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Gilbert Kaburu

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Gilbert Kaburu
Personal information
Full nameGilbert Kaburu
National team Uganda
Born (1981-11-08) 8 November 1981 (age 44)
Kampala, Uganda
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight60 kg (132 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle

Gilbert Kaburu (born November 8, 1981) is a Ugandan former swimmer, Olympian and educator known for his contributions to sport and education both in Uganda and internationally. He specialized in sprint freestyle events.[1] He represented Uganda at the 2008 Summer Olympics, placing among the top 85 swimmers in the 50 m men's freestyle event.[1]

Education and swimming career

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Kaburu holds a PhD in education from Ohio University in the United States. He also studied at the College of New Jersey's Graduate Global Programs in Johannesburg, South Africa, while working towards a teaching certification and a master's degree in education.[2][3] He was invited by FINA to compete as a 26-year-old swimmer for the Ugandan team in the men's 50 m freestyle at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.[4]

International competitions

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At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Kaburu was invited by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) to compete in the men's 50m freestyle[5] under a universality invitation for athletes from developing swimming nations. He finished with a time of 27.72 seconds, placing 82nd overall out of 97 competitors.[6]

Kaburu competed in the 2008 FINA World Championships (25m) and 2006 Commonwealth Games, taking part in the sprint freestyle and backstroke events while representing Uganda on the international stage.[7]

Retirement

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Shortly after the Olympics, Kaburu announced his retirement from his swimming career in order to continue his education at TCNJ's Graduate Global Programs in Johannesburg.[8][9][10]

After retirement

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After retirement, Kaburu started teaching and coaching. He worked as a swim coach and physical education teacher at the International School of Uganda (ISU).[11] He also expanded his teachings internationally, including at the Khartoum International Community School (KICS) and The American School of Kinshasa (TASOK).[11]

Personal life

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Kaburu is married to Kezia Otoa. They have two children, a boy and a girl.[11]

References

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  1. 1 2 "Gilbert Kaburu". 3 December 2012. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
  2. ↑ "Kaburu pushes swimmers to find balance in life, pool". Monitor. 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  3. ↑ Gola, Mark. "TCNJ Student Swims in Summer Olympics". www.tcnjmagazine.com. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  4. ↑ IOC (2018-04-23). "Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics - Athletes, Medals & Results". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on 2025-09-11. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  5. ↑ men's 50m freestyle
  6. ↑ "Swimming: Men's 50m Freestyle – Heat 4". Beijing 2008. NBC Olympics. Archived from the original on 21 August 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  7. ↑ "2006 Commonwealth Games | MCG". Melbourne Cricket Ground. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  8. ↑ Gola, Mark (10 November 2008). "TCNJ Student Swims in Summer Olympics". TCNJ Magazine. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  9. ↑ "Ugandan swimmer Kaburu to retire after Beijing Olympics". Xinhua. 29 July 2008. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  10. ↑ "Kaburu pushes swimmers to find balance in life, pool". Monitor. 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
  11. 1 2 3 "Gilbert and Kezia Kaburu: A Life of Passion, Purpose, and Global Education". www.searchassociates.com. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
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