The 2025 Uganda Aquatics National Swimming Championship wrapped up in thrilling fashion on Sunday at Kampala Parents School, with a showdown stealing the spotlight.
For the first time, Uganda’s sprint queens, Aqua Akii’s Kirabo Namutebi, 20, and Sailfish’s Avice Meya, 30, finally faced off in the women’s 50m freestyle after years of dominating the sport on parallel paths.
In a nail-biting finish, Namutebi surged late to win in 26.17 seconds, ahead of Meya’s 27.76.
Karimah Katemba (Aquatic Academy), Karla Mugisha (Silverfin), and Swagiah Mubiru (Gators) followed, with Mubiru tying Sailfish’s Charlotte Sanford for fifth at 29.54.
That race was the highlight of a high-energy final day, after the earlier disappointment of canceled medleys and long-distance events due to time constraints.
- Tendo Vs Tendo: Men’s sprint delivers drama
The men’s 50m freestyle brought more fireworks. Dolphins’ Tendo Kaumi, 19, and Aqua Akii’s Tendo Mukalazi, 23 both training in Hungary went head-to-head in a fierce duel.
Kaumi edged it by a razor-thin 0.039 seconds, finishing in 23.13. Mathew Mwase (24.55) earned bronze with his first sub-25 swim.
Earlier, Kaumi’s brother Pendo won the 100m butterfly in 1:01.23, ahead of Aquatic Academy’s Akram Lubega.
- Rising stars make waves
The juniors weren’t left behind;
• Sailfish’s Audrey Nyonyintono won the 10 & under 100m fly in 1:24.35.
• Gianna Opolot (Ozpreys) took gold in the 50m free (31.35) and two other events.
• Batuk Raan (Silverfin) ruled the boys’ sprints, clocking 32.49 in the 50m free.
• Austin Wanyama and Ashley Kimuli (Jaguars) matched each other with two golds each.
- Teen titans rise
The 13–14 age group saw Jaguar’s Peyton Suubi and Zara Mbanga dominate. Suubi took the 100m fly (1:07.75), while Mbanga won the 50m free (28.76).
Both girls finished with six golds. In the boys’ events, Torpedoes’ Jonathan Kaweesa edged Gators’ 13-year-old Abdul Hakim Seck in the 50m free (25.77 to 25.80) and also took the 100m fly (1:03.20).
Among 15–16s, Tara Kisawuzi (Gators) still led with five golds despite missing two races due to injury. Inell Raya Ba (Silverfin) sprinted to 27.92 in the 50m free, and Rahmah Nakasule (Aquatic Academy) won the 100m fly (1:09.59).
On the boys’ side, Gators’ Ethani Ssengooba clocked 24.67 to win the 50m free, while Silverfin’s Isaiah Kuc narrowly won the 100m fly in 1:00.15.
- Relays and a baton of legacy
The relays capped off the day in style:
• Gators dominated across categories in both boys’ and girls’ relays.
• The 17 & over girls’ relay went to Gators, with Dolphins and Sailfish close behind.
• Dolphins’ senior boys claimed gold by a comfortable margin.
Adding to the occasion, the Commonwealth Games Baton, symbolizing unity and sport made a stop poolside.
CGA-U Secretary Beatrice Ayikoru led the moment, joined by Uganda’s top swimmers, including Olympians Jamila Lunkuse, Namutebi, Mukalazi, and Paralympian Husnah Kukundakwe in a ceremonial swim.
