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By Kayiira Jackson
Kampala University (KU) and hosts Uganda Christian University (UCU) will take centre stage in the 2025 Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) Games Netball Championship final after both sides delivered commanding semi-final performances to underline their favourite status.
UCU, playing in front of a buoyant home crowd in Mukono, produced a dominant display to sweep aside Makerere University 43–23 and book a second successive appearance in the final. The hosts were in control from the opening whistle, taking the four quarters 10–5, 24–8, 34–15 and eventually 43–23 to seal a convincing win.
UCU head coach Nelson Bogere praised his players for another authoritative outing but also acknowledged the resistance posed by Makerere, particularly in the early stages of the contest.
“I am very happy that the girls displayed a masterclass performance again,” Bogere said. “I don’t rule out Makerere for the challenge they put out in the first two quarters, though we managed to stay on top. About the final, every team that reaches this stage is good. Kampala University has many quality players, but it will come down to who handles the game better on the day.”
UCU captain Linda Muzigo echoed her coach’s confidence, stressing the importance of teamwork as the hosts chase glory on home soil.
“The fact that we are going to the final means a lot,” Muzigo said. “Our intention is to work as a team and do our level best so that we take the victory home, especially since we are playing at our home ground.”
In the second semifinal, Kampala University showed why they remain one of the most consistent forces in university netball, edging Nkumba University 22–18 in a hard-fought second semi-final. KU controlled the tempo across all four quarters, leading 7–4, 14–7 and 18–12 before holding firm in the final period to complete the job.
KU captain Gloria Aya described the semi-final as a vital test ahead of the title decider.
“The semi-final against Nkumba was very competitive,” Aya said. “It was a good game and I think it has prepared us well for the final.”
Both finalists arrive at the decider with flawless records. Kampala University and UCU topped their respective groups with a 100 percent winning run before easing through the quarter-finals. UCU brushed aside St. Lawrence University 31–16, while KU powered past Bugema University 36–23 to set up their semi-final clashes.
The much-anticipated “clash of the titans” final will be staged on Monday, 23rd December, at Uganda Christian University in Mukono, bringing down the curtain on a seven-day tournament that began on 18th December. A total of 12 teams competed in this year’s championship, drawn into three groups of four, but it is Kampala University and UCU who now stand one win away from AUUS netball glory.
