FENCING
Fencing is a combat sport in which two competitors fight using ‘rapier-style’ swords. The object of fencing is to use your weapon to strike your opponent whilst avoiding being hit yourself. The sport is simple, ruthless and – if you get it wrong, painful. Competitive fencing takes on three varieties; foil, sabre and epée.

Rules of the Game:
• Fencers must salute one another and the referee at the beginning and end of the bout, with failure to do so can result in the loss of a point (the winner) or even suspension (the loser).
• Points are scored by hitting your opponent in accordance with the specific requirements for the type of weapon being used.
• In foil, strikes outside the target area stop the contest before resuming afresh, however strikes with the blade do not stop the action; the latter rule also applies to the epée.
• Barging the opponent, using your hand to cover the target zone or foot faults can lead to a points penalty at the referee’s discretion.

Scoring:
Scoring is done differently in the three variants of fencing. When using the foil only strikes to the torso, neck, groin and back count and points can only be won using the tip of the weapon, not the side of the blade. With the sabre strikes beneath the waist do not count. Competitors may use both the tip and blade of the sabre to score. With the epée the right of way rule does not apply and both fencers may score simultaneously. Only the tip of the weapon may be used and the entire body is a target in epée.

Duration:
Matches are contested over three three-minute rounds, with the winner being either the first to 15 points or whoever has the most hits after the three rounds.

Players and Equipment:
The main equipment is the weapons of three kinds: the epée is the heaviest sword, the foil is a lighter thrusting weapon, and the sabre is a cutting and thrusting weapon derived from the cavalry sword.
Fencers must wear a variety of protective attire that includes a mask, helmet, fencing jacket, pads and a glove on the weapon hand are also require, with other pads to protect various areas of the body.
A fencing match takes place on a strip or piste that is 46 feet long and around six feet wide.

Fencing in Uganda:
Fencing was founded in Uganda in 2006 and Uganda Fencing Association is the body mandated to promote the sport of Fencing in Uganda and is registered with National Council of Sports.

CHAIRMAN:
Kenneth Oringo

SECRETARY:
Carolyn Joan Adongo

ADDRESS:
Plot 2-10 Coronation Avenue
P.O. Box 2610, Kampala
E: ugandafencing@gmail.com