Prison’s Samson Rugongeza hit 89 strokes from 24 gates to win the men’s seniors’ category title as the 11the edition of the Ndejje Woodball Open Championship ended at Ndejje University-Main Campus on Saturday.

Rugongeza edged Eminents’ Joel Adupa and Ndejje Corporate’s Onesmas Atamba by 3 and 5 strokes respectively to successfully defend the title he last won in 2019 before COVID-19 caused a lockdown.

The feat also earned him the presidential excellent award of sh100,000/- that is given to the top performer at every woodball championship.

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“I have defended it but it wasn’t that easy. We last had this championship in 2019 but I trained hard to defend it and I’m so happy; training did it for me,” Rugongeza said after he was crowned by the chairman planning board, Ndejje University Charles Kahigiriza who was in the company of UWbF president Mark Kayongo and vice president Vincent Kisenyi.

Rugogenza also led his side to the overall men’s championship, with Abed Okello (96 strokes), Isaac Ariho (103), and Isaac Nabugere (116) combining for a total of 404 strokes that ensured they finish ahead of MUBS (414) and Ndejje Corporate (419).

“We have just established the team this year; we won bronze in the Kyambogo Open and it wasn’t so satisfying to us so we went back and trained hard and came back and won. It’s all down to hard work and training and as prisons, we always want to be at the top and we have made it,” Rugongeza stated.

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MUBS Jackline Naula who topped the lady’s senior category is also determined to remain on top with regular practice.

She returned 95 strokes, beating Eminents’ Joyce Nalubega and Lady Woods Lillian Zawedde to the gold by one and four strokes respectively.

“It was a good outing for me because I had been practicing for a week before, so it wasn’t so hard; even the ground was favourable. I’m just going to target more wins by practicing regularly so that I maintain my position,” Naula, who won her second career gold said.

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It sharpens the mind as it gives you transferable skills that you can transfer to other aspects of life. I encourage you to continue participating in and promoting woodball.

He also hailed UWbF for the significant achievement of introducing the unique game that has taken the country by storm.

Kayongo also encouraged players to keep the focus and participate in more local tournaments as they fulfill the mission and vision of which the woodball sport was founded, one of which is to add value to the development of sport in the country.

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Ndejje Woodball Championship results

Seniors-Men

Samson Rugongeza (Prisons) 45 44 89

Joel Adupa (Eminents) 49 43 92

Onesmas Atamba (Ndejje Corporate) 45 49 94

Seniors-Women

Jacky Naula (MUBS) 50 45 95

Joyce Nalubega (Eminents) 47 49 96

Lillian Zawedde (Lady Woods) 55 44 99

Doubles Men

Emmanuel Opio/Isarel Muwanguzi (Eminents) 43

Moses Agaba/Tonny Ssekyeene (Reigners) 46

Mathias Wahala/Aksam Sserunjgi (Ndejje University) 47

Mixed Doubles

Lillian Zawedde/Benson Kanyesige (Ndejje Corporate) 48

Sophie Namuddu/Onesmus Atamba (Ndejje Corporate) 49

Florence Mukoya/Davis Wabusa (MUBS) 52

Doubles-Women

Sanyu Mirembe/Daisy Nayiga (Ndejje University) 47

Christine Birungi/Rose Nabaggala 47

Pauline Nakayenga/S. Nakimuli 49

Overall Women Seniors

Eminents (412strokes)

Joyce Nalubega 47 49 96

Joan Mukoova 55 45 100

Elizabeth Nambeguya 52 55 107

Pauline Nakayenga 55 54 109

Lady Woods (426)

Lillian Zawedde 55 44 99

Rose Nabaggala 53 50 103

Sophia Namuddu 58 52 110

Sheillah Kyomugisha 56 58 114

Ndejje University A (434)

Christine Birungi 54 48 102

Tracy Nassanga 55 52 107

Alverah Mukambarinda 57 54 111

Phionah Nabakooza 67 47 114

Corporates Men

Jackson Masiga 105

Raymond Ssemata 112

Sylvester Kalunga 117

Corporate Women

Phiona Namata (Ndejje) 115

Phiona Namata (Ndejje) 116

Jean Lunkuse (Ndejje) 140

Doubles Men-Corporate

Barigye Innocent & Makoha Michael (Ndejje) 50

Ssemata Raymond & Ssekajigo Aloysius (Kisubi) 51

Male Hassan & Kiiza Caleb (Ndejje) 51

Doubles Women-Corporate

Maria Nansereko/Phiona Namata (Ndejje) 56

Jean Lunkuse/Rose Matovu (Ndejje Corp)

Annet Nanyondo/Sharon Nanyondo (Kisubi)

Youth Boys

Gerald Karamagi 105

Rashid Kasule 114

Bernard Atuhire 115

Juniors Boys

Mwesigye Kigozi (Bonna Baana)

Kamoga Paul (Bonna Baana)

Desmond Ssengendo (Friends International Academy)

Juniors Girls

Joyce Nanziri (Bonna Baana)