What began in 2005 as Kings Swimming Club within a school has evolved into the independent and thriving Dolphins Swimming Club, a testament to the vision and dedication of its founders. Coach Tonny Kasujja recounts the journey: starting as Kings Swimming Club, then transitioning to Agha Khan Dolphins BC before becoming independent as Dolphins Swimming Club “AC” (after COVID-19).
The impetus behind Dolphins was a desire to create a swimming environment inclusive of Ugandans, in contrast to a sport Coach Tonny described as predominantly featuring white athletes at the time. The club was established by three individuals: Coach Tonny Kasujja himself, Coach Peter Thinga (from Kenya), and Muwanguzi Muzafalu (who later joined Getters), with Juma Semanda eventually moving to Canada. Peter Nyinga is recognized as the vision bearer of the club, though he returned to Kenya in 2011.
A significant step in the club’s development was the launch of the Dolphins Junior Championships in 2008. The inaugural event was held at Agha Khan, attracting numerous teams. Recognizing the superior facilities, subsequent championships were hosted at Gems Cambridge for an extended period, a partnership that proved pivotal for the growing competition. Building on the success of the junior events, adult swimmers soon requested their own competition, leading to the annual Dolphins Fast and Furious meet, held every September.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted sports, causing the collapse of some clubs and a two-year hiatus in competitions. The upcoming Dolphins Junior Championships mark the third edition since these disruptions.
Dolphins Swimming Club operates with a structured organization comprising three main wings. The board of directors, currently in its sixth iteration and headed by Dorothy Kabagambe, provides leadership. The second wing consists of ten coaches dedicated to training the swimmers. The third crucial wing comprises the parents, who serve as the primary financial sponsors of the club. A fourth, broader wing includes facility owners, the Uganda Swimming Federation, the media, and law enforcement, highlighting the wider network supporting the club.
A core philosophy of the Dolphins Junior Championships is to educate young swimmers on the rules of the sport. Coach Tonny emphasized that many talented young swimmers were being disqualified due to a lack of understanding of swimming regulations. The club believes that instilling this knowledge at a young age is more effective than trying to teach adults. This focus has yielded positive results, with young Ugandan swimmers demonstrating a strong grasp of the rules in national and international competitions, serving as role models for their peers and promising a bright future for the club’s aspirations.
Coach Tonny highlighted the egalitarian nature of sports, where talent can transcend socioeconomic backgrounds. However, he acknowledged that swimming, often perceived as an elite sport, can present financial barriers, particularly regarding equipment and training costs. Despite this, Dolphins Swimming Club actively supports underprivileged students through bursaries, currently benefiting at least ten individuals, although complete financial coverage remains a challenge.
Swimming, like any sport, faces its unique set of hurdles. Coach Tonny pointed out the fundamental challenges of teaching basic aquatic skills such as breathing, floating, and movement, unlike land-based sports. Consistent practice is crucial in swimming, as skills can quickly regress without it. Furthermore, the club faces a lack of support from some schools, leading to conflicts between academic commitments and training schedules. The high cost and import dependence of specialized swimming equipment, coupled with limited local knowledge about these resources, also pose significant challenges.
Beyond swimming-specific issues, Ugandan sports in general suffer from a scarcity of educational materials like books on the subject in local libraries and a lack of sports researchers. Parental investment in necessary equipment, despite their desire for their children’s success, is also often lacking. Ultimately, the financial demands of the sport remain a significant obstacle for many families.
Despite these challenges, Dolphins Swimming Club is forging ahead. The upcoming Dolphins Junior Championships on Saturday, April 12th, and Sunday, April 13th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily, promises to be a significant event. Twenty-three teams are expected to participate, including Aqua Atic, Dolphins themselves, Kampala Aquatics, Visions for Africa, Starrlong, Jaguar, Silver Fish, and a team from Kenya, among others.
The young athletes will compete in five individual events: butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke, and freestyle, as well as the individual medley, where swimmers showcase their skills in all four strokes according to the rules. Mixed and single relays will also feature. Awards will be given to participants, with merit certificates for the top six finishers and gold, silver, and bronze medals for the top three. Triumphs will be awarded to the top-performing girl and boy in each of the three age groups: 5-7, 8-9, and 10-11. This event underscores Dolphins Swimming Club’s commitment to fostering young talent and promoting the sport of swimming in Uganda.
