Uganda Technical College, UTC Lira, and Uganda Technical College, UTC Elgon, have jointly claimed the championship of the 6th edition of the National Intercollegiate Games and Sports 2024, each securing 6 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal. The event, hosted by Uganda College of Commerce, Kabale, showcased robust competition among nearly 20 participating institutions from across the nation.
The games, which ran from April 10th, featured a range of both indoor and outdoor sports, attracting substantial interest from students, alumni, and sports enthusiasts. The final day’s highlight was a nail-biting football match at Kabale Main Stadium between Uganda College of Commerce Kabale and Uganda College of Commerce Aduku. The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout where UCC Aduku edged out a 5-4 victory.
Mike Olgwang, captain of the victorious UCC Aduku team, shared his thoughts post-match. “It was a fair match, though we didn’t anticipate it going to penalties. However, we felt confident about our chances in the shootout as we had put in a lot of practice,” he said.
CPA Rollings Matsiko, chairperson for alumni at UCC Kabale, expressed pride in hosting the games. “It’s an honor to host the 6th edition. Despite challenges like allegations of teams using non-student players, we’re moving towards a digital verification system to prevent such issues in the future,” Matsiko remarked.
The principal of UCC Kabale, Bernard Nuwagira, also addressed the issue, noting ongoing investigations into complaints about ineligible players. “We’re committed to ensuring fairness and integrity in these competitions,” Nuwagira stated.
Hajarah Ddembe, Principal Education Officer in the Ministry of Education and Sport’s physical education department, emphasized the games’ role in enhancing institutional visibility and fostering linkages. “Our screening teams worked diligently to ensure all players were eligible, sidelining any doubtful cases,” Ddembe explained.
Sam Odongo, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Physical Education, closed the games with a call for discipline and participation. “These games are not just about competition; they are about building character and community among students. We urge all participants to uphold the spirit and rules of the games,” Odongo concluded.
The event not only highlighted the athletic prowess of the students but also underscored ongoing efforts to improve transparency and fairness in collegiate sports across Uganda.
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