Makerere University Flags Off 230 Students for University Games

Makerere University has flagged off 230 students to participate in the 20th edition of the Inter-University Games, scheduled to take place at Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Mukono.

Speaking to the students during the flag-off ceremony held at Makerere University on Wednesday evening, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged the participants to maintain a high level of discipline throughout the competition, which officially begins on Thursday.

Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that sports play a critical role in nurturing leadership skills among young people, noting that sporting activities go beyond physical fitness to shaping future leaders across various sectors.

He also noted that limited funding restricts the number of students the university can facilitate across different sporting disciplines.

Nevertheless, he pledged continued investment in sports infrastructure and funding to ensure Makerere remains competitive and dominant in university sports.

The Dean of Students, Dr. Winnifred Namuwonge Kabumbuli, said Makerere University has a long-standing tradition of excellence in sports.

She commended the Vice Chancellor for overseeing the completion of a multipurpose sports complex, which was constructed by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in a record 40 days.

Among the athletes representing Makerere is Yudaya Nabakka, a second-year visually impaired student who will compete in goalball.

Nabakka said that despite her visual impairment, she is determined to excel in this year’s games and secure gold medals for the university.

Of the 230 students selected from various sporting disciplines, 120 are female, and 110 are male. They will compete in events including football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, swimming, judo, gymnastics, and water polo, among others. The games will run from the 18th to the 23rd of this month