Nkumba University produced a commanding display across several disciplines as universities marked International Women’s Day with a sports gala at Ham Stadium yesterday.
The Entebbe-based university fronted teams in netball, basketball, and women’s football, returning home with a title, a runners-up finish, and a fourth-place result in a tournament that attracted 11 universities.
Nkumba’s biggest highlight came in women’s football where the team emerged champions after an impressive run.
“We are proud of the effort the players showed throughout the tournament,” Sports Tutor, Joseph Muyiira said after the final match. “Winning the trophy is not only important for the university but also for the continued growth of women’s football in our institutions.”
The victory carries even greater significance as the team automatically secured the right to represent Uganda at the upcoming Africa University Games scheduled for August 2026 in Cairo, Egypt.
Nkumba also impressed in netball where the side finished second after a series of competitive encounters, narrowly missing out on the top prize.
Meanwhile, the university’s basketball team settled for fourth place in a tightly contested competition that featured some of the country’s strongest university sides.
“The players gave their best in all the disciplines,” Muyiira added. “Events like these are important because they expose athletes to competition and help universities assess the progress of their sports programs.”
The annual International Women’s Day sports gala has increasingly become a key platform for promoting women’s participation in sport at tertiary institutions. The event brings together female athletes from universities across the country to compete while also celebrating the achievements of women in different spheres of society.
Globally observed every March 8, International Women’s Day highlights the social, economic and political achievements of women while advocating for gender equality.
Within Uganda’s university sports ecosystem, the commemorative games have in recent years evolved into an important avenue for talent identification and development in disciplines such as football, netball and basketball.
For Nkumba University, the strong showing at this year’s event further reinforces its ambition to build competitive women’s teams capable of excelling not only on the local stage but also on the continental front when they travel to Cairo for the Africa University Games in 2026.
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