By Yasiri J. Kasango
Uganda Christian University (UCU) swimmers delivered a strong showing at the morning session of the 20th Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) Games, held at Seroma Christian High School Mukono. Competing against teams from institutions like Makerere University, Ndejje University, and others, UCU athletes secured several top placements across individual events and relays, highlighting their depth in freestyle, individual medley, and backstroke disciplines.
Leading the charge for UCU was 21-year-old Esther Atto, who emerged as a standout performer in the women’s category. Atto claimed third place in the 100 SC Meter Freestyle with a time of 1:13.19, narrowly behind swimmers from Makerere and Ndejje. She also earned bronze in the 50 SC Meter Butterfly at 36.46 seconds. In longer distances, Atto finished fourth in both the 400 SC Meter Freestyle (6:25.17) and the 200 SC Meter IM (3:24.63), demonstrating consistent endurance and versatility.
On the men’s side, Ryan Asabo, also 21, mirrored Atto’s success with two third-place finishes. He clocked 6:00.33 in the 400 SC Meter Freestyle and 2:53.13 in the 200 SC Meter IM, holding his own against top competitors from Makerere and Ndejje. Asabo added a fourth-place result in the 100 SC Meter Backstroke at 1:19.50, though he did not start in the 200 SC Meter Backstroke.
Other UCU women contributed solid efforts. Beyonce Sendege, 23, placed fifth in the 50 SC Meter Breaststroke (48.76) and sixth in the 50 SC Meter Butterfly (43.36), while also taking fourth in the 100 SC Meter Backstroke (1:52.75). Stacey Nakasiita, 20, rounded out the women’s highlights with sixth-place finishes in the 200 SC Meter Backstroke (4:28.67) and 100 SC Meter Backstroke (2:02.78). Unfortunately, Sendege did not start in the 200 SC Meter Breaststroke, and 19-year-old Sulea Namubiru was a no-show in the 50 SC Meter Breaststroke and 100 SC Meter Freestyle.
In men’s events, Darren Semugooma, 22, finished fifth in the 50 SC Meter Breaststroke (38.64) and seventh in the 50 SC Meter Butterfly (40.94). Ian Victor Ampulire, 23, competed across multiple races, placing ninth in the 50 SC Meter Breaststroke (45.04), seventh in the 100 SC Meter Freestyle (1:40.07), and seventh in the 200 SC Meter Breaststroke (4:04.86). Emanzi Rujumba, 22, took eighth in the 100 SC Meter Backstroke (2:44.33).
The session culminated in relays, where UCU’s men’s team—A consisting of Semugooma, Rujumba, Ampulire, and Asabo, secured fourth place in the 200 SC Meter Medley Relay with a time of 2:48.38, behind Ndejje, Makerere Swim Team, and Makerere Business School. The women’s relay team, featuring Sendege, Atto, Nakasiita, and Namubiru, did not start.
UCU’s performances underscore the university’s growing presence in Ugandan collegiate swimming, with athletes like Atto and Asabo poised for potential medals in the afternoon sessions. The AUUS Games continue today, bringing together student-athletes from across the country in a celebration of university sports.
