Imara Aquatics win maiden Uganda Aquatics National Swimming Championship

Imara Aquatics Sports Club earned 3,124 points over four days to secure their first title at the Uganda Aquatics National Swimming Championship. The 11th edition concluded on Sunday at the pool of the Kampala International School of Uganda.

Formed just five months ago, the Naguru-based club, which includes swimmers from the former Silverfin Academy, ended Gators Swim Club’s four-year winning streak by 33 points. Altona Swim Club placed third with 2,966 points, while Dolphins (2,726.50 points) and Sailfish (2,035 points) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

The champions were led by their boys’ team, which earned 1,806 points to top the men’s competition, ahead of the Gators (1,716pts) and the Dolphins, who collected 1,503.5. Imara’s outstanding players included the boys’ captain, Kristian Mugumya Bwisho, who topped the men’s individual standings in the 11-12-year-old category with 224 points, ahead of Otters’ Shane Mugenyi (208) and teammate Luke Sebastian Ssimbwa (146).

Isaiah Kuc was the other star for the champions, having collected 230 points in the boys’ 15-16 years category ahead of Torpedoes’ Jonathan Kaweesa (188) and Aqua Akii’s Elijah Mukisa (157). Arthur Nsubuga added 163 points for the winners in the 13-14, behind Altona’s William Sanford and Torpedoes’ Elijah Ayesiga, who collected 166 and 165 points, respectively.

Imara also had Alba Ihunde collect 183 points in the girls’ 11-12, topped by Aquatic Academy’s Mushirah Nabatanzi (222), while Jaguars’ Adrianna Nabaggala managed 151.

There was uncontrolled excitement from the club chairman, Michael Bwisho, to the team coach, Ezra Kalali and the team captain, Ampaire Namanya, and everyone associated with the club when they were announced as the winners.

“It is really exciting and surprising at the same time, but the kids have worked really hard. I knew they had it in them,” Ampaire said.

“We focus on just trying to improve as individual swimmers and also growing the team culture, which has led to this successful meet. So, I'm really so happy. “I never expected us to win, actually; we knew we were going to be in the top three, but not the first. So, it's very surprising. It's actually very shocking. And I'm excited that we have stopped the Gators’ dominance, and since we are a new club. He said they have some of the best swimmers in each age category, which was key to their success. We've been training so hard, but we also try to balance the team across the age groups. That's something we did better than last year,” Ampaire stated. Coach Kalali said this was unexpected, but they sat down with management, tried to organise, and tried to build the club's structures. 

“We emphasised teamwork and getting better feeds. The lessons I think we got from here are that if you work hard and if you stay together, anything is achievable.”

The other individual standouts included Dolphins’ Pendo Kaumi and his brother Tendo Kaumi as well as Gators’ Peterson Inhensiko who stood out in the 17&over category.

IOC member William Blick (right) and Husnah Kukundakwe (left) present prizes to the best girl in the 13-14 Women category after the Uganda Aquatics nationals at KISU, July 5, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Aquatic Academy’s Rahmah Kalungi Nakasule, Gators Swagiah Mubiru, and Altona’s Tara Kisawuzi also stood out in the same category with 174, 166, and 163 points, respectively. The best in the 15-16 girls’ division were Sailfish’s Karen Mwangi (162), Altona’s Dillip Crissa (144), Dolphins’ Crystal Ssemanda, and Gators’ Kirabo Paloma, all of whom amassed 141 points. In the 13-14, Jaguars’ Marie Zara Mbanga, Gliders' Tyrah Muganzi, and Ozpreys' Gabriella Opolot were the stars, having collected 195, 175 and 153 points, respectively, as Blue Whales’ Aya Adams (151), Otters’ Gabrielle Amaya (136) and Vision for Africa’s Blessing Namugga (126) stood out in the 10 & under women.

The top three boys in the same category were Aqua Akii’s Tzion Tamale, Dolphins’ Isaac Gabriel Isabirye, and Ozpreys’ Geremiah Opolot. The overall individual winners in each category and the head coaches of the top 10 teams received a gift pack from Husnah Kukundakwe, the anti-doping agency's brand ambassador.

Combined Team Scores: Top ten

Imara Aquatics Sports Club 3,124pts

Gators Swim Club Kampala 3,091. 50

Altona Swim Club 2,966

Dolphins Swim Club Kampala 2,726. 50

Sailfish Swim Club Kampala 2,035

Aqua Akii Swim Club 1,786

Aquatic Academy Kampala 1,670. 50

Jaguar Swim Club 1,554

Black Panther Swim Club 1,327. 50

Otters Swim Club Uganda 890.50