Altona Swim Club tops Flash Invitational Swimming Gala

Paula Nabukeera, Abigail Mwagale, and Nailah Nakitto led Altona Swim Club to victory in the 13-14 years category, securing the overall title at the inaugural Flash Invitational Swimming Gala at Greenhill pool on Saturday.

The trio amassed 212 points amongst themselves out of the 1,363.50 points that won their side the overall championship trophy ahead of Orcas Swim Club who came second with 1,018 points.

Elisha Rukundo (74pts), in the 10&under and William Sanford (70pts) in the boys’ 13-14 as well as Sonia Delilah Mwere (77) and Blessing Kaitesi (70) in the girls’ 15&over categories were the other stars for the champions having also topped their categories.

Greenhill Academy's Altona Swim Club's Susan Namayanja (left) poses with Altona's trio of Abigail Mwagale, Paula Nabukeera and Nailah Nakitto after the Flash Invitaitional gala at Greenhill Academy, October 25, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Altona also had Mary Paulette Wakabi, Raymond Ssali, Francis Kisawuzi and Elijah Blessed Wamala on the podium in their respective categories, in the event that had all the age-group winners walking away with cash prizes.

Although Orcas finished in second place overall, they only managed to get one swimmer on the podium - Paulsen Kilara, who came in second to Sanford with 69 individual points in the 13-14 age group, while Dolphins' Sheldon Musiinza earned 67 points.

Other standout performers at the one-day swimming event were Otters' Gabrielle Amaya and Dolphins' Gabriel Isabirye, who both took second place in the 10 and under category.

The top swimmers in the 15&over category Larry Graig Feni (3rd right), Shadrack Mwebaze (3rd left), Blessed Elijah Wamala and Joshua Dragu Mandre (right) pose with Flash Chairman Peter Buvumbo and Uganda Aquatics' vice president Tonnie Kasujja (2nd left). Photo by Michael Nsubuga

In the 11-12 girls' division, Aquatic Academy's Mushirah Nabatanzi and Otters' Abigail Namakwa were among the top finishers, along with Shane Mugenyi who dominated the boys' competition in that same age group. Silverfin Academy's Luke Sebastian Ssimbwa and Altona's David Kayden Kamurasi ended up sharing third place with 59 points each.

In the boys' 15 and over category, other notable swimmers included Silverfin's Larry Graig Feni, Dolphins' Shadrack Mwebaze, and Aquatic Academy's Joshua Dragu Mandre, while Aquatic Academy's Plaxida Nakabanda grabbed third place in the girls' competition for the same age group.

Kaitesi expressed her excitement about her team's success, saying she felt really proud that they managed to come out on top. She mentioned that their team has a lot of experience and they really worked hard to win. She added that coming back helped them show they still have what it takes to be the best and that participating also gave them valuable experience while helping them connect with other swimmers.

Shane Mugenyi, who won the boys' 11-12 category, said he was thrilled to finish first in his division. He explained that it all came down to putting in the hard work during training, especially since he only started swimming about two years ago. He had to work extra hard to get better than swimmers who had been at it longer than him. He also mentioned that the event was both interesting and enjoyable, and they even got to take home cash prizes.

Nakawa East Member of Parliament Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga expressed his appreciation to parents for letting their kids take part in sports to develop their abilities.

Peter Buvumbo, who chairs Flash Swimming Club, explained that the event was designed to boost the sport's visibility. He pointed out that in the past, people would just win trophies and go home, but now they can actually take-home money and put it back into supporting swimmers, which is important since swimming is such an expensive sport.

Combined team scores

Altona 1,363.50pts

Orcas 1,018

Aquatic Academy 652

Dolphins 497

Otters 455.50

Silverfin Academy 363

Whales Academy Entebbe 158

Friends of Water 136

Individual 89

Starlings Swim Club 53