Uganda Women’s National Basketball team, Gazelles, will embark on a historic high-performance training camp in Frankfurt, Germany.

The training camp will run from 15th to 25th July 2024 at the invitation of FC Nottingen which runs a basketball franchise named Rutronik Stars Keltern that competes in the Women’s Basketball Bundesliga, the premier club league in Germany.

Organized by the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA), the camp is aimed at preparing the team ahead of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Qualifiers set for February next year.

The Gazelles will have practice sessions and also play three scrimmage games.

• Gazelles Vs MTV Stuttgart – 19th July, 2024
• Gazelles Vs Republic of Ireland – 21st July, 2024
• Gazelles Vs Republic of Ireland – 22nd July, 2024

The Team

There are fresh members on the team including former Tulane University point guard Leslie Vorpahl and  Herner TC guard Paige Robinson out of Illinois State University.

Becky Longom who has been sensational for the National Basketball League champions JKL Lady Dolphins makes the trip.

Head Coach Goran Lojo will over see the camp assisted by Nick Natuhereza and Julius Lutwama.

Full Squad: Lydia Babirye, Priscilla Abby, Janon Otto, Hope Akello, Shakira Nanvubya, Mary Amaniyo, Sharon Kirabo, Becky Longom, Jane Asinde, Sheila Lamunu, Bridget Aber, Peruth Nyamwenge, Leslie Vorpahl and Paige Robinson.

Kitara Football Club has officially announced the signing of Marvin Nyanzi.

The stylish attacking midfielder joins The Royals on a one-year deal after playing out his contract with Wakiso Giants, a side he had been with since 2022.

“We believe his abilities and playing style fit in our team. We shall have more options in the midfield and we hope  Marvin and the rest will be very helpful,” Kitara head coach Brian Ssenyondo said of the new signing as quoted by the club website.

Nyanzi who featured in twelve games for the Purple Sharks last season is excited by his new move.

“This is another opportunity for me to work harder. I made the decision easily after talking to the coach because he showed me that he wanted to work with me. I’m excited and can’t wait to get started,” he told the club media.

The 20-year-old previously played for Buddu in the Buganda Masaza Cup and Regional League side Kajjansi United Football Club.

Kitara Football Club flies to Ethiopia for a Friendly match with two of the new members of the side.

Ronald Otti (defender) and David Ndihabwe (midfielder) who joined from BUL Football and Maroons Football Club respectively are part of the travelling squad.

However, Titus Ssematimba and Marvin Nyanzi (officially announced today) both from Wakiso Giants are not part of the squad.

Kitara is set to play Mecha Sports Club in a Friendly match over the weekend on July 14.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Crispus Kusiima, Jamil Kiyimba

Defenders: Maxwell Owachgiu, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Ronald Otti, Arthur Kiggundu, Jasper Aheebwa, David Kasaija

Midfielders: Eric Muber, Paddy Muhumuza, David Ndihabwe, Solomon Okwalinga, Frank Tumwesigye, Frank Yiga

Forwards: Kabon Living, Jude Ssemugabi, Brian Aheebwa, Denis Omedi, George Ssenkaaba

NBL Playoffs | Wednesday Result

• KIU Rangers 80-47 Miracle Ravens (Rangers lead series 1-0)
• Nam Blazers 73-61 Our Saviour (Blazers lead series 1-0)

Nam Blazers used a strong fourth-quarter effort to edge Our Saviour, 73-61, in Game One of the National Basketball League Playoff Quarterfinals on Friday night at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

Our Savior matched the Blazers pound-for-pound through the first three quarters before running out of steam in the ultimate period.

Going into the last quarter, Namuwongo trailed by a couple of points but put on a 13-0 run and took command of the game in the most important time.

Combo guard Jimmy Williams led the way for Namuwoongo with a game-high 20 points with Innocent Ochera (17) and Joseph Chuma (12) coming in handy.

Henry Ssebagala and Joseph Wacha led Our Savior’s fight with 18 and 12 points respectively.

Game Two of the series will be played next week on Wednesday, July 17.

Matchday five of the 3rd Edition of MTN Tooro Amasaza Cup saw Fort Portal City Country deliver a crushing blow to Kibale County, securing a 1-0 victory at the Kahunge Playground in Kamwenge District.

This win not only earned Fort Portal City FC a coveted spot in the semifinals but also virtually eliminated Kibale County from the tournament.

George Kato was the hero for Fort Portal, scoring the decisive goal in the first half. Despite numerous opportunities and free kicks, Kibale County failed to find the back of the net.

Reflecting on the victory, Kato praised his team’s spirit and collective effort. “It was me who scored the goal but this was just proof of family spirit. We played well and created many chances, so we deserved the win. I’m happy that we have progressed to the semifinals. This time, we need the trophy,” he said.

The match, attended by several dignitaries from Tooro Kingdom, MTN, and local politicians, saw a resilient Fort Portal City FC dominate the field.

Godfrey Muhumuza, chairman of Kibale County, expressed disappointment over their elimination but remained optimistic about the future. “We are out of the tournament, but we are going to plan for next year. We have a better team, but the coordination was not good,” he said.

Irene Linda, the Fort Portal City woman Member of Parliament, was present at the game and lauded MTN for their partnership with the kingdom.

“We appreciate MTN, which has injected a lot of money and supported the kingdom in organizing this tournament. We also appreciate all our counties for their participation,” she remarked.

Fort Portal County FC is set to face Bunyangabu County FC in the semifinals at Buhinga Stadium on July 28 in Fort Portal City. This highly anticipated match will determine who advances to the final, with both teams eager to claim the championship.

Uganda Rugby Sevens have been crowned the Rugby Africa Sevens champions after beating South Africa in the final played at Labourdonnais Sports Club.

Uganda defeated South Africa, 20-15, thanks to an extra-time try from tournament MVP Aaron Ofoywroth.

The Rugby Cranes assume a 10-00 lead in the first half thanks to tries from Denis Etwau and Alex Aturinda. South Africa pulled one back before Etwau added another for Uganda at the stroke of halftime for a 15-05 lead.

South Africa controlled the bigger part of the second half and scored two tries with the second converted to take a 17-15 lead. Ofoyrwoth would then lead Ugaanda’s search for the winner and the playmaker delivered on the final play with the clock in the red zone.

It’s Uganda’s fourth continental sevens crown following success in 2016 (Nairobi) as well as 2017 and 2022 (both in Kampala). Philip Wokorach and Adrian Kasito have been part of all four African titles alongside head coach Tolbert Onyango.

By reaching the semifinal of Round Two, Uganda earned a ticket to compete in the 2025 Challenger Series, for a chance to be on the 2026 Main HSBC SVNS.

Focus for Uganda Rugby will now shift to the Africa 15s tournament that will be hosted in Kampala at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole under two weeks away.

Uganda swept through Pool A of the Second Round of the 2023 Africa Men’s Sevens on Saturday at Labourdonnais Sports Club in Mapou, Mauritius.

A coincidental draw saw Tolbert Onyango’s charges take on Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso again and they continued to assert their dominance over their opponents in the pool play as they did last weekend.

• Game 1: Uganda 36-00 Tunisia
• Game 2: Uganda 29-14 Cote d’Ivoire
• Game 3: Uganda 14-10 Burkina Faso

Uganda sailed over Tunisia without conceding a single point. Denis Etwau led the beat down with four tries while Aaron Ofoyrwoth and Adrian Kasito scored a try each.

Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso competed well, especially the latter as they both put points on the board.

Ofoyrwoth scored a brace with the other tries coming from Etwau, Pius Ogen and Alex Aturinda ass the Rugby Cranes overpowered Cote d’Ivoire

However, Burkina Faso went neck and neck with Uganda, keeping the Rugby Cranes scoreless in the second half but Kasito and Alex Aturinda’s converted first-half tries were enough to get over the line.

The Rugby Cranes will battle Zambia in the quarterfinals tomorrow (Sunday) morning as they continue their quest for a fourth African title.

The draws for the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that will be hosted in Morocco have been conducted.

Uganda Cranes who appeared in back-to-back final tournaments in 2017 and 2019 have been drawn into Group K.

The Cranes will compete against their neighbours in the north South Sudan, Congo Brazzaville and South Africa.

It should be noted that Uganda did not qualify for the last AFCON and will be eager to make amends with the team now hosting their home matches at the renovated Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

The qualifying matches will kick off in September 2024 playing South Africa away from home and Congo at home.

In October, the Cranes with play South Sudan, first at home then travel to Juba before concluding the qualifiers in November, first hosting South Africa and later travelling to Braville for the ultimate game against Congo.

The exact dates for the matches will be shared in due course.

The MTN Uganda-sponsored Tooro Amasaza Cup returned in full force over the weekend with two exhilarating matches in Kabarole and Kyenjojo districts.

In the Saturday clash, Burahya County registered a comfortable 4-1 victory over Kitagwenda County at the packed Kyembogo Datic Playground in Kabarole district.

However, it was Kitagwenda that opened the scoring but Burahya quickly equalized with the game heading to halftime all square.

In the second half, Burahya’s coach, Bernard Musonge, rallied his team to play stronger and they responded by netting three more goals, capitalizing on Kitagwenda’s missed opportunities.

“We have a more organized team now and are looking forward to more wins,” stated Burahya official Muhumuza Crosby, reflecting on their improvements since their opening match loss to Mwenge Central.

Kitagwenda’s coach, Brian Walusimbi, voiced concerns about the playing field but remained hopeful for their upcoming crucial match against Mwenge South.

The action continued on Sunday as Mwenge North faced off against Kyaka County at the Kyarusozi Playground in Kyenjojo district.

Kyaka emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win. The solitary goal was scored in the first half, and Kyaka’s solid defense maintained their lead until the final whistle.

Kyaka County Member of Parliament and team patron, Tom Bright, expressed his joy at the victory and thanked the organizing committee for their efforts.

“We are overwhelmed by this victory. I thank the players, fans, organizing committee, the Kingdom of Tooro for this opportunity and MTN for the partnership,” he said.

Looking Ahead

The Tooro Kingdom MTN Amasaza Cup, played since 2004, continues to be a significant event in the region, drawing large crowds and fostering a spirit of togetherness.

The tournament will proceed with more matches in the coming weekends, keeping the excitement alive for fans and players alike.

Uganda Rugby Cranes star Phillip Wokorach has signed for another Fench side Orleans Rugby Club.

Wokorach joins the Nationale 2 Division side on an initial two-year deal that runs until the summer of 2026.

“I chose the RCO for the ambition of the club and the interesting project and the excellent season they just had,” said Philip Wokorach about moving to RCO.

Phillip Wokorach joins RCO from A.S.B.C (Avenir Sportif de Bédarrides Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vaucluse Rugby) where he has been over the last four years.

The full-back played for Heathens in the local league before going semipro in France.

Wokorach is currently with Uganda’s National Sevens team playing at the Africa Sevens Cup in Mauritius chasing a spot in the 2025 Challenger Series.