For five days starting today, more than 500 swimmers will converge on Kampala Parents School for the 10th edition of the Uganda Aquatics national championships in a spectacle of speed, skill and endurance.
For some, the event represents a good opportunity to make it to the national team for upcoming events such as the World Junior Championships in Romania in September, and the Zone Three Championships in Nairobi later in the year. And like many past national swimming championships, this one has also attracted some big names, and exciting match-ups. Here is what to expect from the different age categories.
BOYS 10 YEARS AND UNDER
Two words can describe this age group: Total chaos! Choosing who will win this age group is as good as throwing a dice! Six boys – Tzion Tamale, Raan Batuk, Austin Wanyama, Liam Kaweesa, Ashley Kimuli, Arthur Rugaba – all have a chance to collect enough points to win the age group. Expect nothing but drama.
GIRLS 10 YEARS AND UNDER
Gianna Opolot has what it takes to win this age group. She will, however, get a few shockers from the young Aya Adams in the backstroke events, and Audrey Nyonyintono.
BOYS 11-12 YEARS
Bar some weird catastrophe, this is Elijah Ayesiga’s championship. A few threats lurk in the shadow in the form of Kristian Bwisho and Jordan Musoke; but in the end, Ayesiga is expected to walk away with the main age group trophy.
GIRLS 11-12
Nisha Pearl Najjuma will have to put in some solid shift to win this one. While she has a slight edge over her peers, she is definitely not going to have it easy. The likes of Alba Ihunde, Francesca Nazziwa, Liora Lumu, Shivon Nagginda, Ashton Suubi and Daniela Munguci are all capable of winning a couple of races.
BOYS 13-14
Jonathan Kaweesa has had such a dominant year that it is hard to remember when he last lost a local event. That is about to change. Abdou Hakim is back in town. Hakim, who left for the USA nearly a year ago, is back to rewrite the script. Ladies and gentlemen, we now have a proper battle on our hands.
GIRLS 13-14
For the last three Uganda national championships, Zara Mbanga has walked away with the overall age group trophy. Now, she faces her toughest local championship in teammate and the defending champion of this age group, Peyton Suubi, who has taken the local scene by storm.
This age group is such a close call as it will largely depend on the outside disruptors. And the disruptors come in all shapes and sizes. Gabriella Opolot, Mackayla Ssali, Crystal Ssemanda, Tyra Muganzi have different ideas of their own, and they hold the cards on who will win this age group.
BOYS 15-16
Heer Usadadiya, Peterson Inhensiko, Kuc Isaiah are back home after nearly a year away. Usadadiya, who is based in Australia, has had top-notch training; it is safe to pick him as a favourite. Inhensiko, who studies in the UK, is a master of short distance races, while Kuc, based in Tanzania, is an all-rounder.
But in Ethani Ssengooba and Daniel Rukundo, we have arguably one of the most interesting age groups to watch.
GIRLS 15-16
Tara Kisawuzi is the firm favourite to defend her title. But who said the fight for second place is always a dull moment! Paloma Kirabo, Ba Raya Inell and Rahmah Nakasule should give us something exciting to watch.
BOYS 17 AND OVER
Tendo Mukalazi, one of Uganda’s most decorated swimmers who last swam on home soil three years ago, will be among the headliners at the championship. He has a few individual races. One of the thrilling races of the championship will be the 50 meters backstroke between Mukalazi and the returning Tendo Kaumi – both of whom study in Hungary.
GIRLS 17 AND OVER
Kirabo Namutebi, the finest this country has ever seen, is back on the local pool deck after two years away. Namutebi is expected to sweep all her few individual races, although it will be nice watching her race against Avice Meya, 30, a former captain of team Uganda, who is back for domestic competitions after more than six years away.