Mbanga Zara Marie spearheaded Uganda’s golden start to the Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships with a double-gold performance as the hosts amassed 43 medals to seize early momentum in their quest for a fourth consecutive title.
The 15-year-old won the Girls 15 and Over 400m Individual Medley in 5:27.09 before claiming the Girls 15–16 50m Breaststroke gold in 36.24 seconds, setting the tone for Uganda’s dominant opening-day display at Kampala International School Uganda.
Zara Marie in action – Credit to Jackshots
Uganda collected 32 medals in the opening age-group session, comprising 12 gold, 13 silver and seven bronze. Their overall tally rose to 43 medals, including 23 gold, after the Masters events were included.
Other Ugandan gold medallists included Nabatanzi Mushira, 12, who won the Girls 12 and Under 50m Breaststroke in 36.73 seconds, and Asima Gabriella Opolot A, 14, who claimed the Girls 13–14 title in 35.51 seconds.
Kisawuzi Tara, 18, completed Uganda’s sweep of the girls’ 50m Breaststroke titles by winning the Girls 17 and Over race in 37.10 seconds.
Marie in action 2 -Credit to Jackshots
In the boys’ events, Feni Larry, 20, won the 50m Breaststroke in 29.56 seconds, finishing ahead of compatriot Nathan Nsereko.
Uganda also secured gold in the backstroke through Katumba Adam, who won the Boys 13–14 200m race in 2:21.93; Kirabo Paloma, who claimed the Girls 15–16 title in 2:32.86; Abdou Hakim S, winner of the Boys 15–16 race in 2:14.89; and Shaun Kairumba Murungi, who triumphed in the Boys 17 and Over category in 2:18.65.
Despite Uganda’s early dominance, Tanzania and Kenya showed they would provide stiff competition. Tanzania’s Viljoen Nicolene J, 14, won the Girls 14 and Under 400m Individual Medley in 5:15.52 and the Girls 13–14 200m Backstroke in 2:32.26.
Credit to Jackshots
Kenya also secured gold through Muses Harith in the 400m Individual Medley and Ndirangu Don G in the 50m Breaststroke.
Uganda captain Nathan Nsereko acknowledged the intensity of the competition after settling for silver in the 50m Breaststroke but urged his teammates to remain motivated.
“Today I had 50 metres breaststroke and I came second place. It was a close finish but a bit disappointing. However, I’m happy with the results,” Nsereko said.
Credit to Jackshots
“The competition is really tight, but the objective is to keep everyone motivated and pushing to the best of their ability.
“Ideally, the goal is to retain our title because we have won this back-to-back three times already.”
Africa Aquatics Zone III president Donald Rukare praised the organisation and strong regional turnout, with more than 500 swimmers participating in the championships.
“We are happy to be here on day one of the African Aquatics. Over 500 swimmers from different countries in the zone are here to compete,” Rukare said.
Credit to Jackshots
He added that the programme includes senior, junior and Masters swimming, alongside water polo and open-water swimming.
“Swimming will go on until Saturday, then we have water polo on Sunday afternoon. We have open water on Sunday at Entebbe and the Masters. So we have about four categories, and so far everything is going well,” he said.
Uganda has assembled a 197-member team comprising 76 female and 121 male athletes as it seeks to extend its regional supremacy.
The hosts won the championship in Kigali in 2023, retained the title in Bujumbura in 2024 and completed a third successive triumph in Nairobi in 2025.
The 11th edition of the championships runs from October 21 to 25. Kampala International School Uganda is hosting pool swimming and water polo, while open-water swimming will take place at Entebbe Sailing Club.
With Zara Marie leading the charge and Uganda’s swimmers delivering across several disciplines, the hosts have laid down an early marker. They must now sustain that momentum against Tanzania, Kenya and other regional challengers to secure a fourth consecutive crown.