On Monday-July 30, East African Breweries through their brand Pilsner Lager, come out and gave the FUFA Super 8 a major boost days before its official kick-off. The beverage company sponsored the maiden tournament with a package of 90 million and this was confirmed during the launch of the tournament at the breweries headquarters in Luzira.
Still on Monday-July 30, Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) commemorated the International chess day with a Tournament held in Jinja. The one day event took place at the Source Gardens, ending with D Mark Chess Club being crowned as the overall winners after fending off stiff competition from Chess Warriors who finished second.
On the same day, it was confirmed that Uganda’s Men and Women teams had qualified for the FIBA 3*3 Africa Cup slatted for November in Togo after finishing fourth and third respectively in the qualifiers held in Madagascar.
Godfrey Cadribo, a young footballer who has been studying at Uganda Christian Christian University (UCU) in Mukono departed for the United States of America on Tuesday-July 31. Cadribo had also been a scorer in Park FC which features in the National Futsal League. The 20 year old landed a sport scholarship with North Carolina Wesleyan College where he will double his studies with football, playing for the College Men’s soccer team.
Still on Tuesday-August 31, Mpindi Clan triumphed over Mmamba Kakoboza to take the first slot in the 2018 Bika Bya Baganda football grand finale. None of the teams scored in the return leg at Wankulukuku meaning that Mpindi qualified thanks to a1-0 aggregate score line having carried the opening leg played a week back at the same venue.
On Wednesday-August 1, KCCA FC announced the signing of another player from 16 time record league champions SC Villa. Nicholas Kasozi who had been at Villa for two years completed a move to the reigning Uganda Cup champions on Monday evening. The move was confirmed by the Kasasiro Boys through a video posted on their twitter handle like it has become the norm at the Lugogo based side of late when announcing new arrivals. Kasozi joined former Villla captain Bernard Muwanga and midfielder Allan Kyambadde as the latest players to depart troubled Villa for eternal rivals, KCCA FC in the current transfer window.
Still on Wednesday-August 1, former Vipers SC head coach Miguel Da Costa landed a new job with Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy FC. The Portuguese who was fired just less than two months after guiding Vipers to a first league title in three years is believed to have signed a three year deal with the Botswana Premier League side. He was at Vipers for one and a half years, winning one major title and losing the 2018 Uganda Cup final to KCCA FC.
The organizers of the NSSF KAVC international got another timely boost from an Agro Processing company based in Paliisa on Wdnesday-August, days before the start of the tournament. Chairman LOC, Peter Buyondo received the 3Million shillings from Mr Sadik Nasiwu, Director of the Rice Processing plant at the UOC offices in Lugogo.
The Uganda Cranes on Wednesday morning lost 3-2 to KCCA in a buildup up game as they intensify preparation for the Cranes regional tour. Yassar Mugerwa and Joel Madondo were on the score sheet for the side on the day while new recruits Allan Kyambadde netted two and Sulaiman Mutyaba (1) for Mike Mutebi’s side. This was all part of efforts to intensify their preparations for the tour of Eastern Region in Bugiri this weekend.
With just over a month to the start of the new Big League season, money bags Wakiso giants started their preseason training on Wednesday-August 1. Under the watchful eye and guidance of former SC Villa, Lweza and and Mbarara City FC tactician, Ibrahim Kirya, the team conducted its first training session at IUIU University in Kabojja. All the 22 squad players were present on day one of preparations with only Steven Bengo (thigh) and Swaibu Mude (illness) not taking part in the day’s drills.
On Thursday-August 2, Charging Rhinos had to do it the hard way in order to earn a win over Our Saviour in one of the two FUBA National Basketball League (NBL) games played at the MTN Arena. The Rhinos required overtime with the scores tied at 74 all after normal time to win the game 88-84.
Still on Thursday-August 2, Police FC become the latest team to opt out of the inaugural Pilsner FUFA Super 8 tournament. This came just days to the start of the tournament after draws were conducted on Monday morning and the Cops drawn against 16 time record league champions SC Villa. The Cops who were not initially slated to take part in the tournament were invited to replace reigning league champions Vipers SC who also withdrew sighting other off-season engagements.
On Thursday-August 2, Timothy Toroitich won bronze in the 10,000m finals at the 21st Africa Senior Athletics Championships. Toroitich needed to fend off competition from Kenya’s Vincent Kipsang to finish third in a time of 29 minutes and 11.87 seconds.
On Friday-August 3, the Uganda Cranes conducted their last training at the Startimes Stadium ahead of their Eastern tour slated for this weekend. Sebastien Desabre, the team coach was happy to see a number of players who tuned up and he was positive that the team will do well in the East. He added that players like Yassar Mugrewa, Moses Oloya and Murushid Jjuuko are good players and their fitness levels are superb and he’s optimistic that the boys will put on a good show. The last Cranes tour match was against Kitara and the team could only manage a 2-2 draw with Allan Kyambadde and Dan Sserunkuma on the score sheet for Desabre’s side.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Ivan Mangomu would not take part on Saturday as the Uganda Rugby Cranes faced Tunisia in the Africa Gold Cup 2018. After losing the first two games to Namibia (06-55) and Kenya (22-38), John Duncan’s charges must collect maximum points this time round to stand a chance of at least making the Repechage competition as automatic qualification to the 2019 Rugby World cup looks less likely. As part of preparations for the Tunisia game, Duncan summoned a team of 22 players that will feature on Saturday.
The FUFA Competitions committee on Friday-August 3, released the FUFA Women Elite League groups for the upcoming season. Like in the past, the league will feature two groups, each consisting of eight teams. The two groups maintained their names; Victoria and Elizabeth.
Still on Friday-August 3, the FUBA National Basketball League (NBL) would return in evening with two games in the Men’s division. Last year’s finalist KIU Titans and City Oilers would face off in the late kick off of the day with second spot high on the agenda. This would be the second meeting between the two sides after Oilers swept the Kansanga based side in the play-off finals on route to lifting a fifth consecutive crown early this year. The league leaders BetWay Power would also be in action against JKL Dolphins.
