwe (39.81), Jordelle Malinga (40.86), and Mich Matovu (41.92) completing the sweep. It was the same in the girls' 11-12, with Neema Nsereko, Hannah Nakato, and Taala Matovu claiming gold, silver, and bronze in 35.47, 37.05, and 38.41 seconds, respectively.

Elijah Mukisa and Damian Katete also won gold and silver in the boys’ 13 & over in the 50m butterfly event, just like 14-year-olds Angella Businge and Lisa Bawole, who claimed gold and silver in the girls’ 100m freestyle in 1:07.68 and 1:09.60, ahead of Dream Team’s Masoud Moza, who clocked 1:25.69.

Elijah Mukisa, Earl Ainomugisha, and Gideon Jasi also completed a 1-2-3 over the same distance, making the podium in 1:02.86, 1:07.76, and 1:07.80, respectively, just like Tzion Tamale, Kyle Asiimwe, and Jordelle Malinga in the boys’ 9-10 50m freestyle event; and Neema Nsereko, Hannah Nakato, and Taala Matovu in the same event.

Akii’s dominance was also noticeable in the girls’ 13 & over, with Angella Businge, Lisa Bawole, and Callista Asiimwe dominating the 50m freestyle event.

“This victory reflects years of dedication, structured training, and belief in young athletes. Aqua Akii continues to build champions both in and out of the pool, representing Uganda with excellence, pride, and purpose,” Namanda Hadija, Chairperson, Aqua Akii Swim Club, stated.

“Aqua Akii is already delivering excellence rooted in an 8-year vision—to build champions and honour the legacy of Uganda’s Olympic icon, the late John Akii-Bua. Swimming stands as the club’s foundation sport, with other disciplines steadily unfolding under a broader vision of holistic athlete development.”

Combined team scores – Top ten

Aqua Akii 2,509. 50pts

North Coast 1,683. 50

Ecole Francaise 1,389

DIS 1,081

Sharks 1,005. 50

Milestones Swim Club 853. 50

FK Blue Marlins 724. 50

PRSC 692

AL Muntazir 642

Monti AquaForce 570