Desire Ayera, Isaac Masanganzira and Aaron Ofoyrwoth are back in Uganda’s Sevens team that will compete at the Africa Sevens this weekend in Mauritius.

The trio missed the Olympic Repechage last weekend but have been included in the squad to replace Roy Kizito, Allan Olango and William Nkore.

Denis Etwau is also back in the team and replaces Jinja Hippos’ teammate Timothy Mugisha.

The team departs for Mauritius on Thursday.

It should be noted that for the first time in history, the Rugby Africa Men’s 7s tournament will be played over two rounds at Labourdonnais Sports Club in Mapou from June 29-30 and July 6-7.

Twelve nations will compete in both rounds of the tournament with the winner to be determined by points collected after the two rounds.

Rugby Cranes Sevens Team

1. Pius Ogena
2. ⁠Isaac Massa
3. ⁠Ian Munyani
4. ⁠Philip Wokorach
5. ⁠Alex Aturinda
6. ⁠Desire Ayera
7. ⁠Aron Ofoirwoth
8. ⁠Dennis Etwau
9. ⁠Adrian Kasito
10. ⁠Karim Arinaitwe
11. ⁠Nobert Okeny
12. ⁠Timothy Kisiga

Officials

• Coach: Tolbert Onyango
• Physio: Samuel Asiimwe
• S&C Coach: Allan Otim
• Team Manager: Michael Wandera

Pools for Round One

• Pool A: Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mauritius.
• Pool B: Uganda, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Cote d’Ivoire.
• Pool C: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, Algeria.

Uganda’s Pool Fixtures (EAT)

• Uganda vs Cote d’Ivoire – 11:06am
• Uganda vs Tunisia – 1:50pm
• Uganda vs Burkina Faso – 4:34pm

Uganda Premier League side URA Football Club has announced the departure of forward Viane Ssekajugo following the expiration of his contract.

Ssekajugo has been with the Tax Collectors for the last three years.

“After three incredible years with URA FC, we bid farewell to forward Vianne sSekajugo. Your dedication and talent have been invaluable to the team. Best of luck in your future endeavours, Via!,” the club posted on their official X (Twitter) account.

Ssekajugo joined URA FC in August 2021 as a free agent from Wakiso Giants, signing a three-year deal.

During his tenure with the club, he contributed significantly, although his last season saw him scoring just two goals in 14 league matches.

Ssekajugo who has in the past played for west Nile side Onduparaka is strongly linked with a transfer to NEC Football Club.

Horace Rwakabureete was the best performer at the June Tee of Tees at Entebbe Golf Club on Saturday.

Rwakabureete returned to the clubhouse with a score of 68 nett to beat a large field of over 120 golfers that took the lakeside par-71 course during the one-day event themed “Back to School” to help raise funds for the rehabilitation of St Joseph’s Primary School – Katabi.

Other Top Performers

Peter Apell scored 74 nett to top the Men’s Group A on countback over Samson Agamile.

In Group B, Alexander Matisko took the bragging rights with 68 nett, one shot better than Moses Ssebugwawo.

Meanwhile, in Group C, Raymond Ekwamu returned 69 to win as he beat Ronald Osekeny on countback.

In the Ladies’ category, Rukia Nalwaoga won Group A with 75 nett, a shot better than defending champion Bridget Basiima.

Peace Hellen won Group B with 69 nett with Nice Janda settling for the runners-up place with 73 nett.

The 19th-hole experience was well-lit and organized in a typical school setting with a classroom seating arrangement as the golfers dressed in their respective school uniforms, reminiscing the sweet old memories from their school days as fund were raised towards the rehabilitation of St Joseph’s Primary School – Katabi.

“For us its a very good gesture because we are in partnership with entebbe club so for themto say we want to waalk with you this journey is a very good thing in termes of parternships and when they gave us the call we said we are in because its good to see the partners youre working with be able to give back to the community where we work and operate from,” said Nelson Musinguzi, Senior Manager Learning at MTN Uganda.

The best-dressed golfers at the 19th hole, Jovia Tugume and Michael Monnie, were rewarded with Shs 500,000 each which they generously donated back to the cause.

MTN Monthly Tee – June 2024 Top Performers

OVERALL WINNER

Horace Rwakabureete – 68 nett c/b

GROUP A MEN

• WINNER: Peter Apell – 74 nett c/b
• RUNNER UP: Samson Agamile – 74 nett

GROUP B MEN

• WINNER: Alexander Matsiko – 68 nett
• RUNNER UP: Moses Ssebugwawo – 69 nett c/b

GROUP C MEN

• WINNER: Raymond Ekwamu – 69 nett c/b
• RUNNER UP: Ronald  Osekeny – 69

GROUP A LADIES

• WINNER: Rukia Nalwoga – 75 nett
• RUNNER UP: Bridget Basiima – 76 nett

GROUP B LADIES

• WINNER: Hellen Peace – 69 nett
• RUNNER UP: Nice Janda – 73 nett c/b

WINNER SENIORS (55+): Isaac Mariera – 71 nett

GUEST WINNERS

• MEN: Darius Mugisha – 69 nett
• LADIES: Dinah Ongol Acen – 67 nett

LONGEST DRIVE 

• MEN: Serwano Walusimbi
• LADIES: Meron Kyomugisha

NEAREST TO THE PIN 

• MEN: Tony Kisadha 
• LADIES: Martha Babirye

• Event: MTN Monthly Tee Back to School Edition
• Date: Saturday, 22^nd June 2024
• Tee-off Times: 7:00am – 2:00pm
• Venue: Entebbe Golf Club

Over 200 golfers are expected to take the Entebbe Golf Course on Saturday, June 22 as the MTN Monthly Tee takes centre stage at the lakeside facility.

The midseason event which is themed Back to School will see its proceeds go to Airforce Primary School (St. Joseph Primary School) in Katabi.

The club set a target of 5 million Uganda shillings to raise towards Airforce Primary School and requested the players to participate by purchasing a meal card at 5000 which gives the members both a halfway house snack and dinner with all proceeds going towards the school.

The first group will tee off as early as 7:00 am with the defending champion Bridget Basiima to tee off at 7:15 am alongside Meron Kyomugisha, Rita Ssemboga and Nice Janda.

At the beginning of the month, MTN Group stated its Y’ello Care. The annual event aimed at securing high participation levels of MTN staff in high-impact social projects to uplift and empower the local communities in which the company operates kicked off on 1st June.

In honour of the Group’s 30th anniversary where the company has organised a special edition of the flagship employee volunteerism programme extended to 30 Days, Entebbe Club has joined the drive.

With this year’s campaign themed “Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow”, the focus is on bridging the educational divide in underserved communities across MTN’s operational footprint.

It’s upon this background that the Entebbe Club Executive Committee, together with MTN Uganda, have selected a school within Entebbe community, Airforce Primary School – Katabi, to be the beneficiary of a joint effort to give back during the June Tee of Tees on Saturday, 22nd June.

“As close partners, we are excited to support one of our own and look forward to making the donation led by the Headboy (Chairman) at a date soon after our June Tee of Tees,” a statement from the club reads in part.

The club set a target of 5 million Uganda shillings to raise towards Airforce Primary School and requested the members to participate by purchasing a meal card at 5000 which gives the members both a halfway house snack and dinner with all proceeds going towards the school.

Uganda Sevens Rugby star Philip Wokorach has left A.S.B.C Vaucluse.

French publication Le Dauphine reports that Wokorach has joined another French side Rugby Club Orléans.

“After four seasons spent in Bédarrides/Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Nationale 2), Ugandan Philip Wokorach decided to join the Orléans club, which has just obtained its promotion to Nationale 2,” an excerpt from the publication reads in part.

Wokorach departed A.S.B.C Vaucluse, with whom he moved from the 4th Division (Fédérale 1) of the French rugby system to the third (Nationale 2) in four years since he joined the side in 2020.

RC Orléans, his new team, is also in the Nationale 2.

Wokorach is currently on national duty in the French city of Monaco with the Uganda Men’s 7s awaiting the World Rugby Sevens Repechage, an Olympic Qualifying pathway, this weekend.

The Round of 16 of the 2024 Stanbic Match Play Challenge took centre stage on Saturday, June 15 at the par-71 Entebbe Golf Club.

Over 130 players (including the subsidiary category) took part in this exciting tournament on a bright day.

The main challenge saw two all-ladies pairings advance to the quarterfinals slated for 6th July 2024.

The pairing of Lillian Koowe and Joyce Kisembo as well as Peace Kabasweka and Harriet Kitaka were among the successful pairs that progressed to the next level.

Koowe and Kisembo defeated Sam Kacungira and Vincent Katutsi 2/1 whilst Kabasweka and Kitaka had a walkover against Sean Kinsella and Dejan Stepanovic.

“We prepared well and shall continue to do so ahead of the remaining rounds for the main Stanbic match play challenge. There is good chemistry with my playing mate (Kisembo) and we shall continue to gel together” Koowe said.

A mixed pairing of William Esuma and Anne Abeja won 4/3 over Denis Kahindi and Sarah Nduhukire.

In the other matches lined up on the day, Timothy Mwandah and Suubi Kiwanuka did not show up for their match against Tony Ojok & Picole Lukyamuzi.

Michael Bironse and Kevin Ninyesiga lost 4/3 to Herbert Kamuntu and Stephen Ojambo while the pairing of Anthony Agaba and Yunus Baale fell on the 17^th hole to Walter Tukahiirwa and Lambert Tumwesigye.

The duo of Emmanuel Lwanga and Vincent Asiimwe won 4/3 over Joseph Bagabo and Apollo Segawa.

Tony Kisadha and Richard Mwami recorded a 2/1 victory over Moses Ssebugwawo and Charles Odere.

Round of 16 Results:

• Timothy Mwandah & Suubi Kiwanuka Vs Tony Ojok & Picole Lukyamuzi (W/O)
• Peace Kabasweka & Harriet Kitaka (W/O) Vs Sean Kinsella & Dejan Stepanovic
• Sam Kacungira & Vincent Katutsi Vs Lillian Koowe & Joyce Kisembo (2/1)
• William Esuma & Anne Abeja (4/3) Vs Denis Kahindi & Sarah Nduhukire
• Michael Bironse & Kevin Ninyesiga Vs Herbert Kamuntu & Stephen Ojambo (4/3)
• Anthony Agaba & Yunus Baale Vs Walter Tukahiirwa & Lambert Tumwesigye (1 UP)
• Emmanuel Lwanga & Vincent Asiimwe (4/3) Vs Joseph Bagabo & Apollo Segawa
• Moses Ssebugwawo & Charles Odere Vs Tony Kisadha & Richard Mwami (2/1)

2024 West Nile Open | Professionals

• Winner: Marvin Kibirige – 68, 68 (136)
• Runners up: Vincent Byamukama – 70, 67 (137)

Marvin Kibirige claimed the professional category of the 2024 West Nile Golf Open.

Namulonge Golf Club pro scored 6-under 136 over two rounds (36 holes) at the West Nile Golf Club in Arua.

Kibirige scored 3-under 68 on day one and replicated the same score on the subsequent 18 holes in round two.

Over the 36 holes, Kibirige recorded 11 birdies, 20 pars and 5 bogeys.

Entebbe-based Vincent Byamukama scored 137 in 36 holes to come second. Byamukama hit 4-under 67 on day two to better his par score (70) from the opening round.

Tadeo Rodel Gaita finished third with 142 gross and Ronald Otile (143) was fourth.

The duo of Abraham Ainamani and Emmanuel Ogwang each scored 144 to be tied for fifth.

David Kamulindwa (145), Saidi Mawa (146), Silver Opio (146) and Emmanuel Opio Onito (146) completed the top ten positions; all who made the cut.

In total, 22 professionals played in the open whose total cash kitty was Shs 13,000,000.

Meanwhile, Abdul Kakeeto won the men’s amateur event with 217 total gross ahead of Siraj Onzima (220) and Joseph Cwinya-ai (221).

Martha Babirye (231) took the ladies’ top gong, ahead of Maron Kyomugisha (238) and Resty Nalutaaya (254).

Cricket Cranes suffered a nine-wicket loss at the hands of New Zealand at the ICC T20 World Cup at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium on Saturday.

Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Rachin Ravindra spearheaded New Zealand’s bowling attack, dismissing Uganda for 40 runs in 18.4 overs.

Uganda’s batting again folded under the pressure, with only Kenneth Waiswa (11) managing to reach double figures. Fred Achelam, playing his first game at the tournament, contributed 9 runs.

Simon Ssesazi, Robinson Obuya, and Alpesh Ramjani didn’t trouble the scorers.

Southee picked 3 wickets for 4 runs, Boult picked 2 wickets for runs while Ravindra picked 2 wickets for 9 runs.

New Zealand’s chase was easy and done inside the power play with opener Devon Conway knocking 22 runs off 15 balls.

Riazat Ali Shah claimed the sole wicket for Uganda, trapping Finn Allen (9) down the leg side to be caught behind by Achelam.

Uganda’s Junior Gazelles (Girls) and Junior Silverbacks (Boys) qualified for the 2024 FIBA U18 African Championships that will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Ugandans qualified in their respective categories by winning the finals of the FIBA Zone V U18 Championship played at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.

Both teams faced Rwanda in the finals, with the Junior Gazelles picking a one-sided 82-52 victory while the Junior Silverbacks nicked a slim 69-66 win.

Tournament top scorer Resty Nanangwe led the Junior Gazelles with a game-high 21 points with support coming in from Shiprah Kiranda who racked up a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Bridgette Nibishaka and Rebecca Cyuzuzo top-scored for Rwanda with 13 and 12 points respectively.

Nail-biting Boy’s Final

While Uganda had previously beaten Rwanda 78-49 at the group stage as well as the other opponents Kenya and Tanzania, the final was tough.

Uganda led 19-17 after the first quarter but were behind 34-29 at halftime. The Junior Silverbacks however recovered and entered the final quarter with a slender one-point lead (51-50).

Rwanda led by 4 points midway through the last quarter before Uganda rallied back for the win mainly throough Tejan Joel Rugette who stepped up down the stretch.

Rugette finished with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists which got him the tournament MVP honours.

Peter Sserunjogi (15) Gideon Ekukwai (14) and Edrine Ekau (13) also scored in double digits for Uganda.