Uganda Masters' swimmers top Africa Aquatics Region 3 championship
Master's swimming is a special class of competitive swimming for swimmers 25 years and older. It is a vibrant and inclusive community for adults who love to swim—whether for fitness, competition, or social connection.
75-year-old Sarah Nalumansi in action during the Africa Aquatics swimming championship at KISU, October 21, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Uganda masters’ swimmers gave a good account of themselves by topping the Africa Aquatics Region 3 Swimming Championship title after collecting 2,608 points.
Master's swimming is a special class of competitive swimming for swimmers 25 years and older. It is a vibrant and inclusive community for adults who love to swim—whether for fitness, competition, or social connection.
Buoyed by the numbers and home advantage, the Ugandans dominated most of the races, starting with the 50 m breaststroke races, where Resty Kiwuka (45.00), Natasha Nagadya (49.38), and Michelle Ayesiga (1:04.33) opened Uganda’s medal collection in the 25-29 years category.
Mary Akello (48.23) and Catherine Nakimuli (47.61) added gold and silver in the 30-34 years category before Abisagi Mugenyi (52.39) and Elizabeth Kizito (1:13.85), and in the 40-44, Diane Sydney Bakuraira, Emejeit Mbabazi, and Rachael Jane Ayikoru, in the 45-49 years category, bagged gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.
Dunstan Rukare (foreground) and Donald Rukare dive in for the 50m breaststroke during the Africa Aquatics Region 3 Swimming cHampionship at KISU, October 21, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Kenyan Julie Bageine and Ugandan Laura Walusimbi were the best in the 55-59 years category, while 75-year-old Sarah Nalumansi stood out in the 70&over.
In the men’s 25-29 category, it was Burundi’s Edgar Runyangu (33.54) who claimed the gold ahead of Uganda’s Joel Mayengo (34.62) and Kenyan Jerry Collins (35.24), who claimed the silver and bronze, respectively.
Some of swimming masters gold medalists pose with their medals at KISU. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The other gold and silver medalists for Uganda in the different categories in the 50m breaststroke included Benjamin Musaazi, Achilles Jooga, Nicholas Bukenya, Henry Kakooza, Robert Mubangizi, Patrick Magezi, Habib Yawe, Adrian Rutaroh, Amos Bakka Donald Rukare, Simon Peter Mugisha, Charles Obwana, and Peter Ssebanakitta.
The Ugandans extended their dominance in the Open Water 1.5 km competition at the Entebbe Sailing Club, where a number of them, like Rukare, Paul Kaganzi, and Linda Namayanja, among others, added more medals.
Combined Team Scores
Uganda Masters 2,608
Kenya Masters 444
Tanzania Masters 154
Burundi Masters 128
Rwanda Masters 23