Ndejje, UCU Dominate as 20th AUUS Games Climax

By Lawrence Mubiru 

The 20th Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) Games concluded in spectacular fashion at Uganda Christian University (UCU), with Ndejje University and the hosts emerging as the dominant forces in a championship that celebrated excellence, resilience and the growing stature of university sport in Uganda.

Held from December 18 to 23, 2025, the multi-sport event brought together over 20 universities competing across 19 disciplines. For six days, UCU’s facilities were transformed into a theatre of high-intensity competition, dramatic upsets and commanding performances, reaffirming the AUUS Games as the pinnacle of campus sport in the country.

Ndejje University finished top of the overall medal standings with 17 medals — 10 gold, four silver and three bronze — a reflection of their depth and consistency across several disciplines.

Host UCU followed closely with 18 medals, including nine gold, six silver and three bronze, capping a strong home campaign built largely on dominance in team sports. Makerere University placed third overall, buoyed by solid displays in swimming, chess and football, while Kampala International University (KIU) and Kampala University rounded out the top five.

Athletics once again played a decisive role, with Ndejje asserting authority on the track and in the field. Their athletes swept multiple gold medals across sprints, middle-distance and field events, while UCU, Bugema University and Bishop Stuart University also made their presence felt on the podium. UCU particularly thrilled home supporters in the relay races, producing polished performances in both the 4x100m and 4x400m events.

In team sports, UCU turned their home venue into a fortress. The hosts claimed gold in men’s football, basketball (men and women), volleyball (men and women), netball and men’s table tennis. Their football triumph over Makerere University in the final crowned an unbeaten run, while the basketball teams dominated throughout the tournament.

Elsewhere, Victoria University won the Rugby 7s title with an emphatic final victory over Uganda Martyrs University.

The Games also highlighted the rise of mind and precision sports. Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) dominated Scrabble, while Kampala University excelled in men’s chess and women’s handball. Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) enjoyed a memorable outing, collecting gold in women’s Scrabble team and women’s pool, alongside several podium finishes in darts and Scrabble.

Swimming and karate lived up to expectations, with Ndejje University and Makerere University sharing much of the swimming honours, while Ndejje and KIU produced disciplined and technically sound performances in karate across various weight categories.

Beyond the medals, the 2025 AUUS Games told deeper stories of transition and resilience. At Ndejje University, recent administrative changes had led to a reduction in sports-related expenditure, resulting in the departure of some student-athletes. Yet those who remained responded emphatically on the field of play, delivering performances that reaffirmed the institution’s long-standing identity as one of Uganda’s most competitive sporting universities.

As flags were lowered and the final medals awarded, the 20th AUUS Games left a lasting legacy — not only of records and rankings, but of unity, sportsmanship and rising standards. With UCU lauded for hosting a well-organised championship and universities pushing new performance boundaries, the AUUS Games continue to shape the future of Ugandan sport, one campus at a time.