Charity run fails to impress

BY BRIGHT NIWAHA

The first ever Rotaract charity run that took place on September 24 was characterised by a low turn-out of participants. Moreover, the one kilometre run began later than planned with less than 30 people.

However, a number of fun activities were later conducted. These included games like chair- dancing, kwepena, tennis, volleyball, bottle-filling, relays, among others. The run, organized by the Uganda Christian University Mukono Rotaract Club and Play- for-Charity, was held at the university sportsground to fundraise and reach out to the underprivileged.

According to the President of the Rotaract Club of Mukono, Mr Joachim Mumbere, the move had a humble beginning since it was the first of its kind by the UCU Rotaract Club. “The run was organised to help the underprivileged, specifically the women prisoners in Kauga Prisons, and the Little Voices Africa Orphanage in Mayuge District.

The cash collected from the run will be used to these institutions to enable them get basic needs, education requirements and improve their health facilities,” he said. The chief runner, Ms Cynthia Asiimwe, a Rotarian in Mukono, says that she is happy that students can think about helping the community they live in.

“Do not give up because of the low turnout. This is just the beginning,” she says.

One of the participants and UCU alumnus, Tony Okello, though happy to have run for a cause, was not quite pleased about the organisation of the event.

“I am however disappointed with the poor mobilization. More people should have been convinced, vigorously, to be part of the event and to also give. Being the centre of excellence in the heart of Africa, UCU organised events should be on point!” he said.

He added: “Many entities, including the bank I work with, are always happy to join such events because they are included in their goals and strategies. They would be glad to engage in such social responsibility activities.” Shallon Manake, a student, said the university administration should have impacted much in organising the run since it is such activities that market the name of the institution.

UCU braced as UFL knockouts resume

BY STAFF WRITER

September is always the busiest month in Ugandan university football as the ever thrilling University Football League (UFL) resumes. UCU takes on rivals Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) in the first leg of the quarterfinals on September 21, in Nkozi.

UCU coach, Jackson Nyima, whose side finished second in group B, with seven points, one behind Kyambogo University, hopes to break the jinx against UMU, who knocked them out at the same stage last season.

“They are a tough team to beat and they have always given us a hard time, but this time we are preparing for them. We hope to make it as far as the medal bracket and if possible win the league,” he said. 

In the other fixtures, Busitema University take on Kampala University, Gulu University will play Nkumba University and Kyambogo University will be battling Makerere University.

UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL LEAGUE FIXTURE 

KAMPALA UNIVERSITY VS BUSITEMA UNIVERSITY

NKUMBA UNIVERSITY VS GULU UNIVERSITY

UGANDA MARTYRS UNIVERSITY VS UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY VS MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

Doves, Ladies claim victories

Lady Doves’ Sheila Kobusingye spikes the ball against Ndejje University Elites (Photo by Ronald Awany)

The UCU Doves and Lady Doves both registered wins in the National Volleyball League (NVL) on August 31, at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

The Doves beat newly promoted Vision Volleyball Club 3-0 (26-15, 25-15 and 25- 23) in three straight sets while the Ladies beat Mulago Volleyball Club by the same score (25-15, 25-13, 25-13).

Doves’ captain, Moses Odeke, hailed the win, the fourth for his side, which beat Tigers Volleyball Club 3-1 in the previous fixture to push them to fourth position on the table.

“Generally, it was a great game, we just need to work on a few things, tie up a few loose ends and focus on making the playoffs,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Lady Doves who have been in impressive form lost to Ndejje University Elites in a thriller that ended 3-2 in Luwero.

The Lady Doves are second behind Ndejje on the table.

Mihigo leads team UCU to EA Challenge

Badminton star, Daniel Mihigo, will lead team UCU in the East African Badminton Challenge due September 9 to 11 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium. 

The championship is expected to attract a host of players from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

Mihigo will captain the team of over 12, which also includes Brenda Nabusindo, Jovan Kyambadde and coach-player, Freddie Kirabo.

“My target is to win the singles and doubles especially after my league loss,” he said.

The UCU pair of Mihigo and Kirabo emerged second in the league after losing to Ndejje’s Jacob Musisi and Herbert Ebyayo in the men’s doubles finals.

Mihigo and Nabusindo also lost to Ndejje’s Daisy Nakalyango and Ebyayo in the mixed doubles.

Tennis: Oringa braced for Rwanda Open

David Oringa in action

Tennis ace David Oringa is hoping to put his 2016 misery to rest as he goes for glory in the third Rwanda Open Tennis Championship due September 15 to 25 at Amahoro stadium courts.

“I hope to put all my disappointment in the past. I have been putting in extra effort and this will be the ultimate test for me,” Oringa said.

The event, which was initially scheduled for August 22 to 28, will attract tennis stars from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and hosts Rwanda.

Kenya’s Sheil Kotecha and tennis siblings, Ismail and Shufaa Changawa, and Uganda’s top seed Duncan Mugabe and third seed, Simon Ayella are among the big names expected in Kigali. The prize money for the winner is US$1000 (men), and US$700 in the women’s category.

Canons set as league takes shape

BY STAFF WRITER

The UCU Canons have upped preparations ahead of their match against the Destiny Phenoms as the second round of the men’s National Basketball League resumes on August 7 at the YMCA Courts in Wandegeya, Kampala.

Andrew Gang from a previous game (File Photo)

The team has been training in the absence of Coach Nick Natuhereza who has been on national duty with the under-18 side for the Afro basket championship in Kigali, Rwanda.

However, this has not hampered the team spirit in camp under the stewardship of skipper Jonathan Egau.

“We are working very hard and rebuilding for the second round. We need to be in good shape as a team,” Egau said.

He is optimistic about the chances of the team finishing the season strong and booking a comfortable play-offs spot.

“The plan is to win all our games and finish in the top three so that as we go into the play-offs we are not affected by positioning. We had a good first round but we need to start and finish the second round on a high. The spirit is great and the boys are ready for the challenge,” he added.

The Canons finished the first round third on the table. That is 19 points and an 8-3 winless streak, tied with fourth-placed KIU Titans, and a point below second-placed Tiger Head Power. City Oilers, who won all their first round games, lead the table with 22 points.

Meanwhile, the Lady Canons will play A1 Challenge on August 5, also at the YMCA Courts in Wandegeya, Kampala.

Exclusive: Up close with the Canons captain

 

BY STAFF WRITER 

The Canons have always been known to nurture break-through stars and put up league championship competition week-in, week-out. This season the team has impressed in spite of the pessimistic attitudes of some pundits towards the team. This team is under the stewardship of a young, high flying captain, JONATHAN EGAU. Ronald Awany sat down with him for a one-on-one interview. Here is the exclusive.

Name: Jonathan Egau

Age: 23

Course: BBA 2

Position: Guard

Schools attended: Pioneer Primary School, Teso College Aloet, St Peter’s College Tororo, St Michael High School Sonde, Kibibi Secondary School, and UCU.

When did you start playing basketball? 

That was in 2006 when I had just joined Teso College Aloet. Back then the Malinga brothers (Henry, Erick, and Alex) were a household name in the local league and the fact that they were from Teso inspired me so much, I wanted to grow up and play basketball like them.

What is your strength on court? 

Jumping! I can jump so high, the reason I find picking rebounds and dunking quiet easy.

How do you manage captaining a team and having so much responsibility at such a young age? 

It is a good feeling that comes with a lot of responsibility. It is important to have the support of my teammates, especially during challenging times.

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

Going pro, and captaining the national side. In fact this year I hope to be called up to the national team.

Do you ever anticipate winning the league during your leadership? 

Yes! This team consists of a fine set of players with great quality and the ability to win the league. We just need to adjust in a few areas and we shall be champions.

How do you spend your free time? 

I go out with friends, a lot. I go swimming too and play a lot of relaxing basketball.

Any role models? 

Dwayne Wade formerly with the Miami Heat and now with the Chicago Bulls, and then locally, Stephen Omony.

What is your favourite meal? 

Smoked goat meat in g-nuts paste and attapa (millet bread)

How do you balance your academics and on court commitments? 

It is always challenging but at the end of the day, I try to draw a balance between the two. On an average day, I have to work out, hit the gym and throw some hoops and at the same time I have to be committed to class obligations.

What is your best and worst game of all time? 

This season’s first leg tie against City Oil was my best. In spite of the fact that we lost 73-72, I had a great game in general and scored 23 points.

My worst is still City Oil, Game Seven of last year’s finals. We could have won the championship yet I felt I could have done more to help the team.

 

BADMINTON: Mihigo wins five in a row, tops league

On form Daniel Mihigo

Badminton ace, Daniel Mihigo stretched his unbeaten streak to 5-0 in the Badminton Development Programme (BDP) national league after beating Ndejje University’s Alex Babu 2-0 in the mens’ singles at the Ntinda Victory Church Courts.

 Mihigo, fresh from winning gold in the All Africa University Games in South Africa, beat Babu 21-11, 21- 15 in two consecutive sets. Babu had earlier defeated teammate and East Africa University Games Champion, Jacob Musisi 2-1.

In the men’s doubles, Mihigo teamed up with UCU coach and teammate, Freddie Kirabo, to beat Makerere University’s Isaac Senfuka and Bruno Masaba 2-0.

Mihigo tops the men’s singles table after winning five out of five games, while he and Kirabo trail the Ndejje University pair of Musisi and Herbert Ebyayo in second place.

NETBALL: UCU players yet to return from the US

STAFF WRITER

Flavia Nakanwagi

Joan Ameo

Uganda rounded off an outstanding performance and finished fourth at the World Netball Championship in Miami, USA, which ended on July 17.

As the team returned to a hero’s welcome on July 18 at Entebbe airport, however, four of its members did not disembark from the plane.

Earlier media reports indicated that the four girls, along with other team officials, would travel the next day due to flight changes.

The girls have since not yet arrived in the country.

By press time, the circumstances under which Susan Atino, Sarah Nakitende and the UCU duo of Flavia Nakanwagi and Joan Ameo did not fly back with the rest of the team, were yet unclear.

Efforts to reach the head of delegation, Ms Penninnah Kabenge, for a comment on the matter were unsuccessful as her known mobile numbers were off.

However, UCU Angels Captain, Alisha Wasagali, and Irene Akello who travelled with the team arrived back safely. Uganda lost 42-41 to Australia in the play-offs.

Golden affair

L-R: Daniel Mihigo, Mary Zawadi, Brenda Nabusindo and Benson Okot pose with their medals (Courtesy photo)

BY RONALD AWANY

UCU has won a total of four gold medals and finished eighth in the continent.

During the eighth edition of the All Africa University Games in the Republic of South Africa, which took place June 26 to July 2, at the University of Johannesburg and the Tshwane University of Technology: the Badminton duo of Daniel Mihigo and Brenda Nabusindo won gold in mixed doubles before each of them won gold in the men’s and women’s singles respectively.

Mihigo later paired up with Botswana’s Tefo Kabomo to win silver in the men’s doubles.

In track and field, Mary Zawadi won gold in the women’s long jump while Benson Okot teamed up with the Kenyans to win bronze in the men’s 4×100 relays.

With only four athletes entered into the competitions, UCU still managed an overall total of four gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze.

Meanwhile archrivals Ndejje University finished third behind co-hosts, Tshwane University of Technology and the University of Johannesburg who finished first and second respectively. Ndejje University won eight gold medals, all from track events.

The other universities from Uganda were Makerere University, Kyambogo University and Busitema University who finished 15th, 24th and 32nd respectively.

UCU Vice Chancellor, Dr John Senyonyi, commended the athletes for their performance.

“It is a very exciting and prideful thing that our students are continuously performing well,” he said.

Dr Senyonyi echoed the need to recognize the achievements of excellent performers across the board, within and outside the UCU community.

“I applaud those students and look forward to meeting and recognizing them in the community. The beauty with UCU is that we have an all-round performance and not just in sports alone,” he said.