Uganda Premier League | Results 

• Vipers 1-0 Bright Stars
• URA 2-0 Maroons
• Busoga United 1-1 Gaddafi

Bright Stars held holders Vipers in a 1-1 stalemate in the Uganda Premier League encounter at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Thursday.

It was a disappointing show by the Venoms who once again dropped points blurring their ambitions of defending the UPL title.

It was the second successive stalemate after they were held by Gaddafi in a goalless draw in their last UPL game.

In the 28th minute, Nelson Senkatuka failed to beat Vipers custodian Jack Komakech after beating Vipers’ backline in their half.

Eric Kambale tapped the ball into the back of the net on a rebound at the half-hour mark after Watambala’s effort was earlier blocked by Hassan Matovu from close range.

Four minutes later, Milton Karisa made an excellent run before Karim Watambala set him up but his final effort was far from required after he failed to place the ball on target with only a goalkeeper to beat.

With six minutes to conclude the first stanza, Sentamu missed a glorious chance to double Vipers’ after being released by Watambala on the left flank.

Returning from the dressing rooms, Bright Stars looked so impressive and got out of their blocks in search of a leveller.

On top of the hour, Shafic Kakande was quick on the far post to tap home Omony Kaka’s darling cross. 

Vipers are now seven points (32) behind log leaders Kitara (39) who have played two games more while Bright Stars are 11th with 23 points after playing 19 games.

The regular season champion Vanguard women’s basketball team collected more hardware on Wednesday as the Golden State Athletic Conference coaches named Uganda’s Melissa Akullu as Player of the Year.

Akullu is the third player in program history to repeat as GSAC Player of the Year and also becomes just the fifth player at VU to capture All-GSAC honours three times in a career.

The Gazelles centre dominated in every facet, leading the conference in scoring (24.4 ppg), rebounding (13.7 RPG), field goal percentage (.624) and steals (3.3 spg). Nationally, she ranks sixth in scoring, third in rebounding, eighth in field goal percentage and fifth in steals.

She finished the regular season with 19 double-doubles, including a stretch of 14 straight games. Facing consistent double teams, Akullu scored 20 or more points 17 times and surpassed the 30-point mark on seven occasions. She was unstoppable on January 15 at Bethesda with a career-high 41 points to go along with 14 rebounds and eight steals.

Akullu made 10 or more field goals in 13 contests, including a 13-of-23 effort in a 65-64 win over The Masters. She finished that game with 30 points, 17 boards and four steals.

The three-time All-GSAC performer landed on the VU single-season list in several categories, including 11th in points (562), first in scoring average, eighth in field goals made (232), first in field goal percentage, fifth in total rebounds (315), first in rebounds per game, 10th in steals (75) and tied for fourth in steals per game (3.3).

She also captured two NAIA National Player of the Week awards and three GSAC Player of the Week accolades this season.

Match Summary

Uganda 145/6 in 20 Overs

• Gloria Abukor 50(37)
• Esther Iloku 32(37)

Zimbabwe 139/8 in 20 Overs

• Consy Aweko 2/9
• Sarah Walaza 1/23

Uganda won by 6 runs

Uganda’s Senior Cricket National Team (Victoria Pearls) registered a six-run win over their rivals Zimbabwe on Tuesday at the Omtex ICWC Cricket Institute.

The two teams are on a training tour to India ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers that will take place in Dubai, UAE in April.

The Victoria Pearls came into the Tuesday fixture on the back of a two-run loss to the Lady Chevrons suffered on Monday.

Zimbabwe won the toss but unlike yesterday’s game, Mary Musonda asked Victoria Pearls to bat first and Gloria Abukor had a player-of-the-game knock, finding six boundaries en route to a solid half-century off 37 balls.

While Abukor’s opening partner Immaculate Nakisuyi fell quickly, Esther Iloku (32) who came in at 3 stuck in to forge a 48-run second-wicket partnership.

Janet Mbabazi (15) joined Iluko and put together a 34-run partnership before she departed and was quickly followed by her replacement Stephanie Nampiina. However, Ritah Musamali (17) helped Uganda to post a competitive 145/6 in their 20 Overs.

The defence of the total got off to a poor start with Evelyn Anyipo and Mbabazi conceding 19 and 16 runs respectively in the opening two overs as Kelis Ndhlovu easily found gaps in the field for boundaries.

However, Sarah Waraza arrested the bleeding with the wicket of Sharne Mayers who was caught at deep midwicket by Mbabazi.

With Zimbabwe’s run rate just over 10, skipper Consy Aweko introduced herself in the attack and rewards came with her third ball as Chiyedza Dhururu was caught behind by Kevin Awino.

From that 8th over onwards, the Victoria Pearls slowed down Zimbabwe’s run-scoring and once the top order was cleaned, the runs dried up as the asking rate kept going up despite some misfields from the Ugandans.

Masamali was able to defend the 13 runs required off the final over and Uganda registered 6-run win.

Philip Wokorach is back as Uganda Sevens head to Montevideo, Uruguay for the second leg of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger that is scheduled for March 8-10.

Wokorach who last played for Uganda at the Africa Sevens in Zimbabwe missed the opening leg in Dubai last month and his return adds attacking prowess to the team.

Nobert Okenyi who also missed the Dubai leg due to injury returns to add speed and strength on the wing. Timothy Mugisha also gets the nod as William Nkore, Roy Kizito, and Davis Shimwa make way.

Aaron Ofoyrwoth who finished the Dubai series on crutches has fully recovered and makes the trip to South America.

Uganda Sevens were drawn in Pool C and will goup against a familiar foe in Germany, Papua New Guinea and hosts Uruguay.

1. Adrian Kasito
2. Norbert Okenyi
3. Aaron Ofoyirwoth
4. Isaac Massa
5. Phillip Wokorach
6. Desire Ayera
7. Ian munyani
8. Alex Aturinda 
9. Pius Ogena
10. Timothy Mugisha
11. Denis Etwau
12. Timothy Kisiga

Uganda got their first win in the qualification campaign for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket following a 72-62 win over Nigeria today in Monastir, Tunisia.

The Silverbacks despite not being the most prepared for the tournament took advantage of Nigeria’s troubles that saw the team arrive for the event barely hours before their first game.

Shooting guard Robinson Opong was the star man for the Silverbacks of Uganda pouring in a game-high 39 points and picking 10 rebounds to power the team to the win, their second over Nigeria in history.

Uganda came into the game on the back of a tough loss to Cape Verde and needed the win to stay in contention for a place at next year’s continental tournament, which if they qualify will be a fourth consecutive appearance.

Emmanuel Womala (9), Adam Seiko (7), Brandon Ssebirumbi (6), and Titus Odeke (6) were the only other top contributors to Silverback’s total in the game.

Despite a poor shooting start from both teams, the Silverbacks had a 12-7 lead at the end of the ten minutes.

The next two quarters were a bit open offensively and once Uganda expanded its lead to double figures, they never looked back despite Nigeria’s fight, especially in the third quarter.

Uganda takes on Libya on Sunday afternoon, 4:00pm (EAT).

As discussions about referees and their performance continue across the country, FUFA has released a list having 24 referees certified by FIFA.

The list released is of those that will wear the FIFA badge for the calendar of the year 2024.

According to the official FUFA website, the list released was submitted to FIFA by the FUFA Executive and 24 names were verified.

Among the 24 are two new entrants in Immaculate Ongeira and Brianson Musisi who are both assistant referees for the eleven-aside football.

Ali Sabila Chelangat, Mashood Ssali, William Oloya, Luck Razaake Kasalirwe and George Olemu are the five certified Male Center referees.

The list has only three female centre referees namely; Shamira Nabadda, Habiba Naigaga and Diana Murungi.

The male assistant referees are six, one more that the center referees namely; Ronald Katenya, Hakim Mulindwa, Emmanuel Okudra, Timothy Gumisiriza Karusigarira, Brianson Musisi, Ashiraf Katerega

The female assistant referees are only four; Lydia Nantabo Wanyama, Jane Mutonyi, Elizabeth Nassolo and Immaculate Ongiera.

Futsal’s two slots have been occupied by Brian Emmy Nsubuga and Isaac Sengendo.

While Beach Soccer’s four slots have been occupied by Ivan Kintu Bayige, Muhammad Ssenteza, Kennedy Kawagga Bazirio and Joel Chote Munyendoh.

National Basketball League – Results

Sunday, February 18, 2024

• Kampala Rockets 67-89 Namuwongo Blazers
• KIU Rangers 79-41 YMCA Lady Hamsters
• KCCA Panthers 73-56 Our Saviour
• KCCA Leopards 1110-43 Nabisunsa

Namuwongo Blazers registered an 89-67 victory against Kampala Rockets in an exciting National Basketball League encounter at the YMCA Court on Sunday.

The Blazers secured the third victory in four games played thus far in the ongoing campaign.

In search of a sounding victory, the Blazers quickly got out of their blocks and took control of the game finishing the first period with a six-point advantage (17-11).

The Blazers only got better in the second quarter scoring 10 more points than they managed in the second quarter compounding the Rockets’ sorrow who were trailing by 17 (44-27) at halftime.

Coming from the locker rooms, the Rockets found their footing and fought hard to reduce the deficit to 10 points (61-51) as Simon Ola sealed the third quarter with a two-point jump shot.

In the final quarter of the game, the Blazers got on top of their game and recreated the huge gap between the two sides as they perfectly sealed their 22-point victory.

Peter Cheng harvested a game-high with 24 points topping Namuwongo Blazers’ scoring sheet as Innocent Ochera and Joseph Chuma added 23 and 19 points respectively.

The Rockets’ scoring was led by Francis Kasinde who dropped 20 points followed by John Dombo and Ola who dropped 17 and 11 points.

It was a great shooting day for the winning team which managed to convert 11 of the 22 attempts outside the paint. 

Michael Monne and Bridget Basiima topped the February field of the MTN Monthly Tee at Entebbe Club on Saturday.

Monne returned 68 nett to emerge the overall winner on countback.

Playing off handicap 14, Monne beat a field of 153 golfers who took part in the day-long event played at the par-71 course overlooking Lake Victoria.

“My swing was on, the approach was even better and the putting perfect,” Monne, who was also the men’s overall winner last year, said in the aftermath of the event.

Meanwhile, last year’s overall winner Bridget Basiima, playing off handicap 12, was the most outstanding lady with 69 nett.

Edith Wamala, playing off handicap 34, came second with 72 nett

Other Top Performers

National Team Player and last year’s Uganda Open second runners-up Peter Tumusiime topped the Men’s Group A. Playing off Handicap 1, Tumusiime returned 74 to beat Peter Pell on countback.

Playing off Handicap 17, Saidi Kirarira scored 69 nett to beat MTN Uganda’s Albert Gitta (Handicap 11) on countback to top Group B while Emmanuel Mugabi won Group C followed by Drake Tukamuhabwa.

February 2024 Top Performers

OVERALL WINNER

• Michael Monne 68 nett c/b

GROUP A MEN

• Winner: Micheal Tumusiime 74 nett c/b
• Runner Up: Peter Apell 74 nett

GROUP B MEN 

• Winner: Saidi Kirarira 69 nett c/b
• Runner Up: Albert Gitta 69 nett

GROUP C MEN

• Winner: Emma Mugabi 68 nett c/b
• Runner Up: Drake Tukamuhabwa 69 nett

LADIES

• Winner: Bridget Basiima 69 nett
• Runner Up: Edith Wamalwa 72 nett

SENIORS (55+)

• Winner: Jamil  Maningi 76 nett c/b

GUESTS

• Winner: Ivan Ssettimba 68 nett

The second MTN Monthly Tee tournament of 2024 takes centre stage this Saturday at Entebbe Golf Club.

The first group will tee off as early as 7:40 am with Brian Cable, Sean Kinsela, Dejan Stepanovic and Mathias Kalule taking the course.

Ladies’ favourite, Bridge Basiima will tee off at 8:40 am alongside Peace Hellen, Patricia Basaza, and Diana Akankwatsa.

Michael Tumusiime who was part of Uganda’s National Team that drew with Kenya in the Victoria Cup earlier this month tees off at 10:40 am alongside Moses Mukiibi, Allan Akira and Paul Nuwagaba.

National Basketball League | Fixture

• Our Saviour vs Livingstone – 3 PM
• KIU Rangers vs KCCA Leopards – 5 PM
• JT Lady Jaguars vs UCU Lady Canons – 7 PM
• KIU Titans vs City Oilers – 9 PM

KIU Titans and City Oilers will lock up horns in the National Basketball League at Lugogo Arena today Friday, February 16, 2024.

The two sides faced in last season’s finals which was clinched by City Oilers on a 4-2 aggregate victory as they lifted their ninth title.

In the pre-match conference, KIU Titans head coach Julius Lutwama revealed that it’s not any special game and they will only try and play their normal game.

“We are playing City Oilers and nothing is exceptional with this game. All we plan is to go and execute our game plan,” Lutwama said.

“We have had good preparations and we shall try and execute our plan. However, City Oilers have always been special, the fact that they have won nine (titles) in a row because they have no competitor for that,” he added.

Nonetheless, Lutwama believes the gap between the two sides is not big since they met in the finals of the previous campaign.

“The fact that we played them in the finals last season shows how we are close and it’s one thing we shall try and weigh.”

The Titans will attempt and end the Oilers’ unbeaten run following back-to-back victories against UCU Canons (83-52) and Kampala Rockets (73-53). For Starters, the Titans fell to Namuwongo Blazers (59-63) in the season opener.

KIU Titans’ roaster has been boosted by the return of Peter Obleg after a long off-season break.

On the other hand, the City Oilers look like a well-oiled machine ready to go all the way. Their thrilling start to the campaign has seen them secure four victories in four games played this far.