Uganda commissions nearly 100 athletes for Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championships

Uganda's national swimming team of nearly 100 athletes has been commissioned to represent the country at the Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championships, which Uganda will host from Wednesday to Sunday this month at Kampala International School Uganda (KISU).

The championships will be held at the school's eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool.

Aquatics Uganda president Moses Mwase commissioned the team, which comprises 67 swimmers competing in different pool categories, 20 open-water swimmers and 14 water polo players. He urged the athletes to defend the title Uganda has won consecutively since 2023.

He added that the championships would provide an opportunity to select the best athletes to represent Uganda at forthcoming international competitions, including the African Games in Egypt, the Youth Games in Mauritania and the World Aquatics Championships in Beijing, China, among other events.

The masters swimmers team that will represent Uganda at the CANA Zone 3 Championships. Photo: Silvano Kibuuka

During the commissioning ceremony, where the athletes received their national team jerseys, Mwase also warned the swimmers against doping. He urged them to cooperate with officials from the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO), who will be monitoring the championships.

Aquatics Uganda vice president Ronnie Kasujja said the team would be accommodated at Speke Resort Munyonyo, while the competition camp would be based at KISU in Bukoto, on the outskirts of Kampala.

Eight countries, including hosts Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Djibouti, Tanzania and Somalia, have reportedly confirmed participation in the championships.

As hosts, Uganda will be allowed to field a maximum of four swimmers in each event, while visiting countries will be permitted to enter a maximum of two athletes per event.