Swimmers gears up for National Championships as Glasgow 2026 looms

As Uganda’s aquatic stars fine-tune their preparations for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, they will first have to make a splash on home soil. 

The 11th Uganda Aquatics National Championships are set to kick off at the Kampala International School of Uganda (KISU) pool from July 2 to 5, offering a crucial testing ground for the national team.

The Scottish-bound contingent features a blend of seasoned and rising talent, including para-swimmers Husnah Kukundakwe and Condoleezza Nakazibwe, alongside Gloria Muzito, Kirabo Namutebi, and Tara Kisawuzi. 

The boys’ squad, comprising Tendo Mukalazi, Jordan Ssamula, Jesse Ssengonzi, and Tendo Kaumi will be guided by coaches Muzafar Muwanguzi and Olivia Nalwadda. With Ssengonzi and Muzito training abroad, the rest of the national representatives are expected to join a massive field of approximately 600 athletes from 25 clubs, all vying for top honours and a chance to secure qualification for future international meets.

This year’s four-day competition has received a significant financial boost following the announcement of a sh100m sponsorship from Kansai Plascon, aimed at enhancing hosting capabilities for both the national championships and the upcoming Africa Zone 3 Swimming Championships, scheduled for the same venue in October.

The partnership was unveiled during a press conference at the Uganda Aquatics offices in Kamwokya on Wednesday, where Kansai Plascon managing director Santosh Gumte, accompanied by head of marketing Daniel Kayongo, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to youth development through sport.

"We view sports as a vital platform for positive change. Many sports organisations in Uganda, including Uganda Aquatics, play a significant role in promoting sports. As a result, we have seen talented athletes achieve strong performances at the international level," Gumte stated, adding that the initiative aims to bridge financial gaps for underprivileged talent.

Kayongo noted that the collaboration with Uganda Aquatics, which began last year, is set to deepen due to the federation’s strong organizational structure.

Uganda Aquatics president Moses Mwase, alongside general secretary Max Kanyerezi, expressed gratitude for the support, which includes sh50m in cash and the remainder in kind. "Plascon has undertaken to work with us and support us in the hosting of the Zone 3 championship, which we have won for the last four editions.

And we hope to continue defending it here on home turf," Mwase remarked. Kanyerezi echoed this sentiment, praising Plascon as a corporate entity that truly understands the value of investing in athletes and unlocking their potential.

Beyond the prize money and international qualification stakes, this year’s championships promise to be a showcase of technological advancement and competitive intensity.

Organizers have confirmed that, for the first time, the event will feature state-of-the-art swimming touchpads—highly sensitive sensor panels placed on pool walls at the end of each lane. These devices automatically stop the timer with millisecond precision upon a swimmer’s touch, effectively eliminating human error and ensuring fair, accurate results.

With impressive times already recorded during the league meets, the stage is set for a fiercely contested championship. Additionally, officials plan to grade athletes based on their cumulative league performances, adding another layer of strategic depth to the competition as Uganda’s swimmers look to make their mark both at home and on the international stage.