Mbambu shines at national rowing meet

By James Bakama

TEENAGER Constance Mbambu displayed rare skill and stamina to emerge top performer at the National Rowing Regatta on Saturday.

The Greenbelt Rowing Club athlete won a record four gold medals at Uganda Rowing Association’s (URA) biggest event. Competitors in the day-long event were flagged off at Kawuku and finished at Luzira.

Mbambu, a St Kizito SS senior three student, twice teamed up with her older sister Christine Kabuwo to win the junior and senior doubles. 

“I thank my club, school and coach for all the assistance rendered. I am now targeting medals on the international scene,” said Mbambu.

But it was Mbambu’s team-mate Gerald Ssemambo who put up the day’s best performance in an individual event. 

Ssemambo clocked nine minutes 16.05 seconds to win the single scull in the men’s 2000 meters.

Ssemmambo, a champion since 2010, also won the men’s quad scull silver with team-mates Davis Mbabazi, Arthur Ntozi, Alfred Okello and John Bosco Zziwa.

Greenbelt was edged to the quad gold success by Maroons’ Allan Jengo, William Mwanga, Raymond Adiga, Douglas Kisarale and Self Sekyanzi.

The race that had one of the teams quit after their boat got filled with water.

Results

Men Single scull: G. Ssemambo (Greenbelt) 9:16:05; Women Single scull W1X C- Mbambu (Greenbelt) 11:49:55; Mens Double scull M2X- C. Adiga and D. Kisarale (Maroons) 8:32:24; Women Double Scull W2X- C. Mbambu and C. Kabuho (Greenbelt) 12:24:15;

Men Quad Scull M4X: A. Jengo, W. Mwanga, C. Adiga, D. Kisarale, S. Sekyanzi (Maroons) 9:06:00.

Junior Races: Junior Men Single Sculls JM1X- D.Mukisa (defenders) 15:09:10; Junior Women Single Sculls JW1X- C. Mbambu (Greenbelt) 11:12:20; Junior Men Double Sculls JM2X- S. Muwanguzi and D. Olara (Maroons) 13:56:09, Junior Women double Sculls JW2X C. Mbambu and C. Kabuho (Greenbelt)12:24:15.