School of Tomorrow wins Uganda Aquatics Independence Swimming Gala
Backed by a stellar lineup of national swimmers, the champions dominated both the women’s and men’s categories, scoring 517 and 721 points to leave the Aga Khan Swim Team trailing with 239 points.
The School of Tomorrow Uganda's swimmers pose with the overall winners trophy after the 21st Uganda Aquatics Independence Swimming Gala at Greenhill Swimming Pool, October 11, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The School of Tomorrow Uganda surged ahead with an impressive 1,494 points, clinching victory at the 21st Uganda Aquatics Independence Swimming Gala at Greenhill Swimming Pool on Saturday.
Backed by a stellar lineup of national swimmers, the champions dominated both the women’s and men’s categories, scoring 517 and 721 points to leave the Aga Khan Swim Team trailing with 239 points.
The North Green School clinched third place with 1,145 points, edging out hosts Greenhill Academy, who tallied 1,135, and the British School Kampala Rafters, which finished fifth with 1,052 points.
The champions were led by Pendo Kaumi and Ian Aziku who took gold and silver respectively in the 50m butterfly after they posted 27.19 and 27.39 respectively ahead of Makerere University’s Nimusiima Namanya Ampaire who finished with a personal best of 27.70 in the same race.
The captains of the top three schools: Paloma Kirabo (2nd left) of Aga Khan, School of Tomorrow Alexis Akol and Kyle Kaweesa and the North Green School's Carlton Musenze pose with their trophies after the 21st Uganda Aquatics Independence Swimming Gala at Greenhill Swimming Pool, October 11, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Kaumi continued his top swims with another gold in the 50m backstroke (29.91) where Vienna College’s Shaun Kairumba Murungi and Bethel International School’s Kyle Kiwagama picked silver and bronze in 30.42 and 30.61 respectively. Kaumi and Aziku were also the top swimmers in the men’s 15&over 50m freestyle, finishing in 11.56 and 11.67 seconds ahead of Aga Khan’s Ethani Ssengooba who posted 12.01.
The other stars for the champions were Zara Mbanga and Mackayla Ssali who picked gold and silver from the girls’ 50m breaststroke competition with a time 36.88 and 38.63 where Aga Khan’s Theresa Kikambi came third in 38.83, in the 13-14 years’ category. Mbanga also won silver in the 50m butterfly and the 50m back stroke in between Aga Khan’s Tyran Muganzi’s golds Mackayla Ssali and Crystal Ssemanda’s bronze performances in both events respectively.
Peyton Suubi, 15, swimming in a new age category also picked gold for the champions from the 50m fly event (31.07), ahead of Aga Khan’s Paloma Kirabo (32.84) and Vienna College’s Karimah Katemba (34.34). The champions also dominated most of the relay events, winning the championship for the first time.
“Most of us are on the national team and we train hard so when we come together as a school, we do our best, we never give up and stay strong. We didn’t have time to train together but we just came and dominated,” Kyle Kaweesa, the boys’ team captain said.
“We came here as a small team, fewer than last year, we were less by ten but we still managed to win; thanks to all our swimmers for the hard work. It was all about hard work, determination and brains. We came here with a good mindset and that what helped us,” Alexis Akol, the girls’ team captain added.
Runners up Aga Khan’s top swimmers included Paula Aryemo, Tyrah Muganzi, and Crystal Ssemanda who won gold medals from their respective categories.
Combined Team Scores: Top ten
School of Tomorrow Uganda 1,494pts
Aga Khan Swim Team 1,255
The North Green School 1,145
Green Hill Academy 1,135
Bsk Rafters 1,052
Hill Preparatory School 984. 50
Shree Sahajanand School 586
Vienna College Namugongo 557
Hillside Primary School Naalya 536. 50
The Olive School 375