Uganda’s Swimming team begins final preparations for FEASSA Games 2024

By Emmanuel Sekago

The swimming team set to represent Uganda at this year’s 21st edition of the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games has entered its final and crucial week of rigorous preparations. The games, scheduled to take place in Bukedea District at Bukedea Comprehensive School from August 16th to 27th, 2024, will see Uganda defending its title as the reigning champions.

The team, comprising 14 girls and 16 boys, was selected during the USSSA National Ball Games Two at Seroma Christian School. They are currently honing their skills at the Green Hill Academy Swimming Pool. Team Coach Eric Kisero, in an interview with Wallnetnews, expressed confidence in the team’s readiness for the upcoming competition.

“We are ready for the championship, and we are going for nothing but the title. To win the overall swimming title, we must win in as many races as possible,” Kisero stated.

Uganda’s swimming team has a lot to live up to, as they are the defending champions from last year’s 20th edition of the FEASSA Games, held in Huye, Rwanda. In that competition, Uganda amassed 1,140 points to secure the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Association (FEASSSA) title.

The boys’ team earned 543 points, winning 24 medals—13 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze, while the girls’ team collected 517 points with 9 gold, 5 silver, and 7 bronze medals, marking their first-ever triumph at the games.

Last year’s success was driven by a multi-talented group of swimmers, including standout performers like, in Girls; Karimah Katemba: 60 points, Karla Mugisha: 55 points, Abigail Mwagale: 54 points, Rahmah Nakasule: 53 points, Paloma Kirabo: 52 points and Esther Atoo: 47 points

For the Boys; Pendo Kaumi: 60 points, Akram Lubega: 57 points, Ampaire Namanya: 54 points and Ethan Ssengooba: 52 points, These athletes played a crucial role in wrestling the title from rivals Kenya in the girls’ category and securing dominance in the boys’ events.

Swimmers from six countries—Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Rwanda—will compete for titles at this year’s FEASSA Games. The competition is expected to be fierce, with Uganda aiming to defend its crown against strong regional rivals.

Richard Muhumuza, who is in charge of Uganda’s swimming team, shared his expectations in an interview with Wallnetnews, “We are fully prepared to defend our title. The team has been working hard, and we are confident in their ability to perform at the highest level. Our goal is to replicate last year’s success and even surpass it, bringing more glory to Uganda in the swimming events.”

As Uganda’s swimming team enters the final stretch of preparations for the FEASSA Games 2024, the focus is firmly on defending their title and maintaining their dominance in East African school sports. With a strong squad and rigorous training under their belt, Uganda’s swimmers are poised to make waves at Bukedea Comprehensive School and add to the nation’s growing legacy in the sport.