May 2019

Justice Adonyo opens Sports Law workshop

By USPA Media

Justice Dr. Henry Adonyo the Executive Director Judicial Training institute has urged the Uganda Olympic committee to partner with Justice ministry and Uganda law society to form the sports dispute resolution committee.

Adonyo made the appeal in his speech while officially opening the international sports Law Programme at Sheraton Hotel Kampala on Friday June 31,2019.

UOC Secretary General Dr. Donald Rukare and head of Legal Commision Moses Mwase (L) and 2nd eft during the International Sports Law Workshop at sheraton Hotel. PHOTO BY JOHNSON WERE

“I must admit that Uganda Judicial System is not much equipped with the sports Law knowledge and this leads to delay in decision taking in the sports related cases because there is a lot of research needed,” Justice Adonyo noted.

Justice Henry Adonyo addressing Participants in the International sports Law workshop at Sheraton Hotel Kampala. PHOTO BY JOHNSON WERE

The three-day workshop has attracted participants from 18 African countries together with sports law professor John White and sports lawyer Dev Kumar from Spain.

UOC president William Blick noted that the workshop is aimed at equipping Uganda judicial system with sports law which lead into the formation of an African sports Judicial system.

END.

Odera is Kenya Simbas Coach

Odera is Kenya Coach

By Johnson Were

Kenya U-20 National rugby team, the Chipu head coach Paul Odera has been appointed Head coach for the national senior 15s side” the Simba”.

Odera comes in as Head Coach Odera replacing New Zealand technical bench of Ian Snook who left the team.

Odera this year led the Kenya Chipu to the Junior World Cup tournament for the second time.

The first time was in 2009 when Kenya hosted the tournament. He holds a World Rugby Level 3 Coaching Certificate and is also a World Rugby Coach Educator besides being a teacher at Peponi House Preparatory School.

Kenya Simbas in green battle the Rugby Cranes in return leg of the Elgon Cup in Nairobi

His technical team shall comprise of Jimmy Mnene (Team Manager), Ben Mahinda (Team Physiotherapist), Edwin Boit (Team Analyst), Michael Owino (Strength and Conditioning Coach) and Albertus Van Buuren (Backs Coach).

Mnene and Owino have worked together with Odera for the last four years as the management of Chipu.

Mahinda has been part of the Lionesses technical team while Boit has worked with Chipu and Simbas in previous assignments providing comprehensive analysis of each player’s statistics after training sessions and matches.

The teams Odera has coached known for being disciplined, intelligent, well organized, skilful and creative as witnessed with Chipu.

He has 20 years’ experience and coaching in Independent Schools in Kenya, South Africa and New Zealand.
With the cancellation of the 2019 Rugby Africa Gold Cup competition, the team does not have many fixtures and the Union is working hard to fill the calendar.

The Confirmed games for this season so far are Elgon Cup matches against Uganda on the 22nd of June in Kisumu and on 13th July in Kampala, Uganda.

On Saturday 1st June, KRU will hold trials at the RFUEA Grounds to select the provisional Simbas squad that will represent Kenya in the 2019 Elgon Cup fixtures.
Other matches will be confirmed as the International season continues. The Union is keen to revive the Victoria Cup to fill the gap left by the cancellation of the Gold Cup.

END.

UAF stakes 14m for Akii Bua Meet

USPA Media

Athletes battle it out in the 100m men during the 3rd national trial at Namboole Stadium on Saturday January 6,2018. PHPOTO BY JOHNSON WERE

Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) set aside sh14 million as prize money for winners in the 21^st edition of the Akii Bua Memorial Track and Field Meet due June1,2019 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

The development comes in the wake of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) granting Uganda world ranking status to the Akii Bua Meet.

The prize money is for the top 8 finishers in each of the 10 selected events is expected increase quality of performance, competition and attractiveness of the event.

The reconsidered the 400m hurdles as a special event in memory of Akii Bua Olympic gold and more participants will be invited for the event.

“This year we decided to introduce a dual qualification system that combines both the traditional method of achieving the entry standards and the new World Ranking System, to determine which athletes are eligible for Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 selection,” UAF publicist Namayo Mawerere noted.

Invitation events will have sh13.9m cash prize and sh14.9m will go to open events .

Buffaloes usher in first circuit of Roke Telkom Sevens

By Dorothy Nekesa

Roke Telecommunications Company have been announced as the official title sponsor of this year’s National Sevens Series to be held across different venues of the country.

The tournament, which will kick-off on May 25, 2019 at Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala with the Toyota Buffaloes circuit, will see 18 teams battle for the title currently held by Stanbic Pirates.

Roke Telkom are a public service provider of internet for voice and data communications.

While speaking at the unveiling of the sponsorship, the Uganda Rugby Union CEO, Ramsey Olinga thanked Roke Telkom for supporting the sport and rallying behind the Union. He also unveiled the tournament name for 2019.

“I want to thank Roke Telkom for being cognizant of the support the Union, teams and players needed this year and coming to rally behind us,” he said, adding that, “As is the tradition, this year’s series will be known as the ‘National Roke Telkom Sevens Series’ and can easily be referred to as ‘Roke 7s Series’”.

Olinga extended the union’s appreciation to the Guinness brand for accepting to provide support as a participating partner to the tournament.

Alex Bazirake, in charge of Roke Telkom’s Corporate Relations, expressed the company’s gratitude to URU for the opportunity and pledged to continue supporting the sport to the best of their ability.

He explained that Roke Telkom took on this sponsorship because the brand is keen on supporting Ugandan sports, in addition to bringing internet to the region, more specifically through the company’s Roke Plus product that offers free internet in the evenings and throughout the weekend.

Bazirake said that, “We are proud to associate with Rugby in Uganda. As part of our sponsorship, we will be facilitating all competing teams and officials as well as providing referee uniforms and team training kits to allow them concentrate on their pre-match trainings and on delivering a thrilling experience to fans.”

Roke Telkom will provide affordable Wi-Fi Rokespot internet connections on matchdays including upcountry at locations where there is connectivity, while media will be treated to free internet from Roke Telkom throughout the tournament”.

Cathy Twesigye, on behalf of Uganda Breweries said, “I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate Guinness’ commitment to rugby and restate how proud we are to be part of this tournament. The game and the players are a perfect embodiment of Guinness. Full of character, Bold and Made of More. It’s for that reason that our support for rugby is unwavering.”

Stanbic Pirates captain Ivan Magomu promised a competitive edition this year.

“We shall not settle for less as defending champions because this is our time. l thank Roke Telkom this but ears title sponsor as well as Guiness for partnering with Rugby to make the 7’s more fun and entertaining.

Masaka and Mbale are this year’s new hosts in a bid for Rugby to cover more grounds

This year’s schedule:

Saturday 25th May 2019
Buffaloes 7s at Kyadondo

Saturday 1st June 2019
Buddu 7s in Masaka

Saturday 15th June 2019
Henry Rujumba Memorial 7s at Kings Park

Saturday 6th July 2019
Heathens 7s at Kyadondo

Saturday 20th July 2019
Coronation 7s at Legends

Saturday 3rd August 2019
Jinja 7s at Dam Waters

Saturday 17th August 2019
Mbale 7s in Mbale

Saturday 24th August 2019
Edward Kitaka Memorial 7s hosted by Kobs at Legends

Azira, Luwagga recalled to Cranes squad ahead of UAE camp

Uganda Cranes head coach Sebastien Desabre has released a 26-man squad that will fly out to United Arab Emirates for a training camp as the Cranes continue their preparations for the 2019 AFCON show piece in Egypt.

Part of the Cranes squad has been undergoing a week-long residential training at Kabira Country club with 11 out of the 19 players in camp chosen to continue preparations for the June-July tournament.

From the 11 local based players that were named yesterday, Desabre today afternoon added 15 players who ply their trade in different foreign leagues.

And the biggest surprise of them all was the return of Micheal Azira the holding midfielder who plays for Montreal Impact in the USA’s major league soccer.

Azira was part of the 23-man squad which represented Uganda at the 2017 tournament in Gabon but had a horror showing playing just 49 minutes; starting the game against Ghana before he was hauled off at half time and later coming on as a 90 minute substitute against Mali in the Cranes last group game.

Since then he has not featured or been called up again for national duty.

Also, Kizito Luwagga makes a return to the squad after the AFCON qualifier game against Tanzania in Namboole.

Dennis Iguma will miss out on the tournament due to injury while forwards Milton Kaliisa (FC Oudja), Austrian based Edrisa Lubega, former KCCA forward Muhamad Shabban and Yunus Sentamu have all been shunned by Desabre.

Sweden based striker Alexis Bakka will make his Cranes debut during the tournament. He is joined by another Sweden based defender Ronald Mukiibi who plays for Ostersunds.

Mukiibi was called up for Cranes duty for the 2017 tournament but declined the call up.

KCCA shot stopper Charles Lukwago is expected to link up with the team after the Cosafa tournament in South Africa.

The full Squad to Abu Dhabi:

Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns-South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al Hilal-Sudan), Robert Odongkara (Adama City FC-Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC-Uganda).

Defenders: Bevis Mugabi (Yeovil Town- England), Nicholas Wadada (Azam FC-Tanzania), Awanyi Timothy (KCCA FC-Uganda), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Unattached), Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds-Sweden), Murushid Juuko (Simba-Tanzania), Godfrey Walsumbi (Unattached), Muleme Isaac ( FK Viktoria Zizkov- Czech Republic), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe-DR Congo)

Midfielders: Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC-Uganda), Khalid Aucho (Church Hill Brothers Fc-India), Kirizestom Ntambi- Coffee FC –Ethiopia), Michael Azira (Montreal-USA), Waisswa Moses (Vipers SC-Uganda), Sadam Juma (KCCA FC-Uganda), Faruku Miya (HNK Gorica FC- Croatia), Kizito Luwagga (Shakhter Karagandy-Kazakhstan), Katregga Allan ( Maritzburg-South Africa)

Strikers: Patrick Kaddu (KCCA FC-Uganda), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA FC-Uganda), Alexis Bakka (Carlstad United- Sweden), Nsibambi Derrick (Smouha- Egypt), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Simba- Tanzania)

Kabaka Mutebi to grace 2019 Airtel-sponsored Masaza Cup opening game

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi is expected to grace the first game of this year’s prestigious Buganda Kingdom football showpiece, the Airtel Masaza Cup.

Defending champions Ssingo will host Ssese at the Mityana Ssaza Grounds, on Saturday, June 1.

The announcement was made by Buganda Kingdom First Deputy Prime Minister Twaha Kawaase during the launch of the 2019 edition at Bulange, Mengo in Kampala on Monday at which telecommunications giants Airtel Uganda announced a Shs400M sponsorship package.

This is the fourth year in a row that Airtel are title sponsors of the competition, injecting in Shs400m annually.

Each of these 18 teams – all from different Buganda Kingdom regions – will receive Shs5M for a start to assist in the initial preparations as well as two sets of jerseys.

“I would like to confirm that his Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II will preside over the opening game between Ssingo and Ssese,” he said.

Speaking at the same function, Airtel Head of Brand and Communications Remmie Kisakye said the competition has been a birth place for many stars on the Uganda Cranes.

“This prestigious tournament has given rise to many stars like Tony Mawejje, Diego Hamis Kiiza, Mike Serumaga, Robert Odongkara, Brian Umony, Joseph Ochaya, Pius Wangi, Yasser Mugerwa, Miya Farouk and Godfrey Walusimbi,” she noted.

This Airtel Masaza Cup does not allow the use of players who feature in the FUFA Big League, Uganda Premier League and on the respective national team.

The 2019 Masaza cup groups

MASENGERE GROUP: Ssingo, Bugerere, Buvuma, Gomba, Ssese

BUTIKKIRO GROUP: Buddu, Mawogola, Mawokota, Bulemezi, Kooki

MUGANZIRWAZA GROUP: Busujju, Kabula, Kyaggwe, Butambala

BULANGE GROUP: Buwekula, Busiro, Kyadondo, Buluuli

Mutebi, Kaddu Decorated UPL’s best April

By Dorothy Nekesa

KCCA Coach Mike Hillary Mutebi and striker Patrick Henry Kaddu, were on Monday crowned April’s best following their outstanding performance in the Uganda Premier League.

The KCCA tactician helped his side scoop their 13th title with 66 points. He won the monthly accolade last year in December and April silverware came in handy with the League title.

Mutebi beat Tooro United’s Wasswa Bbosa to the award for guiding KCCA to four wins out of the six games played in April and May. KCCA held rivals Vipers before beating Paidha and Express in away ties. They went on to seal their victory with a point against Ndejje University.

A happy Mutebi assured USPA media that these awards are key motivation to players and coaches.

“Uganda Premier League awards have boosted not only player performance but also encouraged excellence within the clubs coaching departments. We are grateful to the organizers for this initiative as it has placed competition levels a notch higher,” Mutebi said.

Both winners bagged Shs1 million each and the Uganda Premier League accolades..