Alberto Antuna has left his role as head coach of the Uganda Women’s National Basketball Team, Gazelles.

The development for Antuna’s departure was made public on Monday, October 16th, 2023.\ through his social media.

“I am sure it’s not a goodbye but until next time UG,” the statement partly read.

“I would never have thought that in such a short time, being part of something as big as Gazelles would make me feel like a coach in such a deep way,” he continued.

“I want to express my gratitude, especially to the players. To those who stood by me in February and during Afrobasket, thank you FUBA and President Nasser Sserujongi.”

“It’s time to bid farewell,” the Spaniard gaffer signed out.

Thank you @FubaBasketball GRACIAS @GazellesUG 🙏🏻🇺🇬. pic.twitter.com/CLUZld8svw

— Alberto Antuña (@albertoantuna91) October 16, 2023

Antuna guided the Gazelles to a huge seventh-place finish at the just-concluded 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.

His departure leaves the basketball faithful in a cold mood due to the strides of development that have been made under his tutelage.

Reports indicate Nicholas Natuhereza who was his assistant will be in charge of the team before FUBA confirms Alberto’s replacement.

Entebbe Golf Club captain Serwano Walusimbi danced to the podium after emerging as the overall winner of the October MTN Monthly Tee on Saturday, October 13th.

Walusimbi played a 4-under 67 to beat a large field of 176 players who took the par 71 course overlooking the region’s biggest water body Lake Victoria.

Jovia Tugume topped the women’s category with 68 nett with Maureen Okura (69) taking the runners-up place on countback.

The 19th hole was themed MTN@25 as MTN Uganda celebrates its 25th anniversary in the country.

“I’m thrilled to be here today to celebrate this special occasion as MTN Uganda reaches its 25th anniversary. It’s a remarkable milestone, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate it with all of you,” acting CEO Enid Edroma said.

“This event [MTN Monthly Tee] holds a special place in our hearts because it’s not just about golf, it’s about celebrating youth and playfulness, just like a 25-year-old. It’s about celebrating the spirit of unity, resilience, and progress that have defined MTN’s journey over the years,” she added.

All winners on the night at the MTN@25 Monthly Tee had their gongs presented to them by MTN employees.

MTN Monthly Tee | October Results

WINNER OVERALL: Serwano Walusimbi – 67 nett

WINNER GROUP A MEN: Micheal Odur – 70 nett c/b
RUNNER UP GROUP A MEN: Andrew Baguma – 70 nett c/b

WINNER GROUP B MEN: Daniel Opwonya – 69 nett
RUNNER UP GROUP B MEN: Richard Mucunguzi – 70 nett

WINNER GROUP C MEN: Jonathan Bakwega – 68 nett
RUNNER UP GROUP C MEN: Colin Talemwa – 68 nett

WINNER LADIES: Jovia Tugume – 68 nett
RUNNER UP LADIES: Moureen Okura – 69 nett c/b

WINNER SENIORS: Jamil Maningi – 68 nett

GUEST WINNER: Robert Mugabe – 69 nett

Peace Amooti Kabasweka kept her nerve in the final three holes on the final day to clinch her first-ever Uganda Ladies Open Golf title on Saturday.

Tanzania’s Iddi Madina Hussein who was four shots behind caught up with Kabasweka by the 15th hole but the Ugandan held her nerve par holes 16, 17 and 18 as Madina bogeyed the final hole.

“I feel so happy, I am excited, and I am over the moon,” Kabasweka said in the aftermath.

The Toro Golf Club player set the foundation for her victory on day one on Thursday when she recorded the best-ever score in the Ladies Open with a magnificent 4-under 68 with some superb putting.

Despite the slide on the subsequent rounds, the solid 5-stroke lead she had over Madina on the opening day set her on the path to victory.

“I have chased this title for the last four years and I have been very close before. I almost gave up at number 18 but handed it to God on the last hole,” she confessed.

Meanwhile, in the seniors’ category, Steven Katwiremu won by sudden death while Malawian, Roza Mbilizi won the Ladies’ Senior Category.

Focus now turns to the men’s Amateur Open that will be played this week from 18th-21st October.

Ladies Open Winners – Past 10 Years

• 2023 – Peace Kabasweka (Uganda)
• 2022 – Martha Babirye (Uganda)
• 2021 – Irene Nakalembe (Uganda)
• 2020 – Martha Babirye (Uganda)
• 2019 –  Martha Babirye (Uganda)
• 2018 – Neema Olomi (Tanzania)
• 2017 – Angel Eaton (Tanzania)
• 2016 – Flavia Namakula (Uganda)
• 2015 – Flavia Namakula (Uganda)
• 2014 – Flavia Namakula (Uganda)
• 2013 – Angel Eaton (Tanzania)

KIU Rangers announced their arrival on the National Basketball League Playoff Finals stage by beating two-time winners JKL Lady Dolphins on Friday night.

Playing their first-ever finals game, the Rangers needed Perus Nyamwenge’s 3-pointer with 6 seconds on the clock to take the series-opening game 50-49 at YMCA in Wandegeya.

In the first quarter, either side struggled to score the basketball but the lady Dolphins had the edge taking it 11-9.

The second quarter was equally low-scoring but it was Rangers that had the edge, netting 12 points while limiting their opponents to just 6.

The halftime talk worked for either side at least offensively as both sides improved in the second half. Rangers dominated the opening five minutes of the third quarter leading by as many as 9 points but went cold later on as the Lady Dolphins quickly got back into the game.

It was a 2-point game at the start of the final quarter with Rangers leading 33-31 that they quickly stretched to 7 points but JKL never fell further behind.

In fact, last year’s losing finalists came back into the game took a 2-point lead (49-47) late in the game and looked destined for Game One victory. However, a play from a time-out gave Nyamwenge a chance to shoot for the win with 6 seconds to play and she hit the game-winning shot.

Nyamwenge finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds and as many assists, Ines Kanyamunza contributed 15 points from the bench and Mary Amaniyo laid the foundation with a game-high 18 points to go with 7 boards.

On the other hand, Evelyn Nakiyingi notched a double-double of 10 points and as many rebounds while Rita Imanishimwe and Brenda Ekone scored 11 and 15 points respectively.

Game 2 of the series will be played on Sunday, 15th October.

Peace Kabasweka could be on the way to winning her maiden Uganda Ladies Open Golf title after maintaining top spot on the leaderboard on Day Two.

Kabasweka maintained top spot on the leaderboard despite having a tough day on the course in Round Two during which she started off with four straight boggies on the first four holes.

The Tooro Club member returned 3-over par 75 on Friday after a superb opening round of 4-under 68 on day one for a combined 143 gross score after 36 holes.

With Iddy Madina registering the day’s second best score of 2-over 74 following a 1-over 73 on day one, Kabasweka’s lead is now down to four strokes over the Tanzanian ahead of the final round on Saturday.

Meron Kyomugisha also scored 2-over 74 to follow her opening day return of 76 and enters the main pressure group on the final day.

Evah Magala returned 78 for a total of 152 slips to 5th and ultimately out of the main final day pressure group with Kenya’s Ashley Awour (74, 76) taking her spot.

Meanwhile, defending champion Martha Babirye bounced back from a poor opening day performance to return the day’s best score of 1-over 73 and maintained her place (7th) on the leaderboard.

The final round will be played on Saturday and the main pressure group comprising of Kabasweka, Madina, Kyomugisha and Awour will tee off at 12:30 PM.

Peace Kabasweka had a superb outing on the opening day of the 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Open at the par-72 Kitante Course.

The Tooro Club member, playing off handicap five, scored an impressive 4-under 68 to lead a field of over 40 players in the silver category on Day One.

Kabasweka had a flawless day one, registering 14 pars and 4 birdies to establish a 5-stroke lead over second-placed Iddy Hussein Madina of Tanzania.

“Today, my putting was spot on. Every aspect of my game worked to perfection,” Kabasweka said in the aftermath of the round.

Evah Magala, the winner of the Uganda Golf Club Ladies Open last weekend, is third on the leaderboard having returned 2-over 74. She is six strokes adrift of the overnight leader.

Kenya’s Ashley Awour (74) and Meron Kyomugisha (76) sit 4th and 5th respectively after Round One.

Round Two is on tomorrow (Friday) with the pressure group of Kabasweka, Madina and Magala teeing off just after 1pm.

The 2023 Uganda Open Golf Championship takes center stage this month with the Ladies swinging into action on Thursday, 13th October at par 72 Kitante course.

A huge field from the region and beyond will take the course as the three-day Uganda Ladies Open Golf Championship in its 73rd edition tees off.

Three-time winner (2019, 2020 and 2022) and defending champion Martha Babirye comes into the tournament as one of the favourites as she will be eyeing her fourth title.

She, however, will have to keep an eye on other top local contenders such as Eva Magala who won the 5th edition of the UGC Ladies Open on the same course last weekend, Peace Kabasweka, Judith Komugisha, and Melon Kyomugisha.

Tanzania Ladies Open winner Vicky Elias and countrymate Iddi Madina as well as Kenya’s Martha Nyanchama are some of the top contenders from across the borders.

Alice Kego (12) holds the record for most titles while Flavia Namakula who turned pro comes in second with 5 titles.

Eva Magala smiled to the podium after winning the fifth edition of the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open.

The tournament was a precursor for the prestigious Uganda Ladies Open Golf Championship that will be played from 12th-14th October at the same course.

Magala claimed the open by 3 strokes after returning scores of 75, 78, and 75 for a 12 over par 228 gross.

In the runners-up place was Judith Komugisha who tied with last year’s winner Peace Kabasweka on 15 over par 231 gross.

Two-time winner Martha Babirye finished fourth with scores of 20 over par 236 gross and Harriet Kitaka completed the top 5 with scores of 241 gross.

Meanwhile, Flora Ihunde claimed the Bronze category with a score of 131 nett.

The senior men’s category was won by Moses Turyatemba with 41 points while Jennifer Opio won the Senior Ladies’ crown with 142 nett.

Aggrey Mutaka, Bernard Walimbwa and Nicholas Mandela won Groups A, B and C with scores of 37, 43, and 43 points respectively.

KIU Rangers have qualified for the Women’s National Basketball League Playoff finals for the first time in their history.

To achieve the feat, Rangers defeated league newcomers JT Lady Jaguars 3-0 in the best-of-five semifinals.

In the pivotal Game 3 played at YMCA in Wandegeya on Sunday, the Rangers dominated the Jaguars running away with a 62-43 victory and a series win.

Right fromthe start, KIU were intentional and established their dominance, leading 29-10 after the first quarter and never looking back.

Rose Amaniyo who has been a star of the series played a crucial role in the victory with 18 points and an impressive 18 rebounds. Sharon Kirabo contributed 14 points as the Rangers dominated the inside.

On the other hand, no Lady Jaguar reached double digits in scoring with Sarafina Drichuru and Brenda Kayaga both finishing with 9 points each.

KIU Rangers will now take on two-time champions JKL Lady Dolphins in the seven-game finals

City Oilers are through to the National Basketball League Playoff Finals for the ninth year running.

The eight-time champions swept Our Savior 3-0 in the best-of-five semifinal following a 76-51 triumph in Game 3 on Sunday.

It was shooting guard Ivan Muhwezi who led the way for the Oilers at YMCA in Wandegeya with a game-high 18 points.

Ruak Ruai also scored 18 points and picked 8 rebounds in a game the champions dominated from start to finish. Former captain Jimmy Enabu added 15 points.

Oilers led 15-12 at the end of the first quarter and by halftime, the writing was on the wall as the lead had ballooned to 11 points (34-23).

While Our Savior competed in the third quarter, they barely competed in the final quarter as the Oilers ran away to a 25-point victory.

Kenneth Mesho scored 9 points to lead Our Savior who were making the semifinals for the first time. Davis Asiimwe and Henry Ssebagala contributed 7 points each.

City Oilers will be aiming to win an unprecedented ninth consecutive title when they take on KIU Titans. The two sides last met in the 2018 finals.