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Jinja Hippos Rugby Club has unveiled Charles Onen as their head coach on a one-year contract.
Onen assumes the role in the place of Robert Seguya who is battling leukemia.
In addition to Onen who will be in charge of the senior XV and Sevens squads, Kevin Makmot has been appointed as backs coach.
Makmot will also be responsible for Hippos’ development club, Kiira Crocs. Sean Baldwin maintains his role as forwards coach.
Hippos chairman Jonan Manzi says they are excited to welcome the two coaches as the club builds on the progress made under Seguya.
“Everyone at the club is very excited to welcome these two young coaches as we look to build on the incredible progress of the team under previous head coach Robert Seguya, who took Hippos from bottom of the league at Christmas 2018 to a fourth-place finish last season.
“While Soggy’s illness has necessitated the change, we are confident that in these two we have identified the best coaches to take us on the next stage of our journey,” he said.
Cricket Cranes held their nerve to record a tight six-run win against fierce neighbours and rivals Kenya in the finals of the Pearl of Africa T20 Series.
The two sides came into the fixture having split the two meetings before the final of the tournament.
Uganda won the toss and chose to bat first. Saud Islam (26) and Simon Ssesazi (21) put on 35 for the opening pair but there was no other meaningful partnership and only Ronak Patel (27) put on decent runs as the hosts finished at 120/9 in their 20 overs.
In the chase, Kenya quickly got off the blocks, scoring at a rate of 10 runs every over. However, the departure of Gurdeep Bhagat (44)slowed the chase down giving the Cricket Cranes an opportunity to push the game to the end.
Bilal Hassun was the hero for the Cricket Cranes as he defended eight runs in the final over giving away just two runs.
Head coach Laurence Mahatlane used the series to give opportunities to some of his fringe players a taste of international cricket in preparation for the Africa T20 finals in Kigali Rwanda next month.
Simon Sesesazi, Bilal Hassun, Saud Islam, Frank Akankwasa, and Henry Ssenyondo are some of the players who impressed.
Uganda claimed 3×3 basketball gold in the ISF U15 World School Games after overcoming Serbia in Tuesday’s final at Beograd.
Uganda is among the 35 countries at the largest multi-sport event for teenagers coming who are competing in 14 sports.
Uganda’s basketball team, comprised of Brighton Galiwango, Mathew Kisakye, Lionel Agaba, and Wycliff Birungi won five of 8 games at the tournament.
Despite starting the tournament with three consecutive defeats, Uganda managed to win their subsequent three to reach the semis.
In the semis, the team coached by Nam Blazers guard Jonathan Egau beat Ukraine 9-8 before overcoming Serbia 10-9.
The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) has cancelled the 2021 season of the National Basketball League.
The decision was arrived at after majority of the top-flight clubs failed to meet the requirement for resuming the season that was set for 2nd October.
After a series of meetings, it was agreed that at least eight clubs meet the requirements for resumption with each team asked to pay Shs600,000 to register.
The deadline for meeting the requirements was Monday, 13th October and, reportedly, only five NBL (Men) – UCU Canons, Betway Power, UPDF Tomahawks, KCCA Panthers and Falcons – had confirmed registration while two NBL Women teams – UCU Lady Canons and KCCA Leopards had registered.
“It is evident that the NBL (Men and Women) and Division One Women Leagues have failed to meet the required threshold for resumption.
“The said leagues are hereby, therefore, canceled forthwith and the status quo as at the end of 2019 season for respective leagues is maintained accordingly,” reads a statement in part from FUBA President Nasser Sserunjogi.
However, the Men’s Division One and Two are expected to continue as the requirement were met.
“Division 1 (Men) and Division 2 have met the required threshold of at least eight (8) teams for the resumption and shall therefore resume accordingly upon fulfillment of all the requirements and guidelines put in place by the FUBA competition Council.
“The Competitions Council shall guide and advise on how to handle the issues of promotion from Division 1 to NBL for 2022 season.”
Division One (Men) Teams to continue with the league are Our Saviour, Kampala Rockets, Tropical Royals, Rez Life, Diamonds in the Sun, Gulu Hawks, Knight Riders, Entebbe Archers, and Charging Rhino
Division Two sides are Governors, Miracle Eagles, Emperors, Kings Basketball, Watoto Men, JKL Junior Men, Livingston, Berkley, and Vegetarian
Kevin Awino knocked 39 off 35 balls as Victoria Pearls confirmed their place in the semifinals of the ICC Africa T20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.
It was a walk in the park for the Victoria Pearls as they registered a commanding nine-wicket victory over Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone won the toss and chose to bat first but unlike the Cameroon game, a streetwise Uganda started the game with its slow bowlers drying up the runs immediately.
Sierra Leone was scoring at a rate of just over 2 runs an over until the 10 overs when the part-time bowlers were introduced.
Sierra Leone could only manage 86 runs in the 20 overs for a loss of 8 wickets. Stephanie Nampiina steered with her leg-spin with the best figures of 3/18 and got support from Immaculate Nakisuyi (2/16) and Janet Mbabazi (2/15).
In Uganda’s chase, Proscovia Alako (10) didn’t last but Kevin Awino (39) and Rita Musamali (33) knocked off the required total in 12.5 overs.
The victory ensures that Uganda qualifies for the semifinals on Friday and they will take on tournament favourites Zimbabwe.
The Victoria Pearls of Uganda registered their second win at the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Botswana.
Uganda defeated Cameroon by 156 runs in a one-sided match on Sunday.
Uganda won the toss and elected to bat first. Coach Suraj Karavadra gave wicketkeeper Kevin Awino a chance to bat at the top of the order and she didn’t disappoint with a patient 34 in a second-wicket 100 run partnership stand with Rita Musamali (59).
There were significant contributions from Proscovia Alako (31), Immaculate Nakisuyi (21), and 35 extras as Uganda put on their highest total at the tournament (190) for a loss of six wickets.
In defense of their total, Uganda allowed Cameroon a few moments especially with the fast bowling but once the game was slowed down by Constance Aweko and Stephanie Nampiina, the West Africans stood no chance.
Aweko finished the game with the best figures of 3/4 including a hat-trick and the player of the match award.
Irene Alumo didn’t concede a run in her two-over spell while debutant Patricia Malemikia (1/12), Stephanie Nampiina (1/9), and Immaculate Nakisuyi (1/4) each picked up a wicket as Uganda eased to a huge 156-run win.
Uganda, temporarily on top of the group standings, will play Sierra Leone in their last group game.
Uganda’s Victoria Pearls got off the mark in Botswana at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers with a 43-run win against Nigeria.
The result though doesn’t tell the whole story as the Victoria Pearls were on the back foot for the better part of their innings.
Uganda won the toss and elected to bat but was put on the back foot with some tidy bowling from Nigeria.
Uganda’s openers Rachel Ntono and Proscovia Alako were sent back to the hut in quick succession leaving Uganda at 6/2.
It was left to team skipper Immaculate Nakisuyi (29) to do some recovery work. Stephanie Nampiina (22) and Irene Alumo (21) made the difference late on in the innings to help Uganda post a respectable 104/8.
Nigeria started well in the chase moving at 4 runs an over but once they lost their first wicket in the 5th over, the collapse started as poor communication led to the team losing five wickets via run out.
Nampiina (2/12) and Constance Aweko (2/7) did the rest of the cleanup job with Nigeria eventually bundled out for just 61 runs.
Victoria Pearls will take on Cameroon tomorrow (Sunday, 12th September) afternoon.
Uganda’s campaign at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers – Africa got off a false start, losing to Namibia by 4 runs.
In a battle of the top sides in Group B, Uganda won the toss and chose to field first and the decision was backed up by some early good bowling with Namibia reduced to 1/2 within two overs.
However, some loose bowling, later on, let Namibian off the hook as they were able to recover and posted 105/4 in 20 overs.
Stephanie Nampiina was the pick of the Ugandan bowlers with 1/16 in 4 overs. Constance Aweko, Evelyn Anyipo, and Janet Mbabazi were the other wicket-takers.
In the chase, Uganda was so slow to get out of the blocks getting only 12 runs in the power play.
The recovery job was done by the middle order combination of skipper Immaculate Nakisuyi (36) and Esther Iloku (22) as Uganda dragged the game back.
However, the fall of Nakisuyi with over 20 runs still required for the win made things complicated as the tail couldn’t knock over the required runs with the Victoria Pearls falling short by 4 runs.
The loss to Namibia complicated Uganda’s path to the final. If they win their remaining games they should be able to get to the semifinals but that means they will face the top side from the other group, most likely Zimbabwe.
Uganda will take a rest tomorrow and will play Sierra Leone on Saturday.
Arthur Kaluma was Uganda’s top scorer at the just concluded FIBA AfroBasket 2021 where the Silverbacks finished sixth.
The 19-year-old 6’7” power forward averaged 13.2 points and 5.8 rebounds at the continent’s most prestigious basketball competition.
Kaluma’s performance and work ethic left Uganda’s head coach George Galanopoulos impressed
“I have never seen a 19-year-old work hard the way that this kid does. He is the first one in the gym that laces up his shoes, everybody likes to take their time. This guy is the first one out getting shots up,” Galanopoulos said of Kaluma.
“If we didn’t have to get on the bus and get kicked out of the gym because other teams were playing, he would be there all day and night, that’s how he is, it’s his DNA so I got faith in him. He’s got a bright future and we are very lucky to have him.”
While Kaluma can drive to the basket with ease, he is still figuring out his outside shot and Galanopoulos feels it’s just a confidence issue.
“For Arthur, it’s not his inability to shoot [but] it’s just the confidence that he knows he can make [that shot]. I think that grew a little bit [and] it took a lot of motivation. I think you guys saw that timeout where I was a little fired up about him passing up a three.
“You know there are different ways you can handle situations like that but with guys like Deng Geu who used to struggle with his shot a couple of years ago when he came to us, a guy like Arthur… I watched those guys [in practice] hit three after three after three, but that kid has got heart, and he’s got confidence so I think he took a step in that direction so I think he carries over into his college season.”
Kaluma will start his college career with Creighton Bluejays in a month’s time when the 2021-22 NCAA season tips off.
The Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) has set dates for the resumption of basketball leagues in the country.
FUBA came to a resolution that the games return on 2nd October 2021 for the National Basketball League (NBL) while the Lower Division games are scheduled for 16th October.
A number of conditions were however put forward for a successful league return of basketball and these include;
- A deadline of 10th September 2021 was set by the federation regarding the confirmation of participation in the NBL by topflight league teams.
- An additional fee of UGX 600,000 was also instituted for NBL teams.
- Mandatory COVID Test for players and officials 48 hours prior to the games.
Like the trend has been in the “new normal”, no fans will be allowed or expected at the venues during games. The only provisions available will be for the media and these will also be limited to a small number.
The games will take place at venues that will be made public knowledge at the release of the fixtures by the federation on 18th September.
The league was called off while still in the regular season which implies that the proposed resumption will see a conclusion of regular-season games before teams head for the playoffs.