Representing Uganda

Representing Uganda is the highest level of the national rowing pathway. Uganda Rowing prepares and supports athletes to compete at regional, continental and international competitions across Classic Rowing and Beach Sprint Rowing.

Elite Athletes

Uganda's Rowing Champions

Kathleen Noble

Ugandan Olympian
Women's 2,000m Rowing
Paris 2024 | Tokyo 2020

Kathleen made history as Uganda's first female Olympic rower at Tokyo 2020 and returned to represent Uganda at Paris 2024. She recently set a new personal best and national record of 7:51.37 in the 2,000m event, demonstrating elite athletic performance and consistency at world-class standards.

Elijah Namunyu

Senior Men's Coastal
Beach Sprint Rowing
LA 2028 Olympic Pathway

Elijah is developing towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games through competitive beach sprint racing. Recently competed at the 1924 Pharoes Trophy in Portugal, achieving a personal best of 2:45.773 in the coastal single event and gaining valuable experience in ocean conditions and tactical racing.

Marcel Andrew Otim

Rising Star & Pioneer
Sculls / Beach Sprints
DeMatha Catholic HS / Potomac Boat Club

At just 17 years old, Marcel made history as Uganda's first international rowing medalist, winning bronze at the Commonwealth Rowing Beach Sprints in Barbados (November 2025). A world championship competitor and trailblazer, he balances elite training in the USA with high-level academics, representing a new generation of African athletes breaking boundaries globally.

Olympic Games

Two Consecutive Olympic Games

Tokyo 2020

Olympic Debut

Uganda Rowing represented Uganda at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Paris 2024

Consecutive Representation

Uganda returned to the Olympic stage at Paris 2024, achieving representation at consecutive Olympic Games.

World Rowing U19 Championships

Uganda's Developing Junior Pathway

World Rowing U19 Championships · Plovdiv 2026 & Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

Marcel Otim

Junior Men's Coastal Single Sculls

Age

2:45.77

Coastal PB

Marcel competes in junior men's coastal single sculls, developing towards the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Recently demonstrated improved boat handling, steering and navigation at international competitions. He is progressing through Uganda's world-class junior pathway, gaining valuable experience in beach sprint racing and ocean conditions.

Trakai 2025

Uganda's Junior International Debut

Uganda competed at the World Rowing U19 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania, as part of the country's developing junior international programme.

Plovdiv 2026

Uganda returned to the World Rowing U19 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria — the performance detailed alongside represented another important step in Uganda's developing junior pathway.

Continental & Regional Competition

Africa, Commonwealth & East Africa

Africa

Africa Rowing · Africa Beach Sprint

Uganda participates in continental competition through the Africa Rowing Championships and the Africa Beach Sprint Championships. These competitions provide important opportunities for Uganda's athletes to measure themselves against Africa's leading rowing nations and progress towards higher levels of international competition.

Commonwealth

CRA Beach Sprint Championships

Uganda participates in the Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprint Championships, providing athletes with international Beach Sprint racing experience within the Commonwealth rowing community.

East Africa

Regional Beach Sprint Championships

The East Africa Regional Beach Sprint Championships provide an important competitive and development platform for rowers from across the region. Uganda's participation forms part of its strategy to strengthen regional competition while preparing emerging athletes for continental and international racing.

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