For years, Uganda’s rowing spotlight has been on Kathleen Grace Noble. Now, 16-year-old Marcel Otim is making his own waves.
Otim carried Uganda’s flag at the 2025 World Rowing U19 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania, an event dominated by Ireland.
In the grueling 2000m race, he battled through the heats to reach the Final D, showing grit and promise in a sport still growing back home.
His rowing journey began only in 2024, during his sophomore year. This summer, he trained with the Potomac Boat Club in the U.S. before making his international debut.
His swift rise speaks to both his work ethic and the hunger of Uganda’s young athletes.
Next, Otim is aiming for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, in 2026, a stage where the world’s best 15–18-year-olds compete while sharing cultures and experiences.
