The Islamic Solidarity Games are of significance to Ugandan swimming.
It is where Uganda won its first and only international swimming medal – through Kirabo Namutebi’s women’s 50m freestyle silver at the 2022 edition in Konya, Turkey.
Namutebi is not part of the squad at the 2025 edition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia but her brother Tendo Mukalazi travelled to the Games alongside Gloria Muzito, Jesse Ssengonzi, and Tara Naluwoza Kisawuzi. They will be looking to make the semifinals and finals of the events they entered.
The swimmers are using the chance to try out events they do not usually do. Mukalazi who usually does 50m and 100m freestyle will add the 50m backstroke and breaststroke.
Ssengonzi and Kisawuzi who usually do 50m and 100m butterfly will add the 50m and 100m freestyle too while Muzito will had 200m freestyle to her 50m and 100m.
“We are trying a few different things to keep happy but also focused,” coach Tonnie Kasujja said from the Games Village in Riyadh.
“The athletes have been encouraged to try out something different to challenge the status quo. However, we are also excited that they took on the challenge and we expect that the performances will be really good,” he added.
Islamic Solidarity Games
Swimming Heats Schedule
Saturday
50m free: Muzito, Kisawuzi, Tendo, Ssengonzi
50m fly: Kisawuzi, Ssengonzi
Monday
100m free: Muzito, Kisawuzi, Tendo, Ssengonzi
Tuesday
50m back, breast: Tendo
100m fly: Kisawuzi, Ssengonzi
200m free: Muzito