Mandy Juruni has been appointed the new Head Coach for Kepler Basketball Club.

A celebrated coach in the African game with 12 top-tier league titles (10 men) in Ugandan basketball, Juruni takes a wealth of experience to Kepler having coached both men’s and women’s basketball teams.

His journey is highlighted by multiple triumphs, including leading the City Oilers to multiple Uganda League Championships between 2012 and 2023 and winning the Zone V Championship in 2017 and 2019.

On the national stage, Juruni served as the head coach for the Uganda National Team during the Afrobasket championships in 2015 and 2017 and for the World Cup Qualifiers in 2018 and 2022.

“I am excited to join the Kepler family and look forward to leveraging my experience to build a robust and competitive basketball program here. My goal is to not only win games but also to develop well-rounded athletes who excel both on and off the court,” Coach Juruni stated as quoted by the club website.

René Sahabu, Associate Director of Sports at Kepler, highlighted the significance of Juruni’s appointment.

“We are proud to have Coach Mandy Juruni onboard. His proven track record and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our mission to nurture top-tier athletic talent. We believe his leadership will be central in propelling Kepler’s basketball program to new heights,” he said.

Accredited by the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) in December 2022, Kepler Basketball Club graduated to Rwanda’s basketball elite Division 1 for the 2024 season after a successful 2023 season.

National Basketball League champions City Oilers will feature in season four of the Basketball Africa League.

Oilers will be making a back-to-back appearance in Africa’s premier club competition following the semifinal win in the Road to BAL Elite 16 East Division tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Mandy Juruni’s charges beat Dynamo of Burundi 72-61 at Ellis Park Arena on Friday afternoon to achieve the feat.

Oilers started strong winning the first quarter 19-5 and never looked back even when Dynamo came close at certain points in the game.

Robinson Opong led the way with 17 points (knocking down five 3-pointers) and 8 rebounds. Parrish Petty and Titus Odeke added 14 points each while Germaine Roebuck contributed 13 points.

The Oilers await the winner between Cape Town Tigers and COSPN to face in the finals of the Division.

As the MTN Monthly Tee series heads into the penultimate round today, Peter Apell and Bridget Basiima lead the race for the Order of Merit in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.

Apell leads with a nett score of 575 after 10 rounds ahead of the MTN Monthly Tee for November that will be held today (Saturday, 25th) at Entebbe Golf Club.

Apell is closely followed by Michael Moone, with 576 nett after the same number of rounds.

Adoch Luwum and club chairman Jacob Byamukama are third and fourth with 579 and 583 nett respectively from 9 rounds.

The Ladies Order of Merit is led by former national team golfer Bridget Basiima with 577 nett after 10 rounds. Maureen Okura and Venessa Peris are in second and third position with 586 and 591 nett respectively having played 9 rounds.

The final round next month will have a car staked on hole 10 for an ace by the co-sponsors CFAO Motors.

With just weeks after resigning from his role as the Uganda Women Basketball national team, Gazelles, Alberto Antuna has been appointed the head coach of Senegal’s ladies’ basketball team.

The announcement was made public by the Senegal Basketball Federation Wednesday, November 8, 2023 via it’s official social media handles.

Though the statement the federation revealed that the appointment was due to Antuna’s deep understanding of the game as well as a vast coaching experience more so with the ladies.

“After thorough consideration of numerous applications, both local and foreign, we are proud to select the Spanish coach, Alberto Antuna to take helm of the team,” the statement partly reads.

“His deep understanding of African basketball and extensive coaching experience set him apart,” he added.

Antuna replaces Moustapha Gaye whose retirement left an open role that has now been filled by the Spanish gaffer.

Antuna helped the Gazelles finish seventh in the just concluded the Women Afrobasket that was held in Kigali.

JKL Lady Dolphins advanced to the semifinals of the Africa Women Basketball League Qualifiers 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The National Basketball League champions beat Rwanda’s Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR), 75-58, to reach the last four.

Brenda Ekone led the charge for the Ugandans with 22 points and five rebounds. Ritah Imanishimwe also shone the night, hitting six 3-pointers for 18 points.

League MVP Hope Akello dominated the interior with 11 points and 12 rebounds and got enough help from Beck Longom who also notched a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The Lady Dolphins will battle Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the semifinals this evening (6:00 p.m., EAT), with automatic qualification to the Africa Women Basketball League at stake.

The Africa Women Basketball League will take place in Egypt from December 8-17.

City Oilers were on Wednesday night crowned the 2023 National Basketball League champions, their 9th consecutive title.

This achievement was reached after a thrilling game six of the playoff finals in which they outclassed KIU Titans 78-63 to win the series 4-2.

The strength in depth was on the show as the Oilers got significant contributions from all over the floor.

Veteran guard Jimmy Enabu led the charge with a 19-point performance with Fayed Baale, who is taking over the mantle, adding 18 points.

Titus Lual who was later named the league MVP and also made part of the All-Star 5 contributed 14 points.

Peter Obleng and Collins Kasujja led KIU’s fight with 15 and 13 points respectively.

City Oilers focus turns to the Elite 16 qualifying round for season four of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Oilers compete in the East Division of the Elite 16 and will run between November 14-19 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Ronald Rugumayo is in charge of the 18th Johnnie Walker Uganda Pro Golf Open after the opening round played on Wednesday and Thursday morning.

Rugumayo who is in fine form returned a 5-under 67 at the par-72 Uganda Golf Club course in Kitante having played a bogey-free round.

Even with that performance, the ambitious Rugumayo feels he should have done better despite the early downpour.

“The course was tough,” he admitted. “[but] I feel I was robbed, I should have been much better. I hit 18 regulation shots and only took five?” Rugumayo wondered.

The Ugandan has a two-stroke lead ahead of Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera and compatriot David Kamulindwa.

Kamulindwa’s near-perfect day had only two spots, a bogey on hole 7 and a double bogey on the 12th green.

Kenyan CJ Wangai and Njoroge Kibugu as well as Zambian Aaron Simfukwe, Namibian Paulino Kasoma and Ugandan Adolh Muhumuza are tied for fourth with 2-under 70.

Godfrey Nsubuga has been in sensational form and came into the 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateur Open Golf Championship as one of the favourites.

The opening round of the 82nd edition of the tournament was a testament to Nsubuga’s form as he returned a magnificent 7 under 67 gross score.

The Mehta Golf Club member was sensational throughout the round recording either birdies or par scores on all holes but one (No. 17) where he recorded a bogey.

Nsubuga took the Kitante course by storm, hitting birdies on the first three holes and the ground was set for a superb performance that topped not only Burundian Abdoul Bizimana, Tanzania’s Ally Isanzu and the defending champion Andrew Ssekibejja with whom he played Match 6 but all the 131 players that competed on the day.

“This [today] was my day. Everything I did was right to the point. My swing, approach and putting were all spot on. I am happy for my round,” Nsubuga said of his performance.

Behind Nsubuga was Ibrahim Bagalana who played 2-under 70 and tied for third place are Peter Tumusiime and Joseph Kanolera who played a par score of 72.

Former winner Joseph Cwinya-ai completed the top five with a 1 -over 73 while defending champion Andrew Ssekibejja had a day to forget having played 10 over 82.

Winners Since 2010

• 2010 – Brian Mwesigwa (Kabale Golf Club)
• 2011 – Rogers Byaruhanga (Uganda Golf Club)
• 2012 – Phillip Kasozi (Uganda Golf Club)
• 2013 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
• 2014 – Willy Deus Kitata (Entebbe Golf Club)
• 2015 – Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
• 2016 – Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
• 2017 – Ronald Rugumayo (Tooro Golf Club)
• 2018 –  Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
• 2019 – Daniel Nduva (Nyali Golf and Country Club)
• 2020 – John Lejirma (Kenya Railway Golf Club)
• 2021 – Joseph Cwinya-ai (Tooro Golf Club)
• 2022 – Andrew Ssekibejja (Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa Club)

The Uganda Open Golf Championship Series continue this week with the men’s Amateur Open taking centre stage from Wednesday to Saturday.

Godfrey Nsubuga comes into the tournament as the most in-form player having extended his play beyond borders having featured in several amateur tournaments in Kenya.

Former winner Joseph Cwinya-ai, last year’s runner-up Michael Tumusiime, Joseph Kasozi and Ibrahim Bagalana are some of the top golfers who will be going for the title during the three-day event.

Being a rainy season, the golfers will have to adapt to the difficult conditions and adjust accordingly.

As demonstrated by Peace Kabasweka the winner of the Ladies Open, a strong start could be key in deciding who could go all the way.

The road to becoming a golf champion is more than striking the ball; it encompasses composure, calmness, focus and big-stage temperament. It remains to be seen who will emerge as the 2023 Uganda Amateur Open Golf champion.

• National Basketball League Finals
• Sunday, October 15, 2023
• KIU Rangers 48-62 JKL Lady Dolphins (Series tied 1-1)

JKL Lady Dolphins registered a 62-48 victory over KIU Rangers in Game 2 of the National Basketball League finals at YMCA Court, Wandegeya on Sunday.

The victory brought the best-of-seven series to level keeping the fans anticipating what lies ahead.

In game one, KIU Rangers walked away with a point lead (50-49) after Perus Nyamwenge’s clutch three-point shot to win it at the death.

However, the two-time champions returned well-motivated to regain their footing in the ongoing series.

KIU Rangers led the first quarter 16-15 but at half-time, they were trailing by six (24-30) as JKL Lady Dolphins ascended into the lead.

Coming back from the long break, the Lady Dolphins instead got stronger and won the third (16-10) and fourth (16-14) quarters respectively.

Becky Longom led the scoring board dropping 15 points and pulling down 18 rebounds to take home a personal double-double.

Hope Akello continued her stellar performance contributing 12 points and 19 rebounds in yet another double-double performance.

Brenda Ekone and Rita Imanishimwe were the other two able to score a double as each carded 10 points.

For the KIU Titans, only Nyamwenge scored in double figures after dropping 16 points.

The two sides will play in game three on Wednesday, October 18 at Lugogo Arena.