Our Savior registered their second win of the season in as many games after beating Nam Blazers 75-65 on Sunday at the MTN Arena in Lugogo.

They, however, needed to overcome a 17-point deficit to beat a side that was in the finals a couple of seasons ago and also regarded as contenders this term.

The Blazers were in charge after the first quarter and had a massive 17-point lead at halftime as they excelled offensively both in transition and in the halfcourt.

However, in the third quarter, Our Savior had a different approach to the game, especially on defense which set them up for good offensive possession cutting the deficit to zero by the end of the third quarter.

Our Savior carried the momentum into the fourth quarter to register victory led by Joseph Wacha and Moses Mugisha who scored 17 points apiece.

In the other men’s game played, JKL Dolphins beat KCCA Pathers 69-64.

Arthur Wanyoto (17), Martin Ouma (12) and Austin Odhiambo (10) led the Dolphins while Ceasar Kizito scored a game-high 18 points on his debut for KCCA.

Victoria Cup 2023:

31^st January 2024 – Official practice round & flag raising ceremony
1^st – 3^rd February 2024 – Playing days
3^rd February 2024 – Closing Ceremony
Venue: Uganda Golf Club, Kampala

Uganda’s National Golf Team head coach Flavia Namakula named the final team of 10 players set to battle Kenya in the 2023 Victoria Cup at Uganda Golf Club, Kampala.

This followed a gruelling epoch of qualifiers where each squad member played 72 holes, carrying their golf kit.

The final team has a mixture of senior and junior players who sportingly qualified after the qualifiers at the Uganda Golf Club, Kitante.

The players that made the team include; Joseph Reagan Akena, Ibrahim Bagalana, Amon Bwambale, Joseph Cwinya-ai, Joseph Kasozi, John Musimenta, Titus Okwong, Andrew Ssekibejja, Ibrahim Ssemakula and Elton Thembo.

About the Victoria Cup:

The Victoria Cup is an annual golf tournament between the national teams of Uganda and Kenya.

In 2022, the tournament returned after a two-year absence at Limuru Country Club in Nairobi, Kenya with Kenya winning the tournament.

The 2023 edition was not held after a request from Kenya to postpone the event.

Uganda National Golf Team:

Players: Joseph Reagan Akena, Ibrahim Bagalana, Amon Bwambale, Joseph Cwinya-ai, Joseph Kasozi, John Musimenta, Titus Okwong, Andrew Ssekibejja, Ibrahim Ssemakula and Elton Thembo

Head coach: Flavia Namakula

Team manager: Sam Kacungira

The 2024 MTN Monthly Tee officially got underway with the January edition at the par-71 lakeside Entebbe Golf Club.

A massive field of 173 golfers braced the friendly sunny weather conditions for the medal play event on Saturday, 20th January.

By the close of business of the one-day event, handicap 19 golfer Herbert Opolot emerged as the overall winner with a nett score of 65.

“I had a perfect round that I enjoyed. I am happy for the victory” Opolot said of his win at the 19^th hole.

Meanwhile, Next Media Chief Executive Officer Kin Karisa took charge of the men’s Group A pool with 75 nett. Karisa was a stroke better than Paul Habyarimana.

Kirarira Twijukye toped Group B (68 nett) and Mathias Zzungu was runners up with 69 nett.

In Group C, Louis Tumukunde was best with 66 nett, a stroke better than Entebbe Club chairperson Jacob Byamukama.

In the seniors’ category (55 years and above), Etienne Marin was outstanding with 74 nett while Jovia Tugume won the ladies cluster with 71 nett ahead of Ruth Mugisha (73 nett).

Obiga Omia (69 nett) a member of the West Nile Golf Club was the outstanding guest.

Hole-in-one

James Joash Okema hit a hole-in-one on the par-3 hole 12.

Okema, a handicap 22 golfer, used a Titleist 2 black Pro V ball with an 8 Iron club to hit the ace as witnessed by Michael Ssekadde, Timothy Okanya and Timothy Lwanga.

January 2024 MTN Monthly Tee

Overall Winner: Herbert Opolot – 65 Nett

Group A:

Winner: Kin Karisa – 75 Nett
Runners up: Paul Habyarimana – 76 Nett

Group B:

Winner: Kirarira Twijukye – 68 Nett
Runners up: Mathias Zungu – 69 Nett

Group C:

Winner: Louis Tumukunde – 66 Nett
Runners up: Jacob Byamukama – 67 Nett

Seniors: Etienne Marin – 74 Nett

Ladies:

Winner: Jovia Tugume – 71 Nett
Runners up: Ruth Mugisha – 73 Nett

Guest Winner: Obiga Omia – 69 Nett

Hole-in-One: James Joash Okema (On Hole 12)

The Uganda Golf Union (UGU) has named the national teams ahead of the Victoria Cup slated for February 1-3 at Uganda Golf Club in Kampala.

The provisional team is comprised of ten (10) Seniors and four (4) Juniors who will embark on the preparations before the final team is confirmed by the head coach Flavia Namakula.

The seniors include Joseph Cwinya-ai, Ibrahim Bagalana, Michael Tumusiime, Morris Ashaba, John Musimenta, Reagan Akena, Andrew Ssekibejja, Amon Bwambale, Titus Okwong and Joseph Kasozi.

The four Juniors are Brian Mugabi, Elton Thembo, Cosmos Ociti and Ibrahim Ssemakula.

The team will start residential training on 22^nd January 2024 and the final squad will be announced three days later on 25^th January.

The Victoria Cup is an annual golf tournament between the national teams of Uganda and Kenya.

In 2022, the tournament returned after a two-year absence at Limuru Club in Nairobi, Kenya with Kenya winning the tournament.

The golfing fraternity heads to Entebbe Club as the first major tournament of 2024 at the facility takes centre stage on Saturday.

At least 150 golfers are booked for the day-long MTN Monthly Tee, the first event of the year.

The numbers are expected to swell as the golfers return from the festive and New Year celebrations.

The tournament mode of play will be medal with an awards ceremony after the day closes at the 19^th hole.

The MTN Monthly Tee tournament is played once every month at Entebbe Club with full sponsorship from the telecommunications giants MTN Uganda.

January 2023 Draw

January MTN MONTHLY TEE DRAW Download

KIU Titans have confirmed the departure of atleast five players who prominently featured for the side last season as they reached the National Basketball League finals.

Leading the cast is Congolese big man Amisi Saidi and forward Denis Balungu. The other players include former skipper Joseph Chuma, Innocent Ochera and Isaiah Ater Mabeny.

The five players were crucial as the Titans finished runners-up in the National Basketball League in the 2023 season.

Chuma has been an incredible part of KIU Titans’ story for the last six years and his unbridled passion for the game and club can never be disputed. The forward joined KIU in 2017 and leaves the club as a darling to the fans and has joined Namuwongo Blazers along with Ochera.

Apart from Isaiah Ater Mabeny who joined KIU Titans in 2022, the other three players Balungu, Innocent Ochera and Amisi Saidi the club in 2023.

She Cranes goal keeper Faridah Kadondi revealed that Wales shocked them with a contest game and it was too late for them to respond.

Uganda was on the losing side in the first encounter of the three-game series after suffering a 57-45 loss to hosts Wales in the Netball Test Series at the House of Sports, Cardiff.

While talking to the press, Kadondi said that they hardly expected such a game from Wales but they will return much prepared in the coming games.

“It was not a very hard game. But we got to realise that empires were calling for a contest game when it was already late for us,” she said.

“But we hope when we come back we are going to do our best. We at least know what we have to do in our next game and we shall do exactly that,” she added.

“We hope to rectify our mistakes and put up the required show. They fed the goal shooter well, realising she is a very tall player and she is the one supposed to score for them.”

“In the coming game I know our defence unit will go back and improve because there are a lot of things that we hardly did right and it cost us,” she concluded.

The two sides will be meeting again on Friday and Saturday at the same venue before they head into the Vitality Netball Nations Cup.

City Oilers on Friday appointed Andrew Tendo as the new head coach for the side, replacing, Mandy Juruni who will be joining Rwandan side Kepler.

Tendo who had been the assistant to Juruni since hanging up his sneakers was announced at a short function held at Doğtaş in Kampala.

“Tendo is our head coach. Continuity was important for us and so, the decision was very easy,” Club president Santur Mohammed said of the appointment.

“We will give Tendo all the support he needs for us tobe successful, we want him to be his own man. We dont compromise when it comes to success so we obviously expect it to continue,” Santur added.

The first-year head coach will be assisted by Ben Komakech who will serve as a coach-player next season that starts late January.

“I’m shocked!” Komakech said when asked tocomment on the appointment.

The two will take charge starting with the upcoming NBL season that starts late January 2024

MTN Uganda proudly concluded a year of golfing excellence with the successful staging of the MTN Grand Tee of Tees at East Africa’s oldest golf facility, Entebbe Club.

The last event of the year brought together an array of partners, golf enthusiasts, and Friends of Golf (FRoGs) to celebrate the spirit of camaraderie and the joy derived from spending quality time together.

Sylvia Mulinge, the CEO of MTN Uganda, expressed her delight at the 19th hole and extended her deepest appreciation to key friends and partners.

“What a splendid evening it has been! I trust that each of you has enjoyed the Grand Tee of Tees as much as we have in bringing it to you. Tonight is not just about golf; it’s about celebrating the spirit of camaraderie and the joy that comes from spending quality time with friends and partners,” Mulinge said.

“Allow me to acknowledge and extend our deepest appreciation to some of our friends – Huawei, Absa, ATC, and Total – who have specially come through for us to make this MTN Grand Tee of Tees a memorable experience. Big thanks to our partners in the MTN Monthly Tees – CFAO, Afrisave, and Castle Lite. Your partnership and support throughout 2023 have allowed us to build a strong platform to advance this sport here at Entebbe and inspired others to take keener interest in the Entebbe Club model,” she added.

The unveiling of the foundation stone plaque by MTN Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Mulinge

In April 2023, MTN Uganda and Entebbe Club announced a partnership that would see the Telecommunication giants finance some infrastructure development at the facility including the renovation of the club house and construction of the halfway house.

“Together, we’re unstoppable,” stated Mulinge. “Tonight is not only the culmination of a golf tournament; it’s a celebration of what we’ve achieved together this year. In April 2023, MTN Uganda partnered with the Entebbe Club, pledging an investment of close to Ugx 1 billion, consisting of operational and infrastructural support, over three years. This investment includes the much-anticipated laying of the foundation stone for the MTN Halfway House, symbolizing our commitment to the growth of golf in Uganda. This significant milestone was achieved earlier today.”

On the course, Bridget Basiima returned the best scores on the day (64 nett) to claim the Grand Tee of Tees. For her consistency throughout the year, Basiima also topped the Ladies Order of Merit with Moureen Okura taking the runner-up spot.

In the men’s category, Michael Monne topped the Order of Merit with Luwum Odoch taking second spot.

MTN Grand Tee of Tees | Results

OVERALL WINNER: Bridget Basiima h/c 14 – 64 nett c/b

WINNER GROUP A MEN: Richard Oloka h/c 8 – 67
RUNNER UP: Allan Muhereza h/c 5 – 74

WINNER GROUP B MEN: Enock Nuwagaba h/c 12 – 71
RUNNER UP: Daniel Opwonya h/c 16 – 71

WINNER GROUP C MEN: Saidi Kirarira h/c 20 64
RUNNER UP: Geoffrey Odur h/c 19 – 66

WINNER GROUP D MEN: Richard Mugisha h/c 30 – 76
RUNNER UP: Ronald Gayiya h/c 36 – 79

WINNER GROUP A LADIES: Maureen Okura h/c 17 – 73
RUNNER UP: Anne Abeja h/c 14 – 78

WINNER GROUP B: Diana Nabukenya h/c 19 – 69
RUNNER UP: Nice Janda h/c 36 – 70

WINNER SENIORS: Sean Kinsella h/c 14 – 72

WINNER GUESTS: Bruce Aijuka h/c 14 – 64 c/b

LONGEST DRIVE MEN: Twinemanzi Tumubwenee

LONGEST DRIVE LADIES: Peace Kabasweka

NEAREST TO THE PIN MEN: Daniel Opwonya

NEAREST TO THE PIN LADIES: Peace Kabasweka

Bridget Basiima claimed the MTN Grand Tee of Tees on Saturday, December 16 at Entebbe Golf Club.

Basiima returned a nett score of 64 to be crowned the overall winner of the last MTN Monthly Tee of the year.

With that victory, the medical student at Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences sealed the Ladies’ Overall Order of Merit title.

Bridget Basiima (L) receives a trophy from CFAO Motor’s Sarah Kiberu

“I am so super excited about this victory as it is the second time am winning the Overall Ladies Order of Merit. I must thank God for this Beautiful win,” Basiima said.

Meanwhile, Michael Monne wrapped up the Men’s Order of Merit for his consistent rounds in the months leading to his crowning as MTN Uganda rolled down the curtain on the golf season at East Africa’s oldest golf club.

No hole-in-one

On the day, no golfer claimed the brand new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 staked on Hole 8 by CFAO Motors Uganda, the partners of the MTN Monthly Tee.

However, golfers who had hit aces on different occasions were awarded certificates in recognition of achieving the difficult feat of hitting a hole-in-one.

Club Halfway House

Before the 19th Hole experience, MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Mulinge, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Halfway house at Entebbe Club.

Mulinge promised that by mid-next year, the halfway house would be complete.