Uganda Aquatics has named about 200 athletes across five squads as the country prepares to defend its Africa Aquatics Zone III title on home water this week.
Federation president Moses Mwase led the team announcement at a ceremony held at Kampala International School of Uganda (KISU) on Saturday. Swimming runs from Wednesday to Saturday at KISU, which also hosts water polo on Saturday afternoon, before open water closes the Championships at Entebbe Sailing Club on Sunday.
Uganda has won the Zone III title five times, including the last three editions. Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania stand in the way of a fourth in a row.
‘Zone III has come a long way from when we hosted the first edition in 2015,’ Mwase, whose federation is hosting for the third time, said as he challenged the team to keep the regional dominance going.
Basics first
For 17-year-old Nathan Nsereko, the formula has not changed.
‘We have been doing this for many years and we expect to keep it going,’ Nsereko said.
‘The basics are required. We need a lot of discipline across the teams, in both time management and how we conduct ourselves here at the pool. It is nothing new, we are used to competing and we just need need to show that during the week,’ Nsereko added.
Swimming team coach Tom Tamale, who defended the title in Kasarani last year has been tasked to do the same at home and he is pumped up.
‘We are ready to defend the title. Of course, swimming at home will come with its own demands, but there is nothing we are not ready for.’
Last year’s title was won by a tight margin over Kenya, and female captain Crystal Ssemanda, 15, expects no easier ride.
‘This year won’t be any easier. The Kenyans are also very talented, as well as the other countries. So we all have to pull up our socks and do our best,” Ssemanda said.
Her deputy, Paloma Kirabo, 16, believes that if the older girls carry their weight, Uganda should sail through smoothly.
“For the senior girls, I think it is important for us to remain motivated so that we can also win the upper age groups. All of us have trained and we are physically and mentally ready,” Kirabo said.
Bigger goals
The masters squad has grown from five swimmers at its Zone III debut in Dar es Salaam in 2022 to 54, its oldest member in her seventies. They finished second to Kenya last year.
‘Kenya beat us at their home, so now we want to keep that trophy here,’ Patricia Bageine Ejalu, said before adding that masters look beyond honours.
“There is one thing about swimming. You are able to get a full body workout any time, any day, at any age. We want to show our younger team that this never stops,” Ejalu added.
Water polo captain Ampaire Namanya expects a real contest beyond the exhibition of 2021.
‘This edition should be more competitive,’ he said.
“But we are practising at least every week as a team, and individuals practise every day,’ Namanya said. ‘With this practice and the team chemistry, because most of us are from the same team, we can take on these teams again.’
Victoria Ssaka and Abigail Mwagale are the only girls in the 22-player squad. ‘Both of us put in a lot of work, and we were both very happy to see that work helped us get to where we are,’ Ssaka said.
TEAM UGANDA
SWIMMING – A TEAM
Girls: Gianna Opolot, Gabriella Opolot, Angella Businge, Gabriella Ndyanabo, Gloria Muzito, Nissi Kahinju, Blessing Kaitesi, Theresa Kikambi, Kirabo Namutebi, Paloma Kirabo, Tara Kisawuzi, Zara Marie Mbanga, Tyrah Muganzi, Pretty Jemaimah Mulondo, Daniela Munguci, Mushira Nabatanzi, Shivon Nagginda, Brandy Nakimbugwe, Gabriela Eleanor Nakimuli, Nisha Pearl Najjuma, Neema Nsereko, Audrey Nyonyintono, Sonia Mwere, Mackayla Ssali, Crystal Ssemanda, Valeria Nassozi.
Boys: Abdou Hakim Seck, Jayson Aronda, Elijah Ayesiga, Benjamin Ssali, Kristian Bwisho, Larry Graig Feni, Immelman Aiden Akubu, Elisha Karuhanga, Thembo Katende, Adam Katumba, Jonathan Kaweesa, Ashley Kimuli, Trevor Kimuli, Kyle Kimuli Kaweesa, Ibrahim Lule, Berekiah Lutaaya, Fredrick Luzinda, Jonan Palanda Mandre, Elijah Mukisa, Matthew Mwase, Nathan Nsereko, Arthur Nsubuga, Daniel Rukundo, Alex Rumanyika, Andrew Ryland, Shane Mugenyi, Shaun Murungi, Malachi Ssali, Payton Ssekitto, Manuel Ssemanda, Robin Vandenhoeke, Elijah Wamala, William Sanford
SWIMMING – B TEAM
Girls: Abigail Namakwa, Abigail Letasi Adukule, Sonia Amaro, Alba Ihunde, Hannah Nakato, Michelle Nantongo
Boys: Finley Ahurire, Earl Ainomugisha, Abraham Bashirizi, Jonathan Bukeera, Israel Ellis Sewaali, Seth Kabogoza, Khalil Sonko, Jethro Kimbe, Kean Kyle Kiwagama, Sheldon Musiinza, Emmanuel Mutebi, Jaden Mwase, Shadrach Mwebaze, Raymon Ssali, Tzion Tamale, Telwa Ateni Oboke.
MASTERS SWIMMING
Women: Abisagi Mugenyi, Michelle Ayesiga, Verstinah Baguma, Diane Bakuraira, Belinda Ilamai, Frida Byamugisha, Catherine Nakimuli, Catherine Nazziwa, Esther Nadunga, Irene Namuyiga, Isabella Achokotho, Isabella Sigombe, Jeroline Akubu, Kate Kiiza, Elizabeth Kizito, Laura Walusimbi, Linda Namayanja, Mary Akello, Mbabazi Emejeit, Natasha Nagadya, Patricia Ejalu, Rachael Amito, Rachael Ayikoru, Resty Kiwuka, Sandra Arinaitwe, Sara Nalumansi, Sophia Owoko
Men: Achilles Jooga, Adrian Rutaroh, Ronnie Alinda, Amos Bakka, Nicholas Bukenya, Charles Obwana, Cohen Sharp, Conrad Kaheeru, Donald Rukare, Paul Kaganzi, Henry Kakooza, Alex Kateeba, Godfrey Kiiza, Patrick Magezi, Aksam Magoola, Abubaker Mayanja, Joel Mayengo, Robert Mubangizi, Peter Mugisha, Ivan Muhoozi, Ismail Munaaba, Benjamin Musaazi, Dunstan Rukare, Peter Ssebanakitta, Mubarak Ssemanda, Benon Wamala, Habib Yawe
OPEN WATER
15 and under (3km) girls: Abigail Mwagale, Daniela Munguci, Paula Nabukeera, Shivon Nagginda.
15 and under (3km) boys: Aiden Immelman Akubu, Enoch Mwenda, Jayson Ampaire Aronda, William Sanford.
16 and over (5km) girls: Amelia Busingye, Sonia Mwere.
16 and over (5km) boys: Benjamin Lutaaya, Jason Lukyamuzi, Michael Mukiibi.
Masters (1.5km) women: Jeroline Akubu, Linda Namayanja, Mary Akello, Natasha Nagadya, Resty Kiwuka, Lydia Nansubuga, Doris Yikiru, Linda Etap, Scovia Akanyo.
Masters (1.5km) men: Amos Bakka, Brian Kamugisha, Elly Mussimenta, Gabriel Nyangabyaki, Henry Kakooza, Herbert Busuulwa, Hudson Sserukeberwa, Jonathan Sejjuko, Joseph Muhereza, Mubarak Ssemanda, Paul Kaganzi, Robert Mubangizi, Cohen Sharp, Umar Matovu, Denis Ojok, Clinton Tukwasiibwa, Peter Opio, Dalton Opio.
WATER POLO
Juniors: Adriel Lumu, Victoria Ssaka, Myron Rukundo, Shawn Kimbowa, Abigail Mwagale, Clinton Rwego, Sandton Muyiisa, William Sanford, Sydney Sejjindu, Rahul Bharvie, Jonathan Mulumba.
Seniors: Ceasar Komaketch, Ian George Sendi, Samie Mullaney, Padiet Gojack, Trevor Kimuli, Silver Ogwang, Raymond Mugasa, Ariyo Ahumuza, Ampaire Namanya, Kelly Mwebaze, Edgar Tendo.
COACHES
Swimming: Tom Tamale, Allan Kiiza, Joachim Serwadda, Solomon Okiidi, Achilles Jooga, Hamiddah
Masters: Henry Kakooza, Tabitha Nakasinde
Open water: Abel Ddamulira, Joshua Lule.
Water polo: Embren Kato, Amos Bakka