Uganda Laser Open

The Uganda Laser Open is VNSC’s biggest event of the year. Each year at the beginning of March, sailors converge at VNSC for three days of racing on Lake Victoria.

As a competitor, you can expect great racing and competition for all levels. In 2025, we had 40 competitors, including Olympian Micky Beckett and recent graduates of our beginners sailing course.

As an out-of-town visitor, you can expect a warm welcome to Uganda and the VNSC. The club members have a tradition of hosting out-of-town guests at their homes and we try our best to reserve the best club boats for our visitors (although you are encouraged to bring your own equipment if you have it).

The next ULO is scheduled for February 27 - March 2, 2026. Sign-up using the form below.

Download the Notice of Race

Sign-Up

Fees

Three-day regatta fees are:

  • UGX 360,000 (USD 100) for members (own boat)

  • UGX 414,000 (USD 115) for members plus boat rental

  • UGX 432,000 (USD 120) for non-members (own boat)

  • UGX 486,000 (USD 135) non-members plus boat rental

  • UGX 216,000 (USD 60) for youth sailors 19 and under (own boat)

  • UGX 270,000 (USD 75) for youth sailors 19 and under plus boat rental

Single-day sign-up fees are:

  • UGX 180,000 (USD 50) per day for members (own boat)

  • UGX 198,000 (USD 55) per day for members plus boat rental

  • UGX 216,000 (USD 60) per day for non-members (own boat)

  • UGX 234,000 (USD 65) per day for non-members plus boat rental

  • UGX 108,000 (USD 30) per day for youth sailors 19 and under (own boat)

  • UGX 126,000 (USD 35) per day for youth sailors 19 and under plus boat rental

Members of reciprocal clubs pay member rates. Reciprocating clubs are:

  • Dar es Salaam Yacht Club

  • Entebbe Sailing Club

  • Kisumu Yacht Club

  • London Yacht Club (Cowes UK)

  • Mombasa Yacht Club

  • Naivasha Yacht Club

  • Tanga Yacht Club

Race Information

Entry is open to anybody to compete in a Laser/ILCA Standard, Radial, or 4.7 rig. The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 and the ULO 2026 sailing instructions apply. All rigs compete in one fleet and will start simultaneously. For calculation of results, Standard, Radial and 4.7 rigs’ finishing times are adjusted with 100%, 96%, and 91%respectively.

Nine races are scheduled. The first race will start on Friday 28 February not before 14:00; the first race on Saturday and Sunday will start not before 11:00. The low-point scoring system shall apply. The number of discards is two for 8-9 races, one for 6-7 races, zero for 1-5 races sailed.

Prizes shall be awarded in the following categories:

  • Uganda Laser Overall Champion 2026, First Runner up, Second Runner up

  • Uganda Laser Woman Champion 2026

  • Uganda Laser Youth, Apprentice, and Senior Champion 2026

  • Uganda Laser Open Standard, Radial, and 4.7 Winner

  • VNSC Handicap Winner

No sailor may win more than one prize.

The race committee will be announced at the first briefing.

The race office will be sited at VNSC, Kaazi and will be open for competitors to confirm entry and view sailing instructions from 10:00 on Friday, 28th February 2026. The briefing for all competitors will be at 13:30 on Friday, 28th February at the VNSC clubhouse. The first race is scheduled to start at 14:30 on Friday, 28th February.

All sails must have a unique sail number. A limited number of hulls, foils and kits will be available to rent for the event and must be requested at the time of registration. All rentals will be issued at the discretion of VNSC, according to availability and VNSC’s boat allocation policy. Sailors are encouraged to bring their own equipment.

The Uganda Sailing Federation and the Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club are not liable for bodily injury or death, injury to property, or any other loss, damage, or expense arising from participation in the Uganda Laser Open 2026.