A Tale of Two Waters: Uganda’s Water Polo and Open-Water test

Uganda’s aquatic ambitions took centre stage as the 11th Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships brought together swimmers and water polo competitors from across the region, with Lake Victoria providing the backdrop for an absorbing display of endurance, competition and regional talent.

From the demanding open-water races at Entebbe Sailing Club to the water polo contests at Kampala International School Uganda (KISU), the championships offered two contrasting but equally compelling expressions of aquatic sport, highlighting the depth of swimming beyond the traditional pool events.

The open-water competition, held on October 25, 2026, at Entebbe Sailing Club, tested athletes against the demands of distance swimming in open water, where pacing, navigation, endurance and mental resilience are just as important as raw speed. A day earlier, water polo took its place on the championship programme at KISU, bringing another dimension to the regional contest.

Water Polo: Kenya edge Uganda in double gold-medal showdown

In the water polo competition, Uganda found a formidable obstacle in Kenya, with the visitors completing a double victory in both the Junior and Open categories to take home the gold medals.

The Junior final saw Kenya defeat Uganda 6–2, denying the hosts the opportunity to crown their campaign with a gold medal. Uganda had, however, demonstrated their attacking potential earlier in the competition, recording an emphatic 12–1 victory over Tanzania in the opening stage. Kenya had beaten Rwanda 4–1 in the other opening-stage contest.

Uganda’s Open team also came up against a determined Kenyan side in the final, falling 6–3 after an earlier 4–0 victory over Tanzania. Kenya had announced their intentions with an 8–0 win over Rwanda in the opening stage.

Rwanda took bronze in both categories, beating Tanzania 4–3 in the Open bronze-medal match, while Tanzania claimed the Junior bronze with a 2–1 victory over Rwanda.

Open Water: Uganda battle Kenya for regional supremacy

Out on Lake Victoria, competitors had to negotiate distance, sustain their rhythm and manage the physical and mental demands of racing in an expansive natural environment.

Uganda came tantalisingly close to winning the overall age-group championship, finishing second with 146 points, just three behind Kenya’s 149. Tanzania placed third with 93 points, followed by Rwanda on 36, while Burundi had 33 points.

Leading Uganda’s charge was Aiden Immelman Akubu, who delivered one of the standout performances of the day by winning the boys’ 15-and-under 3km race in 43:33.61. His victory was particularly significant, with the 14-year-old finishing ahead of Tanzania’s Zac Okumu, who clocked 46:32.11, and Kenya’s Jedidiah Murithi in 47:24.17.

William Sanford added further value to Uganda’s performance, finishing fifth in 48:10.13, giving the hosts two swimmers inside the top five.

In the girls’ 15-and-under 3km race, Uganda’s Paula Nabukeera produced a strong fourth-place finish in 50:06.00, narrowly missing the podium in a contest won by Tanzania’s Lorita Borega in 48:14.66. Daniella Mungucci and Shivon Nagginda also completed the race for Uganda, finishing sixth and ninth respectively.

The senior 5km races brought further podium finishes for the hosts. Sonia Mwere secured second place in the women’s 16-and-over category, finishing behind Kenya’s Victoria Okumu, while Benjamin Lutaaya claimed silver in the men’s race after clocking 1:01:46.09. Rwanda’s Christian Byiringiro won the men’s contest in 1:00:58.53.

Uganda Masters dominate their championship

While the age-group competition ended in a closely contested battle with Kenya, the Masters championship belonged emphatically to Uganda.

Uganda Masters topped the team standings with 201 points as Burundi Masters finished second with 20 points. The individual races produced an impressive collection of Ugandan victories.

Resty Kiwuka led the women’s 25–29 category, winning the 1.5km race in 36:02.01, just ahead of compatriot Natasha Nagadya, who finished in 36:05.90.

Mary Akello won the women’s 30–34 category, while Linda Namayanja took the 35–39 title. Jeroline Akubu added another victory in the women’s 50–54 category.

In the men’s competition, Uganda’s dominance was equally evident. Amos Bakka won the 30–34 category in 33:22.22, while Brian Kamugisha topped the 35–39 race in 37:45.75. Henry Kakooza won the 40–44 category, Robert Mubangizi claimed the 45–49 title and Donald Rukare emerged victorious in the 55–59 category.

Uganda also collected podium finishes in the men’s 25–29 category, where Gabriel Nyangabyaki, one of Uganda’s triathletes, finished second behind Burundi’s Edgar Buyaga, and in the 45–49 category, where Umar Matovu took silver behind compatriot Mubangizi.

The narrowest of margins in the mixed relay

One of the closest contests of the open-water programme came in the mixed open 2,400m race, where Uganda finished second behind Kenya.

Kenya secured victory in 40:24.14, with Uganda touching home in 40:32.88, a difference of just 8.74 seconds. Tanzania completed the podium in 43:06.35.

For Uganda, there was plenty to celebrate, but perhaps an even greater incentive to keep pushing. The gap to regional supremacy is no longer a distant horizon; in open water, it was just three points, while in water polo, the challenge is to turn silver into gold.

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