AUUS Games 2025: Mwidhu the Wall as UCU Claim Men’s Football Gold Medal

By Kayiira Jackson 

Uganda Christian University (UCU) goalkeeper Elton Mwidhu emerged as the unlikely hero as the hosts were crowned 2025 Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) Games men’s football champions, edging Makerere University 2–1 in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout final in Mukono.

With neither side able to find a breakthrough in an end-to-end final that ended goalless after normal time, the championship was ultimately decided from the spot. It was there that Mwidhu rose to the occasion, producing two decisive penalty saves to tilt the balance in UCU’s favour and ignite wild celebrations among the home fans.

Makerere struggled to beat the UCU shot-stopper, managing just one successful effort from four attempts. Ismail Ogwang was the only player to convert for the visitors, while Musa Male, Kevin Ssekimbega and Emmanuel Ogwang all saw their efforts denied or miss the target. At the other end, Sharif Ssewanyana and Najib Bananywa kept their nerve to score for UCU, despite misses from Patrick Ogola and Reagan Ssekisambu.

The triumph crowned a disciplined and resilient campaign for UCU, who had earlier edged Kampala University 1–0 in a tightly contested semi-final. That match was decided by Sharif Ssewanyana’s towering header, expertly delivered from a Peter Kyomuhedo corner. In the quarter-finals, the hosts had brushed aside Nkumba University 2–0, with Isaac Opejjo and Reagan Ssekisambu on the scoresheet.

For Makerere University, the final marked a long-awaited return to the AUUS men’s football showpiece, their first appearance in 12 years. They booked their place with a dramatic 1–0 semi-final victory over Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), sealed by Innocent Kisolo’s thunderous late strike. Their journey had begun with a narrow quarter-final win over Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Kevin Ssekibengo converting from the penalty spot.

Yet on the grandest stage, it was Mwidhu who made the difference. As Makerere’s penalties fell away one by one, the UCU goalkeeper stood tall, turning pressure into glory and ensuring the AUUS title remained in Mukono. For the hosts, it was a victory built on patience, precision and, above all, the safe hands of their match-winning custodian.