pressug.com News 24 7
Related Articles
By Kayiira Jackson
Uganda Christian University (UCU) summoned the heart of champions in the dying moments to clinch the 2025 Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) Netball title, edging Kampala University (KU) 24–23 in a pulsating final played on home court in Mukono.
For much of the contest, it was Kampala University that looked in control. The former champions dictated the early tempo, taking the first quarter 5–4 before carrying a slim 11–10 advantage into the halftime break. Their defensive discipline, marshalled superbly by Goal Defender Gloria Aya, frustrated the hosts and kept UCU chasing the game.
Ayaa was immense at the back, finishing the final with six interceptions and seven steals, numbers that underlined KU’s defensive resolve. But finals are often decided by moments, not statistics—and UCU found theirs when it mattered most.
The hosts emerged from the halftime interval with renewed purpose, clawing back to level the scores at 17–17 by the end of the third quarter. What followed was a nerve-shredding final stanza, played at breakneck pace and under intense pressure from the available fans.
With just 90 seconds left on the clock and trailing by two goals, UCU refused to fold. A late surge, driven by composure in attack and resilience in defence, saw the hosts overturn the deficit to snatch victory by a single goal, sealing a dramatic 24–23 win and sparking wild celebrations.
The triumph capped a dominant tournament run for UCU, who had stormed into the final with a commanding 43–23 semi-final demolition of Makerere University. They controlled that contest from start to finish, winning all four quarters convincingly to reach their second successive AUUS final.
Kampala University’s route to the final was equally impressive. They edged Nkumba University 22–18 in a tightly contested semi-final, steadily building their lead across the four quarters to book a blockbuster showdown with the hosts. Both finalists arrived unbeaten, topping their respective groups with a perfect winning record.
Earlier in the knockout stages, UCU had brushed aside St. Lawrence University 31–16 in the quarter-finals, while KU powered past Bugema University 36–23 to keep their title ambitions alive.
The championship decider, dubbed a “clash of titans,” brought the curtain down on a seven-day tournament that ran from 18th to 23rd December 2025. A total of 12 universities competed, drawn into three groups of four, making this year’s AUUS Games one of the most competitive editions on record.
Meanwhile, Makerere University surprised the crowd when they comfortably beating Nkumba University 32-26 to settle for a bronze medal.
