Hertz Invitational concludes on a high as hosts showcase Uganda’s Swimming future

The fourth edition of the Hertz Invitational Swimming Gala came to a fitting close on Sunday at Kampala Parents School, bringing down the curtain on two action-packed days that once again underlined the tournament’s growing importance in Uganda’s swimming calendar.

Despite heavy afternoon showers that interrupted racing on both competition days, the gala never lost its momentum. Swimmers, coaches and supporters remained undeterred, creating an energetic atmosphere that reflected the resilience and passion driving the sport’s continued growth.

More than just another competition, the Hertz Invitational has established itself as one of Uganda’s premier age-group development events. The gala brought together over 30 clubs from across the country, providing hundreds of young swimmers with an invaluable opportunity to compete, test themselves against the nation’s best and gain experience in a highly competitive environment.

While the battle for medals captivated spectators throughout the weekend, the event’s greatest success lay in nurturing the next generation of Ugandan swimmers.

Hosting such a major competition is no small task, yet Hertz Swim Club once again delivered an event that combined quality organization with highly competitive racing while also fielding a team capable of challenging some of Uganda’s most established swimming programs.

Competing against the country’s strongest clubs, Hertz finished 17th overall with 135 points, a result that only tells part of the story. The hosts displayed encouraging progress throughout the weekend, particularly in the younger age groups where several swimmers consistently challenged for top-eight finishes and registered personal bests.

Among the standout performers was Jevon Twesigomwe, who enjoyed an outstanding gala in the Boys 7-8 category. The versatile youngster claimed bronze in the backstroke before adding a fifth-place finish in the breaststroke and competitive performances in both freestyle and butterfly, making him one of Hertz’s highest point scorers.

Claude Mugabi also impressed with consistent swims across butterfly, freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke events, regularly finishing in the top half of large fields and contributing valuable points throughout the competition.

Another encouraging performer was Israel Murungi, who delivered solid races across multiple disciplines. Although he narrowly missed out on podium finishes, his consistency highlighted the club’s improving technical standards among its junior boys.

In the girls’ program, Myrrh Twesigomwe led the way in the highly competitive 13-14 age group, producing an impressive fifth-place finish in the butterfly against swimmers from Dolphins, Black Panther, Gators and Otters, clubs widely regarded as the country’s leading developmental programmes.

The younger girls also gave plenty of reason for optimism. Ella Ndagire and Rille Rugumba delivered encouraging performances in the Girls 7-8 Freestyle, while Anouk Lwangacontinued to show promise in the butterfly events. Zion Namanya also gained valuable experience competing across freestyle, butterfly and breaststroke while contributing important team points.

For Hertz, the weekend represented another important milestone. Beyond the final standings, the club demonstrated that it continues to build depth and confidence, with a growing crop of swimmers capable of competing alongside Uganda’s traditional swimming powerhouses.

Competition throughout Sunday’s programme remained intense as swimmers contested butterfly, backstroke and freestyle races across all age groups.

Among the youngest competitors, Hazel Buyondo of Gliders Swim Club won the Girls Under-6 Butterfly before finishing second in the backstroke, while Altona’s Zuri Samara Mwasame claimed victory in the Under-6 Backstroke.

In the boys’ division, Alexander Lael of Black Panther continued his impressive weekend by winning the Under-6 Backstroke after another podium finish in the butterfly.

The Girls 7-8 Butterfly attracted one of the largest fields of the gala, with nearly 90 swimmers taking to the blocks. Micheala Mwesigwa of Black Panther emerged victorious ahead of Halwah Kayondo of Axolotlz Blitz Aquatics and Raellah Akantorana of Swimming Angels.

The 9-10 category again demonstrated the exciting future of Ugandan swimming. Otters’ Amaya Gabrielle claimed the girls’ butterfly title, while Dolphins showcased their remarkable depth in the boys’ event through Daniel Sebaana, who led home a Dolphins one-three finish.

Other standout performances came from Liora Lumu of Altona, Shane Mugenyi of Otters, Nisha Pearl Najjuma of Otters and Benjamin Ssali of Black Panther, all of whom added impressive victories in their respective age categories.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the gala was the number of swimmers celebrating personal bests rather than podium finishes. Across every session, young athletes left the pool with improved times, greater confidence and valuable racing experience that will serve them well in future competitions.

When the final points were tallied after 40 events, Dolphins Swim Club Kampala successfully reclaimed the overall title with 694.5 points, powered largely by a dominant boys’ team that accumulated 482 points.

Black Panther Swim Club finished second with 622.5 points after topping the girls’ standings with an impressive 412 points, while Gators Swim Club Kampala secured third overall with 575 points. Otters Swim Club Uganda placed fourth with 491 points and Sailfish Swim Club Kampala completed the top five with 359 points.

The final standings also highlighted the increasing competitiveness of Ugandan swimming. More than 30 clubs featured in the rankings, reflecting the sport’s expanding reach and the steady improvement of developmental programs across the country.

For Hertz Swim Club, however, success extended far beyond its final position. Successfully hosting one of Uganda’s biggest junior swimming competitions while fielding an improving team underscored the club’s growing influence within the national swimming community.

Read the original article on Kawowo.