The 2022 FEAUS sports calendar came to an end with the conclusion of the 12th East Africa University Games held 16th to 21st December at Ndejje University. The 6 day event saw over 20 universities participate from 4 countries with over 3000 participants and officials present.
The games saw participants compete in 20 sporting disciplines and these included Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Darts, Handball, Hockey, Karate, Netball, Rugby, Scrabble, Soccer, Swimming, Table tennis, Tae Kwon Do, Tennis, Volleyball, Wood ball, Beach Handball, Goal Ball.
The hosts Ndejje University, showed why they had been chosen to host the games as the activities took place without any major problems thanks to the maximum security from Uganda Police and also the excellent preparations prior to the commence of the games. Despite the slight weather inconveniences brought about by the rain, the activities were able to carry on and end as scheduled due to the multiple facilities that were present.
The live games were broadcast for the very first time courtesy of Ndejje TV and New Vision team broadcasting on Urban TV.
Ugandan Universities were very dominant in the games securing the top three positions in the overall standings.
The hosts, Ndejje University were the overall winners securing 124 medals (59 Gold, 39 Silver and 26 Bronze). This means that they have managed to defend this title again and now they are seven time champions of the games.
Makerere University came in second place managing to bag 68 medals (21 Gold, 20 Silver, and 27 Bronze)
Makerere University Business School (MUBS) were third scooping 40 medals (15 Gold, 6 Silver and 19 Bronze)
Kenyatta Universities clinched fourth place with a total of 63 medals (9 Gold, 21 Silver and 33 Bronze)
The hosts Ndejje University (Uganda) scooped dominated in Basketball (men), Woodball (men), Karate (men), Handball (men and women), Badminton (women), Swimming (Women), Taekwondo (Women), Darts (women) and athletics (men and women).
Makerere University was dominant in the men and women chess, scrabble, tennis, Badminton, Woodball and track and field athletics.
Makerere University Business School (MUBS) capitalized in Swimming, Woodball (women), athletics and Table Tennis.
Busitema felt comfort in Scrabble, while Kampala University humbled Victoria University 68-51 in the Netball final to scoop gold. Bugema University smiled past Islamic University In Uganda (IUIU) 1-0 in the men’s football finals. The women’s football was also a Ugandan affair Uganda Christian University (UCU) taking a hard fought 1-0 win over Kampala University (KU).
Kenyan universities: Strathmore reigned in Rugby, Kenyatta University in Hockey and Table Tennis, KEMU in Taekwondo, Kisii University in Darts.
Over the course of the 6 days several dignitaries embrace the games and these included the following:
The deputy Prime Minister of Uganda Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the State Minister for higher education, Dr. Miyingo Chrystom, State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, the General Secretary for National Council of Sports Dr. Patrick Ogwel and Area Member of Parliament (Katikamu South) Hon. Hassan Kirumira.
The president of FEAUS, Dr. Simon Munai commended the friendship shown during the games. “I wish to acknowledge the comradery that has been evident since the start of the games, we’ve had great friendship from Kenyans, Ugandans and Tanzanians.”
The Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University, Professor Eriab Lugunjju commented on the peace exhibited at the games “This has been the most peaceful and harmonious event because of excellent planning and monitoring.” He also highlighted on the potential that East Africa has “On introspection, I have realized that our east African region is swimming in a sea of potential that if well enhanced and promoted can yield more world class athletes.”
The State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang highlighted on the fruits of sports “your active and continued participation in sports will reward you rich dividends in terms of fitness, wellbeing, social capital, opportunities and happiness.” He added by committing government support towards infrastructural development “I would like to commit on behalf of government that support towards the pledge made by His excellency the President, we will work together to make sure that the pledge is fulfilled for infrastructural development of sports in this great University.”
The minister also pledged to help all athletes who have excelled “As a minister of sports, whatever athletes who have been identified from here who qualify for national Championship. I will put my commitment to support you for international competition as a country, Uganda.”
At the end of the day it was evident that Ndejje University benefitted from hosting the Games after attracting big partners and the government of Uganda sinking in huge sums of money in the facility development.