As the National Rugby Sevens Series takes another two-week break before returning with Mbarara 7s scheduled for 28-29 September, Avengers and Heathens are odds on to win titles.

The two sides won the Kyabazinga 7s played over the weekend at the Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe to go top of the women’s and men’s standings.

Heathens registered a 12-7 win over Walukuba in a sudden-death final, marking their second consecutive victory in the National Rugby 7s series following success in Gulu.

Reuben Kagwiasagy scored for Walukuba with Gift Wokorach converting for a 7-0 lead at halftime.

However, Nobert Okeny scored at the stroke of regulation time with Aaron Ofworwoth converting to send the game into extra time. Okeny went on to score the circuit-winning try.

In the women’s final, the Avengers proved dominant with a one-sided 35-00 victory over the Thunderbirds.

Maimuna Nasozi led Avengers’ attack, scoring two tries while skipper Peace Lekuru and Christine Akello also crossed the white chalk.

It was the third circuit claimed by Avengers this season having won in Gulu and Kyadondo.

The International Cricket Council has revealed the two groups ahead of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier due in Rwanda later this month.

The tournament which was initially scheduled to take place last month was postponed due to changes in qualification format will now run from 22-29 September in Kigali, Rwanda.

Uganda has been pitted in Group A alongside Namibia, and their East African neighbours Rwanda and Kenya.

Rwanda made history by qualifying for their first-ever ICC World Cup event in 2022 when they emerged as regional winners in Botswana.

Kenya secured their place in this qualifier after finishing as losing finalists to Malawi in the pre-qualifier (Division 2) a couple of weeks ago.

Malawi is placed in Group B alongside Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Nigeria.

The Baby Victoria Pearls will begin their campaign on Sunday, 22nd September against group favourites Namibia at the Gahanga 2 Oval before taking on Kenya the next day at the IPRC Stadium.

They will then take an off day before their final group game on 25th September against Rwanda.

City Oilers have once again etched their names into Ugandan basketball history, clinching their 10th consecutive championship title.

This dominant feat solidifies their status as the most successful team in the country’s basketball landscape.

In the decisive game of the best-of-seven series, the Oilers defeated the KIU Titans 64-51, completing a clean sweep.

Under the guidance of coach Andrew Tendo, the team overcame numerous challenges to secure this historic victory.

The Oilers faced early adversity when head coach Mande Juruni departed for Rwanda’s Kepler.

Additionally, key players like Jimmy Enabu, Tonny Drilleba, and James Okello left the team, allowing rivals to challenge their dominance.

Further setbacks included the suspension of Edrine Walujjo and an injury to Maker Maker during the playoffs.

However, the addition of American guard Petty Parrish provided a much-needed boost to the team’s scoring power.

Parrish played a pivotal role in the Oilers’ victories over both the UCU Canons in the semifinals and the KIU Titans in the finals.

In the championship-clinching game, Parrish led the Oilers with 21 points, while Ivan Muhwezi and Lual contributed 11 points each.

Edgar Munaba and Mpiya Juf were the top scorers for the Titans with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

This marks the third time the Oilers have defeated the KIU Titans in the championship series, having previously won in 2018, 2023, and now 2024.

Season Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Titus Lual
• Best Five: Joel ‘Banza’ Lokoji, Kasereka Tembo, Peter Cheng, Titus Lual, Pauti Ozias Kikomba
• Best Defensive Player: Titus Lual
• Best Three-Point Shooter: Tembo Kasereka
• Top Scorer: Peter Cheng
• Top Rebounder: Pautis Ozias Kikomba

The City Oilers’ continued success is a testament to their exceptional talent, coaching, and unwavering determination.

Their dominance in Ugandan basketball is a source of pride for fans and a benchmark for aspiring teams.

• Results: UCU Lady Canons 53-60 JKL Lady Dolphins

JKL Lady Dolphins levelled the series 2-2 in game four of the final in the National Basketball League at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Wednesday evening.

The Lady Dolphins secured a well-deserved 60-53 victory in a closely contested game in front of a loud crowd.

Evelyn Nakiyingi’s layup created a (20-8) 12-point lead for the JKL Lady Dolphins ahead of the UCU Lady Canons at the end of the first stanza.

Flavia Oketcho’s long shot beyond the arc helped the Lady Dolphins go into the long break with a nine-point (33-24) lead.

Despite the fight by the Mukono-based side in the second half, the reigning champion sailed away with a seven-point victory.

Jane Asinde led the the Lady Dolphins’ scoring chart with an amazing double-double dropping 16 points and pulling down 14 rebounds.

In the same breath, Brenda Ekone added 10 points to the Lady Dolphins’ scoring chart.

Shillah Lamunu and Shakirah Nanvubya scored 14 points each before the latter pulled down 10 rebounds for the Canons.

Uganda U18 Boys’ National Basketball Team, Junior Silverbacks, start the 2024 FIBA U18 Afrobasket campaign against Angola in the Group B encounter on Wednesday.

It’s the Junior Silverbacks’ third appearance at the AfroBasket following their debut in 2016 in Kigali – Rwanda, and in 2018 in Bamako, Mali, where they settled for 9th and 10th, respectively.

In Angola, a four-time champion and the team with the most appearances in the tournament’s history, Uganda faces a stern test but their performance in the qualifiers gives optimism even with defending champions Egypt and record seven-time winners Nigeria in the same group.

The Junior Silverbacks earned their spot in this tournament by winning the FIBA U18 Zone V Championship earlier this year.

Uganda has some impressive talent including Joel Rugette, who was instrumental in their Zone V triumph, averaging 10 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. Rugette is not new to continental events, having averaged 27 points at the U16 Afrobasket in Tunisia last year.

The squad features many of the players who shone in the Zone V Championship, including Edrine Ekau, Mukisa Nkugwa, Aaron Victor Makmot, Brighton Galiwango, and Peter Sserunjogi.

Uganda faced Angola at the 2016 FIBA U18 Afrobasket, where they suffered a heavy 59-105 defeat.

Groups

• Group A: Mali, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Senegal.
• Group B: Egypt, Angola, Angola, Nigeria.
• Group C: South Africa, Morocco, Zambia, Rwanda.

Joseph Reagan Akena claimed the 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Amateurs Open played at the lakeside course of Entebbe Club.

The 19-year-old Lugazi Hills and Country Club member amassed a gross total of 287. He opened with an identical 2-over 73 score in the first two rounds, playing a course level 71 on the third day to take the overall leaderboard and a 1-under-70 score on the final day.

Akena smiled to victory with a successful half-meter putt on the 18^th hole before hundreds of fans after his closest challenger Joseph Cwinya-ai had fumbled a one-meter putt.

“I am excited to win the Open. It comes as a surprise since my objective was initially a top-three finish. As the tournament grew, I believed in myself and I am glad to be the champion,” Akena said after receiving the trophy.

During the 72-hole action, Akena played a total of 12 birdies, 45 pars and 15 bogeys.

The student at Juliana High School in Lugazi dedicated this victory to his parents, coaches, fellow players, and members at Lugazi Hills and Country Club.

“It has been a tough week. When I came here (Entebbe), I knew I would be among the top cream of players and I worked hard for the trophy that I dedicate to my parents, coaches, fellow players, and members at Lugazi. I will return to school to complete my A-Level as I also continue to play golf,” he added.

Joseph Cwinya-ai, the 2022 winner, took the runners-up slot with 288 gross in 4 rounds.

Titus Okwong finished third with 291 with Ibrahim Ssemakula (297) and Michael Tumusiime (298) completing the top 5.

The 2024 Uganda Amateur Golf Open Championship entered round two on Thursday, August 29 and by the end of the day, Joseph Cwinyaai ascended to the top of the leaderboard.

Cwinyaai returned to the clubhouse with a course 2-over 73 to take his gross total to 145 after two rounds. He registered an eagle, 4 birdies, 6 pars and as many bogeys as well as a double bogey on hole Hole17.

Cwinyaai who played a 1-over 72 during the opening round yesterday started the second round with three straight birdies before bogeying the next two. He however made amends with an eagle on Hole 7 and was on track the rest of the way until the second last hole.

Second-placed Joseph Reagan Akena also played 73 to follow up a similar score from round one.

Abdul Kakeeto struggled on Day Two playing a 7-over 78 after a very good first round where he shot 1-under 70.

Fourth on the leaderboard is Michael Tumusiime who has been consistent in the opening two rounds with 74 in each round.

Going into the third round, Cwinyaai, Akena, Kakeeto and Tumusiime will play in the pressure group that tees off at 1:10 am.

NBL Finals | Result

• City Oilers 70-61 KIU Titans

The defending champions, City Oilers, secured a 70-61 victory over KIU Titans in Game One of the National Basketball League Finals on Wednesday evening.

The win gives the City Oilers a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series.

The reigning champions dominated the first period, building a three-point (19-16) lead.

The Oilers further asserted their foot into the game as they created an eight-point (37-29) lead going into the long break.

However, KIU Titans staged a comeback in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to just one point (51-50).

Ultimately, the Oilers’ experience and consistent scoring proved too much for the Titans as secured a nine-point victory.

Parrish Petty led the way for the Oilers with 20 points, while Malual Dier and Fayed Baale added 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Titus Lual grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds.

On the Titans’ side, Peter Obleng scored 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Oilers’ advantage.

The series now shifts to Lugogo Indoor Arena for Game Two on Friday, August 30.

UCU Lady Canons took charge of the National Basketball League Playoffs finals after defeating defending champions JKL Lady Dolphins 71-66 in a thrilling Game 1 encounter at Lugogo.

The Lady Canons had a quick start establishing a 15-7 lead by the end of the scrappy first quarter. Their momentum carried into the subsequent quarter and the university side was up 40-23 at halftime.

However, the Lady Dolphins fought back in the third quarter, reducing the deficit to just eight points.

JKL kept chipping away in the fourth quarter and with just under three minutes left in the final quarter, Rita Imanishimwe hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 60.

In the tense fourth quarter, Bridget Aber (UCU) and Jane Asinde fouled out of the game.

UCU’s captain Shakirah Nanvubya was instrumental, leading all scorers with 21 points. Tracy Namugosa and Shilla Lamunu also made significant contributions with double-digit scores of 17 and 11 points, respectively.

Asinde, despite fouling out, led JKL Lady Dolphins with 17 points, followed by Ekone Brenda with 12, while Hope Akello and Imanishimwe both added 11 points.

JKL will be looking to bounce back in Game 2 on Friday.

KIU Titans advanced to the finals of the National Basketball League after defeating Namuwongo Blazers 81-78 in Game 5 on Sunday night at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

The Blazers started the game hot with Peter Cheng hitting a couple of 3-pointers but the Titans recovered well to end the first quarter with the game tied at 20-all.

KIU had a hot start to the second quarter assuming a 9-point lead before Blazers rallied back to trail by 3 points (41-38) heading into the halftime break.

The Kasanga-based side continued leading the way with Namuwongo playing catch up and the sides could not be separated at the end of the fourth quarter sending the game into overtime.

KIU Titans looked the most mentally prepared for the extra five minutes with Edgar Munaba finding room to hammer down a dunk that all but sealed their place in the finals.

Peter Obleng who has shone throughout the series finished with a game-high 22 points, Munaba added 20 points and pulled down 17 rebounds, Joel Lukoji contributed 14 points and Kasereka Tembo chipped in with 12.

On the other hand, Innocent Ochera netted a team-high 19 points, Cheng scored 18 and skipper Paul Odong contributed 11 points while Michael Makiadi had a 13-point and 18-rebound double-double.

KIU Titans will face City Oilers in a repeat of last year’s finals. Game 1 will be played on Wednesday night.