FOOTBALL
It has taken a period of 10 years for a Ugandan Club to win the CECAFA Kagame Cup, and it took KCCA FC last week to its second trophy, which the club last won in 1978. KCCA FC defeated Tanzania’s Azam Football Club, also the defending champions 1-0 to emerge the 2019 champions in Kigali, Rwanda. Since inception of the tournament in 1967, Uganda has won 6 titles in total, with previous Ugandan Clubs champions being Villa SC (1987, 2003 and 2005) and Police FC (2006).

Uganda finished in 7th position at the 15th Netball World Cup 2019 in Liverpool, England; one place improvement from the previous 2015 Sydney edition. The 2019 performance is the best the country has attained since the inaugural edition of the tournament in 1963. Uganda’s first appearance in 1979, had the team finish in 12th position while in 2015, Uganda completed in 8th position.

NETBALL
In 1979, Uganda made its first appearance at the Netball World Cup and finished in 12th position, thereafter the She Cranes qualified for the 2015 edition in Sydney, Australia and finished in 8th position. Uganda is now set to make its 3rd appearance at the 15th Netball World Cup hosted in Liverpool, England from the 12th to 21st July 2019.

Uganda's opening game is against hosts and Commonwealth Games champions England in Group D today, Friday 12th July 2019 at 08:00pm.

The Sports Budget has witnessed gradual improvement to the current Ugx.26.4 Billion as provided for in the National Budget for the Financial Year 2019/2020. The augmented funding of National Council of Sports presents an opportunity for improved sports performance for Uganda's Sports athletes at National and international level and Uganda is now a force in sports. The improvements are as a result of deliberate government efforts to support and enable the sports athletes to thrive at different sports engagements.

NETBALL
Uganda, alongside South Africa, Zimbabwe and Malawi will represent Africa at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England from 12th to 21st July 2019. The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports on Thursday 04th July 2019 flagged off the She Cranes team comprising of 13 players and 8 officials at State House Nakasero. The Government of Uganda provided all the funds for team’s participation in the world meet.

The Uganda Cranes continue with stellar performance at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations underway in Egypt.

On 30th June 2019, the Cranes lost 0-2 to Egypt, however progressed to the next round of 16 knockout phase. Uganda is today set to play against Senegal. Earlier on, Uganda defeated DR Congo 2-0 and thereafter drew 1-1 against Zimbabwe.

FOOTBALL
Uganda is making its 7th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and this year’s edition is being hosted in Egypt from 21st to 19th July 2019. Uganda has had an impressive start with a 2-0 win against DR Congo in the opening match, goals courtesy of Patrick Kaddu and Emma Okwi. While in the second game, Emma Okwi again scored for Uganda to draw 1- 1 against Zimbabwe. Africa’s best goal keeper and Cranes Captain Dennis Onyango was on top form to ensure the exceptional performance.

FOOTBALL

MINISTER’S FORUM

On Tuesday May 28, the state minister for sports, Hon. Charles Bakkabulindi, hosted the first Minister’s Forum as mandated in Section 17 of the 2014 Statutory Instrument.

The forum brought together heads of national associations and federations’ president/chairman’s and their general secretaries/chief executive officers.

The open forum had associations demand that National Council of Sports (NCS) comes up with a threshold figure of money given to associations.

Also, tax waivers on sports equipment and the need for planning were discussed.

When the 2019/2020 National Budget is read out in June, the sports subsector will be smiling following an increment from Shs17bn to Shs26bn.

This was confirmed by the acting general secretary National Council of Sports (NCS) Dr. Benard Patrick Ogwel during the Capacity Building Workshop for Financial Mangers of National Sports Associations, held at the Copper Chimney Restaurant Conference Hall, Lugogo.