The 2025 National Rally Championship got underway today in the western district of Mbarara with thirty-seven crews in the fray.

The opening leg of Lumala @60 Mama @90 Birthday Rally was won by Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba. The Moil Rally crew won stage one with a time of 7 minutes and 27.9 seconds.

Mafu Mafu’s Ponsiano Lwaakataka and Paul Masazi recorded the second-best time (7:44.6) while Ronald Ssebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa posted 7:45.6 for third place.

Edward Kirumira leads the two-wheel category after posting a time of 8:53.3 followed by Amiri Kavuma who raced to a time of 9:20.0. In third place of the 2WD is Julius Ssemamba who posted 9:40.4.

The Clubman Rally Championship drives have so far covered two stages. Kevin Bebeto and Walter Kibabde are tied for first place with a time of 13:13.5.

The two-day event that climaxes tomorrow will cover a total competitive distance of 140.64 kilometres.

KCCA Football Club has advanced to the Satbic Uganda Cup Round of 32 after beating 403 Brigade 2-0 at St. Daniel Comboni SS Grounds, Napak

A first-half brace from Arafat Usama saw the Kasasiro through to the next round of the tournament they have won ten times.

Abdalla Mubiru’s charges started strong with the first chance of the game falling to Ettiene Katenga whose effort was palmed away after being set up by Derrick Nsibambi.

Barely ten minutes later, Nsibambi set up Usama for the opener, a curling effort that put KCCA in control of proceedings.

Usama turned provider returning the favour to Nsibambi but the forward’s header rattled the frame as the full-strength KCCA continued to pose all sorts of trouble for the hosts.

In the 27th minute, Usama completed his brace with a shot from the edge of the area as KCCA took a 2-0 lead to the break.

After the recess, substitute Yian Gatbel who was lively all afternoon after replacing Katenga had a chance to make it three but his effort rattled the woodwork just after the hour mark.

Nsibambi had a goal disallowed for offside.

In the other games played today, Rwenzori Lions eliminated Fufa Big League side Busoga United after a 2-1 win. Arafat Bwambale scored a brace for the hosts while Nicholas Mutenza netted the consolation for Busoga.

• FUBA Division One | Final Playoffs
• Nkumba Lady Marines 63-53 Our Savior Banyabo (1-0)
• Rezlife Saints 78-82 Victoria University (0-1)

Victory University Crocs registered an 82-78 victory over Rezlife Saints in game one of the FUBA Division One Playoff Finals at Lugogo Indoor Stadium on Wednesday night.

The clash was preceded by the women’s series opener the Nkumba Lady Marines dominated against Our Savior Banyabo.

The men’s game was electric, with Rezlife Saints taking the opening quarter 21-17 but Victoria University bounced back in the second quarter scoring 20 points while holding the Saints to 13.

On return from the locker rooms, it was back and forth with both offenses being very explosively productive. Rezlife edged the quarter 28-26 but Victoria University had a 2-point (63-61) lead.

In the final quarter of the game, the Victoria Crocs outmuscled the Saints 19-17 and ultimately registered a four-point (82-78) win.

Joseph Kumbai Ayol led Victoria University with a double-double of 19 points and 18 rebounds, Cyrus Wobusobozi added 14 points and Marier Nyong added 12 points.

Gideon Kasasa led the Saints with 15 points, Acinbaai Takpinyi Apugi had 12 points, Leonardo Gilabi contributed 11 and Richard Anyunva pulled down 11 rebounds in a losing effort.

The two teams will meet again in Game 2 on Friday, January 24 at YMCA.

Uganda’s squad for the second round of the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B scheduled for February 4-16 in Hong Kong China has been named.

Two changes have been made to the team that played the first leg hosted in Kampala and Entebbe with Pascal Murungi and Brian Masaba making way for spinner Joseph Baguma and wicketkeeper Cyrus Kakuru.

Kakuru is a backup keeper for Fred Achellam but could be used as a batter on this particular tour while Joseph Baguma will be the fourth spinner in the side offering backup to Henry Ssenyondo, Alpesh Ramjani and Frank Nsubuga.

Uganda is at the top of the six-team log with nine points just two ahead of Italy and Hong Kong ahead of this decisive leg.

If the Kampala leg is anything to go by, only Robinson Obuya had a permanent place at the top of the order and it remains to be seen with whom he will open the batting for Cricket Cranes.

Kenneth Waiswa was decent in Kampala while pacers Juma Miyagi and Cosmas Kyewuta had to swap places for some games while Riazat Ali Shah was outstanding with the bat.

The Cricket Cranes’ middle order of Dinesh Nakrani and Alpesh Ramjani made very significant contributions with the bat after early collapses.

Ssenyondo and Ramjani combined for over 20 wickets in the Kampala leg and they will still be valuable with the ball for the Cricket Cranes on the slow Asian wickets.

Cricket Cranes Squad: Riazat Ali Shah (Captain), Dinesh Nakrani, Alpesh Ramjani, Raghav Dhawan, Juma Miyagi, Cosmas Kyewuta, Kenneth Waiswa, Joseph Baguma, Cyrus Kakuru, Fred Achellam, Henry Ssenyondo, Frank Nsubuga, Shrideep Mangela, Robinson Obuya.

Uganda’s Fixtures:

• Uganda vs. Bahrain – 7th February
• Singapore vs. Uganda – 10th February
• Uganda vs. Italy – 12th February
• Uganda vs. Hong Kong – 13th February
• ⁠Uganda vs. Tanzania – 15th February

New York Red Bulls II have signed Uganda Cranes midfielder Steven Sserwadda to a two-year MLS NEXT Pro contract that runs until the end of the 2026 season.

“We are happy to have Steven [Sserwadda] back with the squad,” said Head Coach Ibrahim Sekagya as quoted by the club website.“He is a hardworking midfielder, who will be valuable in our system and will bring great experience to the team.”

Sserwadda has played three seasons with Red Bulls II, appearing in 41 matches, scoring four goals and tallying two assists. He scored his first career MLS NEXT Pro goal against Philadelphia Union II on April 21, 2024 and tallied his first career MLS NEXT Pro assist against Carolina Core FC on September 1, 2024. The midfielder debuted with the club in a USL Championship match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on October 16, 2021.

Sserwadda has appeared in two matches with the New York Red Bulls logging 27 minutes. He made his Major League Soccer debut against Atlanta United FC on June 30 while on a short-term agreement from Red Bulls II.

Sserwadda has made four appearances with the Uganda Cranes. He made his senior national team debut on March 25, 2022 against Tajikistan. The midfielder previously featured for the country at the U-20 and U-23 level, participating in the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations leading Uganda to a second-place finish while scoring two goals.

Before moving to New York, the midfielder played for KCCA FC. He’s featured for both the first team and academy level for the club. He won the Ugandan Premier League, Uganda Cup, and CECAFA Clubs Cup while with the side.

The first weekend of MTN Busoga Cycling Championship qualifiers saw sixteen cyclists qualify for the next month’s grand finale.

Four chiefdoms of Luuka, Bulamogi, Bunhole-Bunhanumba and Bukhooli held their races with four cyclists (2 from each category) advancing to the grande finale scheduled for February 15.

Awards & Cash Bonanza at Grande Finale

The winners of each category at the grand finale will ride home brand-new motorcycles.

First runners-up will pocket two million (2,000,000) each, second runners-up will smile to one million (1,000,000) individually.

 Fourth-place finishers will earn five hundred thousand shillings (500,000), while those who will finish in fifth place in every category will get three hundred thousand shillings (300,000).

Cyclists who complete the race but finish outside the top five positions will be appreciated with a token of fifty thousand shillings (50,000) each.

MTN Busoga Cycling Championship began in 2022.  Bukooli won the Tippa category while Butembe reigned supreme in the Mountain Sport Bike category.

Luuka Chiefdom

Tippa

1. Musitwa Andrew (Q)
2. Mulondo Rashid (Q)
3. Basalirwa Abbasa
4. Kamadha Nyiro
5. Bogere Andrew

Mountain Sports Bike

1. Magemeso Mensuramu (Q)
2. Kiwanuka Musirimu (Q)
3. Bikumbi Geofrey
4. Awuye Paul
5. Young Lawrence

Bulamogi Chiefdom

Tippa

1. Kisambira Yazid (Q)
2. Naikamba Daniel (Q)
3. Basalirwa Asumani
4. Magala Jamiru
5. Kawuba Sadam

Mountain Sports Bike

• Mukisa Amos (Q)
• Baluwa Benard (Q)
• Oloyi Paul

Bunhole-Bunhanumba Chiefdom

Tippa

1. Damba Bashir (Q)
2. Waiswa Ivan (Q)
3. Kibanda Ronald
4. Kisuyi Muzamiru

Mountain Sports Bike

1. Lukakamwa Nelson (Q)
2. Masaba Ben (Q)
3. Musa Panadol
4. Tegika Hassan

Bukooli Chiefdom

Tippa

1. Luganda Tifu (Q)
2. Malinzi Sam (Q)
3. Igogo Jolly
4. Byanguwa Banuli

Mountain Sport Bikes

1. Mwondha Asumani (Q)
2. Bogere Tanansi (Q)
3. Maganda Dauda

Remaining Qualifiers

• January 25: Busiki & Bunha
• January 26: Bugabula & Bukono
• February 1: Kigulu & Bugweri
• February 2: Butembe
• Grand Finale: February 15, 2025

MTN Monthly Tee (January 2025)

• Overall winner: Peace Hellen (Handicap 29) – 64
• Ladies winner: Maxi Byenkya (Handicap 19) – 69 countback
• Seniors’ winner (55 years +): Steven Kitamirike (Handicap 27) – 71 countback
• Guest winner: Gordon Obitre Gama (Handicap 20) – 69
• Group A winner men: Andrew Baguma (Handicap 6) – 70
• Group B winner men: Daniel Opwonya (Handicap 17) – 69
• Group C winner men: Dejan Stepanovic (Handicap 20) – 68

The MTN Monthly Tee returned at the par-71 Entebbe Golf Club with the first tournament of 2025 taking centre stage on Saturday, January 18.

Over 120 golfers took the course including the Deputy Speaker for the Parliament of Uganda Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa who shared his target for the golf season.

“Such tournaments as the MTN Monthly Tee are beneficial to me, first of all for health benefits. I also look forward to lowering my handicap from 20 downwards,” Rt. Hon. Tayebwa said.

By the close of the day, Peace Hellen, playing off handicap 29, emerged as the overall winner after returning to the clubhouse with a nett score of 64.

Maxi Byenkya, playing off handicap 19, was the ladies’ winner with 69 nett on countback.

The seniors (55 years +) cluster was claimed by Steven Kitamirike (Handicap 27) with 71 on countback.

Gordon Obitre Gama (Handicap 20) was the guest top performer with 69 nett.

Other Top Performers

Andrew Baguma (Handicap 6) won the Men’s Group A with 70 ahead of Robbins Mwehaire (71).

Daniel Opwonya (Handicap 17) won Group B with 69 nett, a shot better than Stephen Paul Ojambo (70 nett, countback).

Dejan Stepanovic (Handicap 20) claimed Group C with 68 nett ahead of John Ssebuliba (70, countback).

Jacob Byamukama, the club chairman, anticipates a great golfing year with several events lined up at the historic event.

“Happy New Year to you all. 2025 is here and we expect a great golfing year at Entebbe year. I salute all the media, members, sponsors, partners and the media for the collective duty to see Entebbe Club grow through leaps and bounds,” Byamukama stated.

The next MTN Monthly Tee will take place on Saturday, February 15.

Uganda’s long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo is set to make his marathon debut at the 2025 London Marathon in April.

The organisers of the World Athletics Platinum Label road race have confirmed the World Cross Country Champion will be part of the elite field that will trail the streets of London on Sunday, April 27.

The men’s elite list also includes Kenyans Eliud Kipchoge, Sabastian Sawe, Timothy Kiplagat, and Alexander Mutiso Munyao as well as Ethiopians Milkesa Mengesha and Tamirat Tola.

“This is quite simply the greatest elite field in the history of the London Marathon,” said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events as quoted by World Athletics.

As one of Uganda’s most celebrated athletes, the 42km race will mark an exciting new chapter in his already illustrious career for the 24-year-old.

Kiplimo was among the five nominees for the World Athletics Out-of-Stadium Athlete of the Year award last year for his accomplishments across various terrains and distances which makes him a contender in any race he enters.

Phiona Nabbumba has signed with Danish club FC Midtjylland Kvindefodbold.

The 24-year-old Ugandan midfielder joins from the Gjensidige Kvindeliga.

“We are pleased to add Phiona Nabbumba to our talented and strong squad, as Phiona brings valuable experience from the Gjensidige Women’s League and international matches for Uganda,” said sports director, Anders Madsen. “Phiona has FCM DNA; she is willing to run, aggressive, strong in her positioning and her duelling game,” he added.

Nabbumba says that she has some experience to contribute.

“My time in the league has taught me the importance of teamwork, tactical play and having to adapt. I am excited to contribute my experience to FC Midtjylland and help the team achieve success.”

Sports director Madsen adds: “Phiona plays in central midfield and will help our team become even more compact, stronger in our pressure and ensure a good balance in transitions against us, says the sports director.”

FC Midtjylland’s clear goal is to create a team that plays at the top of Danish football, and with Nabbumba’s skills, the goal is for her to make the team even more competitive in a crucial spring to help the team secure promotion.

“I am delighted to be joining FC Midtjylland. The club’s commitment to women’s football and its reputation for excellence align with my own values ​​and ambitions. I look forward to becoming part of a talented team and contributing to the club’s growth and success.

“My ambition as a footballer is to become one of the best players in the world. I strive to improve, learn from my experiences and push myself to new heights. I am excited to see where my journey takes me and I am grateful for the opportunity to become part of FC Midtjylland.”

Nabbumba previously played for Ugandan sides Ajax Queens and She Corporate FC before joining B93.

Uganda’s U17 Women’s National Team (Teen Cranes) performed breathtakingly, beating Namibia 10-0 in the first leg of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

In the opening round clash played at Nakivubo Stadium, Uganda’s captain Agnes Nabukenya was the star of the show, netting six goals in the one-sided encounter.

Martha Babirye, Rinah Ariho (brace), Joan Kizza Namulindwa, and substitute Isabella Blick Kabarozi completed the rout.

Nabukenya set the tone early, finding the back of the net inside six minutes with a clinical close-range finish.

Babirye doubled the lead five minutes later before Nabukenya completed her hat-trick with a couple of goals in quick succession. She added another before halftime, and Ariho made it 6-0 just before the break.

Namulindwa extended the lead to 7-0 twenty minutes into the second half before Nabukenya struck again to take her tally for the day to six goals.

Blick, who came on as a substitute, rounded off the scoring in the 80th minute with a composed finish after her header was kept out.

The return leg is scheduled for Sunday, January 19 at the same venue with the winner on aggregate to face Kenya in the second qualification phase.