Brighton graduate becomes first Ugandan elected to world swimming committee

After arriving in the UK as a child, Jamila came to University of Brighton to study Business Management with Marketing BSc(Hons), graduating in 2018. While studying at Brighton, Jamila swam for Uganda at the 2016 Olympics, as well as swimming for the University of Brighton team.

Jamila was supported by both a University of Brighton Sports Scholarship and an Olympic Scholarship – the latter providing financial assistance to allow her to compete at international events.

Jamila Lunkuse

Though she had never even raced in a 50m Olympic-sized pool until 2008, Jamila made her Olympic debut competing in the women's 50m freestyle for Uganda at the 2012 Olympics in London. Her new appointment makes Jamila the first Ugandan to serve on the FINA committee, which represents competitive swimmers across the world.

Though Jamila has now retired from competitive swimming, she remains an influential sporting figure within Uganda as a member of the Uganda Swimming Federation (USF) executive committee, as well as coaching younger swimmers in a growing cohort of Ugandan swimmers now appearing on the international sporting stage.

Speaking to the Uganda Daily Monitor about her time in Brighton, Jamila said: “My coaches in England always pushed me to focus on my own individual goals because everyone swims differently.... When I did that, I started to improve massively.... My experience was very good.”

Talking about the impact she is having on her sport now, Jamila said: “The Ugandan federation plays a huge part organizing meets, as well as parents and schools. Before, swimming wasn’t popular in schools but now many children in school do swim, and later they can compete. It’s important to start and then grow.”

University of Brighton swimming team 2018