Police Football Club and Belgian giants Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht have agreed to a deal for striker Derrick Kakooza.

Negotiations have been going on between the aforementioned teams in the last weeks and agreement was reached for the transfer of the budding striker who starred for Uganda Hippos at the U20 AFCON.

The money involved is not yet not known but according to reports, Kakooza has put pen to paper on a five-year deal.

Kakooza has been on the radar of several clubs following his brilliant display with the Uganda Hippos at the 2020 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Mauritania.

There has been interest from several clubs especially from North African clubs such as Esperance, Al Ahly, and Zamalek.

If the paperwork is completed, Kakooza will become the second Ugandan to play in Belgium in recent times, following in the footsteps of Farouk Miya who played at Standard Liege and Royal Excel Mouscoron.

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) has announced the twelve-man squad for the rescheduled FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers.

There are two new players on the team in Keiran Zziwa and Mohamed Ghedi. The two are part of the seven foreign based players on the team. The others are; Ishmail Wainwright, Arthur Kaluma, Eric Rwahwire, Robinson Opong, and John Deng Geu.

Uganda’s games at last qualifying window in Tunisia in February were called off shortly before tip-off following five positive tests for COVID-19 in the Silverbacks camp.

The rescheduled games are to be played on Thursday, July 8 and 15 but the second game will depend on the result of the first.

While Egypt sealed their qualification from the group, Cape Verde, Morocco, and Uganda have to battle for the remaining two places and the Silverbacks need just a single win to qualify for the continental championship.

Uganda will play Morocco first in Salé at Salle Bouazzaoui and then Cape Verde if necessary.

According to FUBA President Nasser Sserunjogi, the team will have a ten-day camp in Cairo, Egypt before heading to Morocco for the game.

“Our plan is to have a camp in Cairo for 10 days where foreign-based players will link up with our local-based players where the team can gel and prepare for the games,” he says.

The five home based players and coaches leave for Egypt on Thursday, June 24.

The Squad

Jimmy Enabu (City Oilers), Tonny Drilleba (City Oilers), James Okello (City Oilers), Ben Komakech (City Oilers), Titus Odeke Lual (UCU Canons), Robinson Odoch Opong (Canada), Eric Rwahwire (Canada), Keiran Zziwa (Canada), Mohamed Ghedi Abdihakim (USA), John Deng Geu (Denmark), Ishmail Wainwright (France), Arthur Kaluma (USA)

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) has suspended the remaining StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) fixtures until further notice.

The decision follows President Museveni’s address to the nation on Friday 18th June 2021 on the Covid-19 pandemic, where he issued new directives in the fight against the virus.

Sports is one of the activities that have been henceforth suspended for the next 42 days as the country grapples to contain the second wave.

“Fufa wishes to announce that all StarTimes UPL matches scheduled for Saturday 19th June 2021 and Sunday 20th June 2021 have been postponed,” reads in part the statement from the federation.

“Fufa will give further guidance on the remaining match days in the near future.”

Last season, the FA applied the 75 percent rule to award Vipers the title after the pandemic forced the league off with five rounds of matches to play.

Should the same be applied this time, leaders Express will be declared champions for the seventh time as the Red Eagles currently stand on 58 points, with URA 57 and Vipers 56 each with four games left to play.

Sam Ssenyonjo scored four times as 10-man KCCA Football Club rallied to beat relegated Kitara Football Club 6-2 at Masindi Municipal Stadium on Friday.

The Kasasiro who trailed 2-1 at halftime had utility player Denis Iguma sent off in the second half.

Ssenyonjo scored in the 6^th, 57^th, 65^th, and 67^th minutes to put the hosts to the sword.

Charles Lwanga and Andrew Kawooya scored the other goals for Morley Byekwaso’s charges who consolidate fourth place with 48 points.

Vincent Kasoki and Nathan Oloro scored for bottom-placed Kitara who were relegated to the Fufa Big League with over six games to end the season.

KCCA’s next game will be at home to Wakiso Giants on Wednesday 23 while Kitara will visit URA on the same day.

Morley Byekwaso has named a 40-man provisional squad for the 2021 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup that will be hosted by Ethiopia.

The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup that’s designed for players U23 years but allows just three above the age cap will be played from 3rd-18th July.

Five over age players have been included where the three will be selected from. Saidi Kyeyune, Isma Watenga, Charles Lukwago, Yunus Ssentamu and Murushid Juuko are the senior players on the team.

The team will enter residential training camp on Friday.

The Provisional Squad Summoned

Goalkeepers: Watenga Ismail (Chippa United FC), Lukwago Charles (KCCA FC), Otim Dennis (Express FC), Keni Saidi (SC Villa), Kibowa Eric (UPDF FC), Matovu Hassan Muyomba (KCCA FC)

Defenders: Kizito Mugweri Gavin (SC Villa), Begisa James Penz (UPDF FC), Walusimbi Enock (Express FC), Kayondo Abdu Aziizi (Vipers SC), Ndahiro Derrick (SC Villa), Kaddu George (Wakiso Giants FC), Juuko Murushid (Express FC), Musa Ramathan (KCCA FC), Ssemakula Kenneth (BUL FC), Magambo Peter (KCCA FC), Mukundane Hillary (Mbarara City FC)

Midfielders: Byaruhanga Bobosi (Vipers SC), Kiggundu Derrick (Soltilo Bright Stars FC), Watambala Abdul Karim (Vipers SC), Kyeyune Saidi (Unattached), Sserwadda Steven (KCCA FC), Ssenyonjo Hassan (Wakiso Giants FC), Anukani Bright (KCCA FC), Mugulusi Isam (Busoga United FC), Kabonge Nicholas (SC Villa), Salim Abdallah (SC Villa).

Forwards: Bogere Ivan (Wakiso Giants FC), Masereka Saddam (SC Villa), Poloto Julius (KCCA FC), Basangwa Richard (Vipers SC), Yiga Nagib (Vipers SC), Kiwanuka Hakim (Proline FC), Ssentamu Yunus (Vipers SC), Kakooza Derrick (Police FC), Ssenyonjo Samuel (KCCA FC), Anaku Sadat (KCCA FC), Ssebufu Frank (Wakiso Giants FC), Kambale Eric Kenzo (Express FC) and Lwanga Charles (KCCA FC).

Officials

• Byekwaso Morley – Head Coach
• Massa Simeon – Assistant Coach
• Kiggundu Stephen Billy – Goalkeeping Coach
• Mutyaba Bashir – Team Manager
• Ssewanyana Ivan – Team Doctor
• Bwanika Lawrence – Media Officer
• Mulondo Samuel – Kits Manager

Following a number of positive COVID-19 results during scheduled arrival testing, the Uganda Men’s Sevens national team has been withdrawn from the World Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Repechage tournament.

The tournament is scheduled for 18th-20th June at the Stade Louis II Stadium in Monaco, France.

“All Uganda players have been in strict isolation since arrival, and the delegation will continue to follow the isolation quarantine process as determined by the Monaco authorities’ public health guidelines,” a statement from World Rugby reads.

Consequently, in line with tournament rules, all pool stage matches involving Uganda will be recorded as a bye for their opponents in Pool B. The remaining Pool B teams are France, Chile, Hong Kong, and Jamaica.

Uganda women’s national basketball team (Gazelles) for the upcoming FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers has been summoned.

The FIBA Africa Zone 5 Championship which will double as the AfroBasket Qualifiers will be played from July 12-17 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Gazelles will lock horns with hosts Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Burundi with the tournament winners representing the region at the continental championship in Yaoundé, Cameroon from September 17-26.

Half of the players summoned feature for the National Basketball League back-to-back champions JKL Lady Dolphins, three are from KCCA Leopards, two from UCU Lady Canons, and one from KIU Rangers.

According to FUBA, the basketball governing body in the country, the team starts non-residential training on Friday, June 18 after taking the COVID-19 tests on Thursday.

List of Players summoned

• Brenda Ekon – JKL Lady Dolphins
• Claire Lamunu – KCCA Leopards
• Evelyn Nakiyingi – JKL Lady Dolphins
• Flavia Oketcho – JKL Lady Dolphins
• Hope Akello – JKl Lady Dolphins
• Leticia Awor – KCCA Leopards
• Priscilla Abigail – UCU Lady Canons
• Rose Akon – UCU Lady Canons
• Sharon Kirabo – KIU Rangers
• Stella Oyella – JKL Lady Dolphins
• Sylvia Nakazibwe – KCCA Leopards
• Zaina Lokwameri – JKL Lady Dolphins

Coaches

• Nicholas Natuhereza
• Ali Mavita

In the aftermath of Kyetume’s 3-1 demolition at the hands of Mbarara City, Jackson Mayanja left his role as the Slaughters head coach.

The former Uganda Cranes star cites poor welfare at the club as what has forced him out.

“I have decided to quit my role as the head coach at Kyetume Football Club due to various reasons such as failure by the club to pay both my salary and for the players,” said Mayanja.

“I can no longer continue working under such circumstances and only wish them the best of luck in their final league games.

“Our campaign was halted at the beginning of the season and I take this opportunity to thank the players for working hard to salvage the season.”

He leaves the club three points away from safety with only three games to go and is likely to be relegated.

Jimmy Kintu is the man left to try and save the sinking boat at the Nakisunga based side.

Uganda Cranes forward Abdu Lumala has expressed his pride at scoring his first international goal for the national team.

Lumala drilled home in the 89th minute for a late Uganda Cranes consolation goal despite a 3-2 loss to South Africa in a friendly game on Thursday.

The 23-year old was coming off a career threatening knee injury he sustained while on duty for Egyptian Premier League side Pyramids in June last year.

Speaking after the match, Lumala said; “I thank God and my coaches for the opportunity they gave me yesterday am delighted to score my first international goal for my country, After really tuff [sic] year with a injury..”

https://twitter.com/Lumala12Abdu/status/1403447822062608389

The forward was first summoned to the Uganda Cranes team by former head coach Sebastien Desabre ahead of the 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt.

He debuted during the team’s international friendly match against Asian country Turkmenistan that ended goal-less.

The former Kalmar FF star also featured in Uganda’s second international friendly match played in Abu Dhabi, a 1-0 win over Ivory Coast before the 2019 AFCON tournament.

West Nile side Arua Hill Sports Club has earned promotion StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

Arua Hill gained promotion to the top-tier division unbeaten throughout the season. In the 14 games of the regular season played, Arua Hill won eight matches and picked six draws.

The latest result that confirmed Arua Hill’s qualification came on the final day of the regular season at their Barifa playground on Sunday. Arua Hill brushed Paidha Black Angels 4-0 in a one-sided duel.

Gadafi Gadihno, Rashid Kawawa (brace) and Ceaser Okhuti were on target for Arua Hill.

Arua Hill thus topped the Elgon group with 30 points and will play in the Uganda Premier League starting the season of 2021-22.

Meanwhile, Tooro United also got direct promotion from the Rwenzori group after beating a hard-fighting Kigezi Home Boyz 1-0 at the Mutesa II Wankulukuku Stadium thanks to Marvin Oshaba’s penalty.

The third club will be determined via a promotional playoff involving four clubs; Gaddafi, Blacks Power, Proline, and Nyamityobora.

Gaddafi takes on Nyamityobora and Blacks Power will play Proline in the playoff semifinal on a date yet to be confirmed.