How Ndejje University became King of Eastern Africa University Games 2014

Ndejje University successfully defended the 9^th Eastern Africa University games overall title at the games that ended 21st December 2014 at Uganda Christian University (UCU) main campus, Mukono in Uganda.

The Luweero based institution (Ndejje University) garnered a total of 98 medals that included 34 gold, 28 silver and 36 bronze.

Kampala International University (KIU) become second with 57 total medals of 32, 14 and 11 gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.

“We are so delighted. The victory for Ndejje is a manifestation that our university’s investment in sports facilities, recruitment of athletes has eventually reaped fruits” an excited Paul Mark Kayongo, the sports Tutor and Bursar at Ndejje University confirmed to The Campus Times.

Hosts Uganda Christian University collected 13 gold medals, 15 silver and 14 bronze to finish third overall while the best foreign university was Kenya’s Kenyatta University that got 12 gold, 18 silver and 19 bronze to cement the fourth slot.

Ndejje University won gold in Woodball (9), Athletics (9), Swimming (4),Taekwondo (3), Table Tennis (2), Karate (1), Darts (2) and Badminton (4)

In some of the individual disciplines, Kenyan Methodist University won women’s football with Kyambogo taking the men’s version played on a round robin format.

Makerere and Kyambogo universities were second and third best women football playing universities.

Uganda Christian University (UCU) also took rugby honors after overcoming the much fancied Makerere University 28-14 in the finals.

8 universities took part in the rugby event held for 2 days at Namilyango College with Makerere University winning silver.

In swimming, Kampala International University (KIU) were the kings sweeping a massive 20 gold medals in both the men and women categories.

Nkumba University won the women netball category after a nail biting finishes, beating UCU 24-21.

Chess (both men and women) was won by Makerere University with Uganda Christian University (UCU) becoming second in women as Nkumba University played second fiddle in the men gender.

Nkumba University ruled the Volleyball world taking both the men and women titles and so did hosts, UCU in the Basketball circles.

Darts was taken by Ndejje University with Uganda Christian University (UCU) and Kampala International University (KIU) following in second and third slots respectively.

Kenyan Methodist University bagged 8 gold medals to triumph in Taekwondo sport, followed by Ndejje University (3) and Kenya’s USIU on 2 gold medals.

It was an all-Kenyan affair in Hockey. Strathmore University beat compatriots Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in the men’s event.

USIU Ladies took gold after whipping University of Eldoret 4 goals to nil. University of Eldoret (men) and Kisii (Ladies) took bronze.

Ndejje University’s victory means the second successive victory for the Ugandan University after the Dar es Salaam heroics two years ago.

Only two Ugandan universities have won the event with record winners, Makerere University (6 time successive winners) finishing a disappointing 7^th overall.

Egerton University from Kenya won the inaugural edition in 1999.

Over 5000 participants from 48 universities were part of the games in 18 different sporting disciplines.

It was the first time a private University hosted the games.

The Games’ Local Organizing Committee (LOC) was supported by a bandwagon of sponsors; Joint medical Stores, Rwenzori Mineral Water, Coca Cola, Movit Limited , DFCU Bank, Centenary Bank, Standard Chartered and all the participating Universities that met each of their participants’ fees.

Also See: University champions of The Eastern Africa University Games from 1999-2014