MTN Uganda rewarded a group of outstanding women in sports and a community Netball team, following a campaign that was launched last month, in celebration of the women who have broken societal norms by shining in the male-dominated world of sports.

In a ceremony held on Wednesday at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, a total of 20 outstanding women and members of the Suncity United community Netball team were awarded cash prizes and a sponsorship package respectively, in appreciation of their efforts toward the country’s sports scene. 

Suncity United is a community-based netball team leveraging Netball to empower underprivileged girls hailing from slum areas in and around Kampala. The team received a community service award accompanied by a Ugx.30,000,000 shillings sponsorship package in recognition of its efforts. The money will go towards facilitating the team’s travel to the United States where the team has been invited to compete in the U.S Open Junior Netball Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, later this month.

Rehema Nanyonga, the Manager of the Suncity United Netball team thanked MTN for the recognition award as well as the sponsorship package to facilitate the team’s travel for the U.S Open Junior championships in Atlanta, Georgia.

“As the Suncity United Community, we are humbled to be recognized and supported in our endeavors by the biggest company in the country. This gesture from MTN has motivated us to continue pursuing our goals to continue inspiring more girls in our community through sports,” Nanyonga said.

The top 5 winners; Jane Asinde (Basketball), Janet Mbabazi (Cricket), Frankline Najjumba (Cricket), Peruth Chemutai (Athletics), and Halima Nakaayi (Athletics) were each rewarded with Ugx.3,000,000 shillings. The rest of the 15 ladies who made it to the top 20 received Ugx.500,000 shillings each.

Penina Kabenge, the Vice President of the International University Sports Federation thanked MTN for always reaching out to the sports fraternity as well as looking out for and celebrating the women in sports.

How winners were determined

Following the International Women’s Day celebrations last month, MTN ran a digital campaign across its online platforms asking the public to nominate outstanding women from different sports disciplines including Athletics, Basketball, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Javelin, Kabaddi, Netball, Rugby, Shooting, Volleyball, and Woodball among others, through the MTN Sports website (www.sports.mtn.co.ug).

Between 15^th March 2022 to 4^th April 2022, 100 nominations were received, backed by insightful profiles of the nominated women. Subsequently, the public cast their votes for their favorite sportswomen who were rewarded by MTN Uganda.

Since it started its operations in Uganda over 20 years ago, MTN’s proactive role in sports has positioned the brand as the biggest supporter of local sports through its sponsorships, partnerships, and active engagements with the various sports disciplines including football and athletics among others.

Today MTN Uganda is celebrating women in Sport and five have received accolades for excelling and inspiring other women in the field of sport.

We profile them as you try to build knowledge and get to know them better.

Here are the profiles;

1. Jane Asinde

Sport: Basketball

Age: 22

Bio: Jane Asinde is one of the top junior college transfers in women’s college basketball. She was the 18th – rated player in the World Exposure report for Juco rankings. She decided to play for the Wichita State women’s basketball team without even going for a visit on campus. She transferred to Wichita State from Grayson Junior College in Denison, Texas. At Grayson she received WBCA NJCAA First Team All – American.

2. Janet Mbabazi

Sport: Cricket

Age: 26

Bio: In July 2018, Mbabazi was named in Uganda’s squad for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier tournament. She made her Women’s Twenty20 International (WT20I) for Uganda against Scotland in the World Twenty20 Qualifier on 7 July 2018. In April 2019, she was named as the vice-captain of Uganda’s squad for the 2019 ICC Women’s Qualifier Africa tournament in Zimbabwe.

3. Franklyn Najjumba

Sport: Cricket

Age: 34

Bio: In July 2018, Najjumba was named in Uganda’s squad for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier tournament. She made her Women’s Twenty20 International (WT20I) for Uganda against Scotland in the World Twenty20 Qualifier on 7 July 2018.

4. Peruth Chemutai

Sports: Athletics

Age: 22

Peruth Chemutai is a steeplechase runner. She won the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in the women’s 3000 metres steeplechase race, becoming the first Ugandan woman ever to win an Olympic medal.

5. Halima Nakaayi

Sport: Athletics (800m and 1500m)

Age: 27

Bio: Halimah Nakaayi is a middle-distance runner who specialises in 800 metres. She is the 2019 World Champion at the event and won the bronze medal at the 2022 World Indoor Championships. Nakaayi is the current Ugandan record holder in the 800m both outdoors and indoors, and also for the 1000 metres.

The National Basketball League (NBA) side Phoenix Suns have given Ishmail Wainright a standard NBA contract.

The Silverbacks forward had been on a two-way contract since joining the side at the start of the season.

Having secured the full contract, Wainright can now play in the playoffs. He takes the roster spot of Frank Kaminsky who was waived.

Official: Suns have converted the two-way contract of Ish Wainright into a standard NBA contract. pic.twitter.com/BJUnWbGvkQ

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 10, 2022

Wainright has proven himself during the course of the season to be more valuable than his two-way status suggested.

The 6’6″ versatile forward scored a career-high 20 points in the fourth quarter against the Clippers and has averaged just over 17 points in the last two regular-season games.

Professional Ugandan netball player Peace Proscovia had an eventful weekend as she impressed in Surrey Storm’s 68 – 52 win over Severn Stars in the Vitality Netball Superleague on Sunday.

The goal shooter scored 45 goals to cap a man of the match performance but also help her side claim their fifth victory this season.

Francesca Wells played the supporting role in goal attack position also amassing 21 to support Peace and her teammates especially after winning the previous three games against Celtic Dragons, Wasps and Saracens Mavericks.

Peace’s Surrey Storm struggled in the first quarter (13-16) but pulled through in the 2nd (18-14), 3rd (19-10) and 4th (18-12) to dominate in fashion.

Surrey Storm are now fourth on the log behind leaders Manchester Thunder, her former side Loughborough Lightning and rivals London Pulse. Thunder lead with a whopping 33 points while Storm have 18.

https://mobile.twitter.com/NetballSL/status/1510660586274803712

South Africa claimed all the major honours at the All Africa Junior Golf Championship 2022 at the Palm Hills Golf Course in Cairo, Egypt.

South Africa won both the individual and team accolades and in the process qualified for the World Cup.

Pascal Gunther scored 283 strokes in four rounds to win the male competition with -5 ahead of Zimbabwe’s Michael Wallace with a par-288 score in 72 holes.

How Uganda fared

Uganda’s captain Godfrey Dunstan Nsubuga finished among the top ten in 8^th place with 299 strokes. Nsubuga’s best round came on the final day with 1-under 71 on day four.

Joseph Reagan Akena fell two places during the last day to finish 20^th with 321 strokes.

Emmanuel Adrabo was 26^th with 326 strokes as Ibrahim Ssemakula finished 39^th with 352 strokes.

In the girl’s category, Olivia Bobbi Brown held onto her lead from round one to the closure to win the girls’ competition with 209 in 72 holes (6-under).

Frista Birabwa (356) was best Ugandan at number 16. Winnie Musuya (372) and Vivian Wanok Achen (403) were 21^st and 25^th respectively out of the 27 girls in the competition.

Teams

South Africa won both the male and female team events. Morocco took the second male spot with Zimbabwe in number three, Kenya fourth, and Uganda ended fifth. Zambia, Tunisia, Namibia, Egypt, Mauritius, Botswana, and Gabon followed suit.

South Africa (425) led the standings in the girl’s category ahead of Morocco (436) and Zimbabwe finished third (466). Egypt, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Tunisia, and Botswana completed the respective 9 countries at the meet.

The second round of the All Africa Junior Golf Challenge 2022 was played on Tuesday, 29th March at the Palm Hills Golf Course in Cairo, Egypt.

Ugandan golfer Frista Birabwa was one of the most improved players on the day that marked 36 holes of action.

Birabwa improved by three places from 16^th to 13^th on the leaderboard after returning 85 on the second round, an improvement from 91 on day one.

She is 41 strokes from the leader, Olivia Brown Bobbi (135 in 36 holes) of South Africa who is one stroke better than countrymate Kyra Van Kan Lucinda. Morocco’s Sofia Cherif Essakali is third on the leaderboard with 145 strokes.

Meanwhile, Winnie Musuya is 19th with 185 strokes and Vivian Wanok Achen is 24^th on the leaderboard with 201 strokes.

In the boy’s category, Uganda captain Godfrey Nsubuga fell two places from 8^th to 10^th with 153 strokes over 36 holes.

Joseph Regan Akena fell three places to 23^rd with 164 strokes while Emmanuel Adrabo improved by a massive five places from 31^st to 26^th on 167 strokes.

It was business as usual for City Oilers and UCU Canons in the National Basketball League as both sides registered wins.

UCU hosted the Saturday games in Mukono and defending champions Oilers (2-1) powered past Victoria University 97-55. Ivan Lumanyika had a 16/16 double-double for the Oilers.

Canons (3-0) made it three wins in three games, having beaten the Falcons 71-53. Ibanda Lwabaga and Abraham Isyagi scored 14 and 13 points respectively while Titus Lual pulled down 14 rebounds to go with 10 points.

Meanwhile, Nam Blazers returned to winning ways having suffered a shocking defeat to Our Savior last weekend.

Blazers (2-1) beat Ndejje Angels 81-60 thanks to Amisi Saidi and Paul Odong who combined for 38 points with each contributing 19. Richard Ongom added 12 points for the Namuwongo-based side.

League action continues today at the MTN Arena in Lugogo.

Saturday Results

• Victoria University 55-97 City Oilers
• Falcons 53-71 UCU Canons
• Nabisunsa 40-54 Magic Stormers
• Angels 37-77 UCU Lady Canons
• Nam Blazers 81-60 Ndejje Angels

Sunday Fixtures (MTN Arena, Lugogo)

• KIU Rangers Vs Nabisunsa Girls
• JKL Dolphins Vs Tropical Royals
• Ndejje Angels Vs Victoria University
• Magic Stormers Vs A1 Challenge
• KIU Titans Vs Our Saviour

Melisa Akullu walked straight into Claire Lamunu’s shoes when she joined Vanguard University a couple of years ago.

During her tenure with the Vanguard Lions, Lamunu was exceptional leading the side to the NAIA national tournament and by extension, the bar was already set for Akullu.

The Ugandan center has had a very good sophomore year, registering 15 double-doubles during the 2021-22 season, seven of which came in her last eight games.

The 6-foot-1 center averaged a double-double, one of just two players in the Golden State Athletic Conference to do so, posting 18.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. She ranked third in the conference in points and tied for the lead in rebounds.

Akullu recorded at least 20 points in a game 10 times and twice hit the 30-point mark, including a career-high 35 points against Life Pacific on 2nd December 2021. She scored 30 in the regular-season rematch against the Warriors on 22nd January 2022. She also reached double figures in points in 14 straight games and in all but one during the just concluded 2021-22 season.

To cap her good season, Akullu earned NAIA Third Team All-America honours.

With performances like that from Akullu, Jane Asinde at Wichita State Shockers, Jamila Nansikombi at Moberley Area Community College, and Priscilla Abey at Grayson College as well several stars in the local league, exciting times are ahead for the Gazelles, Uganda’s national women’s team.

Celebrating Women in Sports

MTN Uganda is Celebrating Women in Sports and we would like you to nominate your outstanding woman in sports and shine a light on their greatness.

Nominate Here.

The Uganda national junior golf team is positive ahead of the All Africa Junior Golf Championship slated for 26^th March to 1^st April 2022 in the Egyptian capital Cairo.

The team of seven (four boys and three girls) was flagged off on Friday, 25th March 2022 at the Uganda Golf Club in Kampala.

Uganda Golf Union president Moses Matsiko, UGU secretary Anthony Agaba, Robert Ejiku (team manager), and head coach Flavia Namakula graced the event.

After close to two years without any international engagements, we are pleased to have our junior National team participating in this tournament. It is a great opportunity for us to gain experience as we prepare them to join the ranks for the national senior team in the future.

Moses Matsiko, President Uganda Golf Union

The boy’s team has all the four players from Mehta Club in Lugazi led by team captain Godfrey Dunstan Nsubuga (16). The others are Ibrahim Ssemakula (15), Joseph Reagan Akena (16), and 17-year-old Emmanuel Adrabo.

The girl’s team has Mehta Club’s Winnie Musuya (13) as well as the Entebbe club duo of Vivian Wanok Achen (15) and 16-year-old Frista Birabwa.

The players have been training for the past fortnight on different courses; Lake Victoria Serena Golf and Spa, Entebbe Golf Club, and Uganda Golf Club, Kitante in Kampala.

I thank the Uganda Golf Union for believing in me. The target is to do well. I do not want to put these young players under a lot of pressure. They are strong and capable as they believe in themselves.

Flavia Namakula, Head Coach

The tournament will have four rounds based on stroke play format.

NBL | Saturday Results

• W: KIU Rangers 61-55 A1 Challenge
• M: City Oilers 80-46 KCCA Panthers
• W: UCU Lady Canons 66-60 Miracle Ravens
• M: UCU Canons 80-36 Tropical Royals
• M: Our Savior 61-59 Nam Blazers

Uganda Christian University (UCU) teams, Lady Canons and Canons, were triumphant in the National Basketball League (NBL) on Saturday at YMCA in Wandegeya, Kampala.

UCU Lady Canons beat debutants Miracle Ravens 66-60 whileUCU Canons beat newcomers Tropical Royals 8O-36 to post the biggest scoreline of the season thus far.

In the women’s game, Rose Akon led Lady Canons with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Hajara Najjuko posted 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists for the university team.

Miracle Ravens captain Brenda Alyano led the side in a losing effort with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Lillian Cherotich had 10 points and 4 rebounds.

In the men’s game, Kevin Kasobya top-scored for the dominant UCU side with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Crammer Wamala managed 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.

No Tropical Royals player scored double figures but Highman Ssemakula had 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. Denis Omara and Charles Ochero had 5 points apiece.

In other games, City Oilers beat KCCA Panthers 80-46. Newcomers Our Savior shocked Nam Blazers 61-59 while KIU Rangers were 61-55 victors over former champions A1 Challenge.

Action continues today with five games on the card at the MTN Arena Lugogo.