Seroma Christian High School top the secondary schools swimming championship

Seroma Christian High School amassed 1,800 points to win the 11th Uganda Aquatics Inter-Secondary Schools gala, held at the Greenhill Academy swimming pool in Kibuli on Saturday.

Arthur Nsubuga led Seroma in the boys' 12-14 category with 160 points, while Tariq Mahad Kayiira contributed 108 points. Their efforts helped the boys’ team secure 888 points overall. In the 15-16 boys’ category, Payton Ssekitto, Elijah Walusimbi, Raphael Muwanguzi, Elisha Kato, Jeremy Tsapwe, and Nathaniel Ddumba added a combined 226 points.

For the girls, Rahmah Kalungi Nakasule led the 17-and-over category with 139 points, helping the girls’ team top their roster with 912 points.

Swimmers dive in for one of the races during the 11th Uganda Aquatics Inter-Secondary Schools gala, at the Greenhill Academy swimming pool in Kibuli. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Other standout performers included Hanisha Katana, Nahiyyah Busuulwa, Benitah Kwagala, Esther Nyaruwa, Kyle Lugonjo, and Akram Lubega, who scored 80 and 78 points, respectively, in the 17 and over boys’ category. 

Aga Khan High School came second with 1,711 points ahead of the British School Rafters (1,563.50), Greenhill Academy (1,183.50), and the Shree Sahajanand School (1,000.50 pts), who finished third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

“And I'm very happy that we have managed to win the trophy for the second time in a row. It has been quite a cumbersome journey, but we want to thank the Lord because he has filled it by his might,” Seroma boys captain Kyle Muwanguzi said.

I want to thank the coaches and the team itself for the hard work they have put in all this time, for the sacrifices they have made; for the administration that has continued to facilitate all our programs throughout the training sessions; and most importantly, to the people that encourage us to swim or to participate in these games every now and then.”

Swimmers dive in for one of the races during the 11th Uganda Aquatics Inter-Secondary Schools gala, at the Greenhill Academy swimming pool in Kibuli. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The girls' captain Karen Mwangi attributed their victory to teamwork, with every swimmer contributing points to the overall crown. “It feels amazing because all the other schools came in with their best swimmers, and we were scared and actually had a no-show in an event, so we were so scared, but we are still the champions. Everyone on the team managed to get at least points that combined to get us the championship,” she stated.

Some of the races that Nsubuga won include the 100m freestyle, where he clocked 59.62 to beat Aga Khan’s Manuel Ssemanda (59.67) and Shree Sahajanad’s Jordan Musoke (1:00.78) to the gold, and in the 100m backstroke, where he made 1:09.16 ahead of King’s College Budo’s Adam Katumba (1:09.16) and the North Green School’s Jayson Aronda (1:11.83). 

Aga Khan’s best included Paloma Kirabo and Theresa Kikambi, who took gold and silver in the 100m freestyle in 1:06.83 and 1:06.94 ahead of British School Rafters’ Paula Nabukeera, who clocked 1:07.02. Emaad Kodet Tumusiime and Theresa Kikambi were the other standouts for their school, having collected 126 and 125 points from the boys’ and girls' 15-16 categories.

Shree Sahajanad’s Marie Zara Mbanga took the overall honours in the girls' 12-14 category with 153 points, ahead of British School’s Gabriella Opolot (144 50) and Aga Khan’s Tyrah Muganzi (107 pts).

Tara Kisawuzi was the other star for the British School in the 17&over with 177 points, 38 ahead of Rahmah Kalungi (139) and Kyala Arinda (139) of Aga Khan.

Combined Team Scores

Seroma Christian High School 1,800pts

Aga Khan High School 1,711

British School Rafters 1,563. 50

Green Hill Academy 1,183. 50

Shree Sahajanand School 1,000. 50

The North Green School 863

Kings College Buddo 574

Elite High School Entebbe 384. 50

Pursuit Education Services 301

Pine International School 235

Nabumali High School 176. 50

Lubiri SS 170. 50

The Kings Learning 111

Vienna College Namugongo 46

Accelerated Christian Educ 22