Swimmers tear down records at season-opening event 

The first event of any swimming calendar is not supposed to serve up any drama.

With their bodies fighting off the drag of a long break, swimmers usually use the first competition of the year to catch up with old friends and notice who their main competitors of the season will be.

Tara Kisawuzi and Akram Lubega ripped apart this culture when they both hit the ground running, and set new national records in the energy-draining 200 metre butterfly stroke during the just-concluded first edition of the national swimming league over the weekend. And finally, Kirabo Namutebi also joined the party by setting a new national record in the 200-metre freestyle.

Kisawuzi, 14, blazed through the eight laps at the 25-metre pool at the International School of Uganda in a time of 2:34.52, more than nine seconds faster than the previous record of 2:43.89, which 12-year-old Rahmah Nakasule set in December 2021.

In winning her 200-metre butterfly race, Kisawuzi completed the full set of records in that stroke, and now holds all three national records – the 50 metre, 100 metre, and 200 metre butterfly. Kisawuzi now becomes only the second Ugandan swimmer to enjoy such a special status.

The other swimmer is Kirabo Namutebi, one of Uganda’s most accomplished swimmers, who holds three national records in the Freestyle 50 metre, 100 metre, and 200 metres. A few minutes after Kisawuzi had set the record, Akram Lubega, 14, – Rahmah Nakasule’s big brother – received overwhelming applauds with his long underwater swims as he set a new national 200 metre butterfly record for the men in a time of 2:25.88.

The time was just over half a second faster than the 2:26.32 that Steve Magera set in December 2021. Kirabo Namutebi, now 18 years, continues to write her name in Uganda’s swimming history. Kirabo, who faces no competition in her age group, had to push herself as she won the 200-metre freestyle in a time of 2:18.08, slightly faster than the 2:18.17 that Katemba Karimah did in December 2021.

The Uganda Swimming Federation decided to introduce the league to close the gap left behind by clubs such as Seals that used to host such events. The sport was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw a disruption in a number of swim clubs.

The federation, however, has ensured that Ugandan swimmers participate in international events. And results from the USF league will be used to select the national team for upcoming international events.

Gabriella Asima of Ozpreys Swim Club and Nisha Pearl Najjuma of Otters swim club traded places as they battled for bragging rights in the girls 10 years and under. Elijah Ayesiga of Torpedoes Swim Club was unbeatable as he stamped his authority in the boys 10 years and under.

Zara Marie Mbanga of Jaguar Swim Club took advantage of the absence of her top rivals in Abigail Mwagale and Paula Nabukeera of Altona Swim Club to dominate the girls 11-12 years group. Although, the emergence of Peyton Suubi, who beat her to the podium in the 200-metre butterfly, adds to what could be an unpredictable season in that category.

Peterson Inhensiko of Gators Swim Club slightly edged his competitors, although just who will win this category at the end of the league is a hard call. Pendo Kaumi of Dolphins leads the boys in the 15-16 age group, while Karimah Katemba is going to be very hard to beat in the girls category of the same age group.

The return to swimming by Tendo Kaumi after more than three years is one of the nolstalgic story lines in the sport today. After many had written him off, Kaumi showed just who is king as he won the 50-metre backstroke and the 200-metre butterfly. The second session of the USF league is due in April.