Uganda swimming team vows to defend Zone 3 title in Kenya

Uganda’s swimming team captains Ampaire Namanya Nimusiima and Peyton Suubi believe Uganda is well poised to defend its Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championship in Kenya.

On Sunday at the Speke Resort Munyonyo Swimming pool, a contingent of 74 swimmers comprising 41 youth of different age groups and 33 Masters swimmers were flagged off for the tenth edition of the event to be held at the Kasarani Aquatic Stadium, October 16-19.

“I believe this team is strong, we have taken the best two swimmers per age category like usual; no compromises. This is the best team we have in Uganda that has ever existed and I believe with the same spirit we are going to win this championship again,” Namanya, who is going for his eighth championship said.

Uganda's Masters Swimming Team pose at the Speke Resort before they left for Nairobi to compete in the tenth Africa Aquatics Region 3 Swimming Championship at the Kasarani Aquatics Centre. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“I feel it is going to be a highly contested event Kenya being at home and I also feel Tanzania is going to put up a big fight but I know we are going to win it.

“We have the best swimmers in the 11-12 years category like Christian Bwisho, and the 15-16 were we have Peyton Suubi, Zara Mbanga in the 13-14 and we have good swimmers in all the other categories who are very good, so I’m confident we are going to win the event,”

The girls’ team is captained by Peyton Suubi who will be swimming in a new age category (15-16) but she is also confident of leading her gender to the top spot.

“I’m going to try my level best to lead this team to victory and I feel we are well prepared for the event. We have some new members on the team and our role is to support them so that they can excel,” she stated.

Uganda Masters team coach Henry Kakooza also believes his side which has been boosted with more enthusiastic swimmers will also be able to defend the masters title they won in Burundi last year.

“Our Masters’ team has been growing for the last three years since the advent of COVID-19. In Tanzania we were five, in Rwanda we were 15, while last year we were 19 in Burundi and we are taking a 33-man team this time in Kenya, so we are going for it,” Kakooza said.

“My team is ready because we have prepared in the long pool at the Speke Resort Munyonyo for the last two months and that gave a chance to many who hadn’t a chance to train in such a facility, so we are ready. We are the defending champions but we are warrying of the Kenyans but we are determined to win again,” he stated.

Uganda Aquatics president Moses Mwase thanked the government for their support and the parents for sponsoring the children and the coaches for putting in the hard work.

“Let us be proud Ugandans when we are out there, take instructions from the coaches and give it your best,”

Uganda Aquatics General Secretary Max Kanyerezi advised the swimmers to exhibit patriotism and market the country well with positivity. He also advised them to avoid taking in drinks and eats from outside their camp to guard against doping.

Para swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe who is fresh from competing at the World Championship in Singapore also offered some words of encouragement to the youngsters, advising them to stick to their routines and remain focused.

“Be patient with yourselves, be calm, don’t panic, but whenever you dive in give it your all but also remember to have fun. Have fun for during the whole event and keep safe by hydrating regularly and encourage each other,” Kukundakwe advised.

National Council of Sports Senior Sports Officer Annie Sarah Nankya who was flanked by Uganda Aquatics president Moses Mwase and ex-com members Max Kanyerezi Mary-ann Isabirye (team manager) flagged off the team. She urged the team to hoist the Ugandan flag high by winning as many gold medals as possible.

“This is a moment of pride and excitement for us as the regulators of sports in the country. We appreciate your partnership in developing swimming in the country,” Nankya said.

She also thanked the swimmers for making it to the team and encouraged them to keep their discipline, ensure teamwork and be resilient and work hard to bring medals back home.

Uganda Airlines offered discounted tickets to the contingent to ensure the team flies out so that they could be able to compete effectively.