NBL Results | Wednesday, June 19

• W: KCCA Leopards 72-50 Miracle Ravens
• M: KCCA Panthers 90-64 Ndejje Angels

KCCA Leopards registered a 72-50 victory against Miracle Ravens in the National Basketball League at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Wednesday evening.

It was a sweet revenge for KCCA Leopards who earlier lost to Miracle Ravens in the first round of the ongoing campaign.

The Leopards opened up a nine-point lead (21-12) at the end of the first stanza before it was reduced to eight points (39-31) at the end of the second stanza.

Margaret Bagaala converted a long jump shot beyond the arc to conclude the second block as the Leopards went into the break with a visible lead.

Coming from the locker room, the Leopards continued with their dominance widening the lead to 18 points (56-41) as Miracle Ravens struggled to match the game’s intensity.

In the final block of the game, Miracle Ravens were limited to only nine points as KCCA Leopards registered a 22-point victory on the day.

Maureen Amoding led the Leopards’ scoring chart with 13 points. Perus Nyamwege and Susan Rebecca Aanyu also dropped 12 and 10 points though the latter added 13 rebounds.

On the other hand, Brenda Alyano was the only Miracle Ravens’ player scoring double digits as she dropped 13 points though Winifred Akello was also influential in the paint pulling down 17 rebounds.

It was the 15^th victory for the Leopards in 19 games while Miracle Ravens suffered their 11^th loss in 21 games played thus far.

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).

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.

FIBA Afro Basket Qualifiers | Semifinal Results

• BOYS: Tanzania 41-104 Uganda
• GIRLS: Uganda 100-56 Tanzania

Uganda Junior Silverbacks and Gazelles will return to action today as they seek to seal the ticket to the upcoming FIBA U18 Africa Championship.

The long-awaited tournament will be tipping off in August this year in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Both teams have a chance to clinch tickets to the continental showpiece after qualifying for the finals of the ongoing FIBA U18 Zone V Championship at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.

To reach the final, the Junior Silverbacks registered a well-deserved 104-41 victory against Tanzania in a thrilling encounter that was played on Thursday evening.

Uganda opened a 12-point lead at the end of the first quarter (23-11) before they widened it to 37 points (56-19) at the break.

Coming from the locker rooms, the boys took the second gear proving that they were way better than their opponent. At the end of the third quarter, Uganda was leading the game by 53 points.

At the end of the four quarters, the Junior Silverbacks smiled away from the one-sided game with a 63-point victory.

It was a fruitful day as five players scored a double digit; Brighton Galiwango (16), Mukisa Nkugwa (14), Peter Sserunjogi (13), Tejan Joel Rugette (10) and Aaron Victor Makmot (10).

On the side of the ladies, Uganda secured Tanzania a 100-56 victory in yet another thrilling showpiece.

In the final, both teams will lock horns with neighbours Rwanda and a victory will give each side a direct ticket to the FIBA U18 Africa Championship.

Uganda National U18 Basketball Teams – Junior Gazelles and Junior Silverbacks – continued to shine on Matchday 2 of the FIBA Africa Zone V U18 Qualifiers.

The two teams registered big wins against Kenya and Rwanda, remaining unbeaten in the ongoing tournament at the MTN Arena in Lugogo.

Junior Gazelles beat Kenya 97-47 in a one-sided game.

As was the case against Rwanda, the Junior Gazelles pressed their Kenyan counterparts throughout the game to get easy points as they forced 71 turnovers.

Resty Nanangwe scored 23 points, picked 7 rebounds and made 5 assists in 15 minutes to lead Uganda. Christine Namyalo and Modesta Anyango contributed 19 points apiece and Angella Auma chipped in with 11.

In the boys’ game, the Junior Silverbacks overcame a slow start to beat Rwanda 78-49.

Uganda trailed 15-11 after the first quarter but started to get into their tracks in the second quarter and followed into the third while keeping it tidy on the defensive end.

The side led by as many as 38 points in the third quarter which they dominated 31-7.

Kagaba Musiima (15), Andrew Mukisa Nkugwa (14), Edrine Ekau (11) and Gideon Ekakwai (10) all scored in double digits for Uganda.

Cricket Cranes locked horns with two-time World Champions West Indies for the first time in any T20i at the World Cup in the wee hours of June 9 at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

West Indies won the toss and chose to bat setting a formidable target of 173 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their 20 overs.

Johnson Charles led the charge with 44 runs supported by Andre Russell’s unbeaten 30.

Uganda faced an uphill battle against the formidable West Indies bowling attack. Left-arm orthodox spinner Akeal Hosein wreaked havoc for Uganda with his spellbinding bowling performance. 

With an incisive haul of 5 wickets for 11 runs, Hosein led the charge as Uganda struggles for runs, ultimately being bowled out for a 39 runs in 12 overs.

“Tough day for us. It is a very steep learning curve. Just shows the difference in class. We were outplayed (in all departments) but we must take the learnings from it: as a batting unit, what we can do better to keep us in the game,” Brian Masaba, Uganda Captain said.

Despite the tough debut for Uganda, the match served as a valuable learning experience for the team, in so many ways.

Match Summary

• Uganda 80/8
• Zimbabwe 78/9 
• Uganda by 2 runs 

The final of the 10th edition of the Kwibuka Cricket Tournament lived up to the hype with the game going down to the last ball.

Victoria Pearls won the toss and elected to bat but their top order was cleaned up cheaply, leaving them at 6/3.

Proscovia Alako (24) and Rita Musamali (15) did some cleaning job but Uganda could only finish on 80/8 in their 20 overs.

In the run chase, Uganda struck early to dismiss Kelis Ndlovu but Captain Chiydeza Dhururu (22) and Loryn Phiri (27) combined to swing the game in Zimbabwe’s favour.

However, when the two set batters were dismissed in quick succession, the Victoria Pearls put the squeeze on Zimbabwe’s back ender.

Janet Mbabazi (5/10) and Consy Aweko (2/17) bowled mean spells to leave 8 runs required for the win in the final over.

Youngster Lorna Anyait was given the defended the 8 runs but it was not without drama.