UCU banking on revamped facilities for standout 2025 University Games

MUKONO - From December 18 to 23, Ugandan universities will converge at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono, for the 20th edition of the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) Games.

UCU will be hosting the national event for the fourth time, having previously organised it in 2007, 2013 and 2023.

Despite the large number of 30 member universities expected to participate across various disciplines, the deputy vice chancellor in charge of academic affairs, Rev. Prof. John Kitayimbwa, on November 18, 2025, assured organisers that UCU is fully prepared for the Games.

“We are ready for the games. We want to provide the best experience than any other to the participants,” Kitayimbwa noted.

“We are in the final process of renovating and polishing the facilities that will host the competitions, and other facilities are ready. We want all our facilities to meet international standards for the safety of the athletes,” he added.

He said the University is committed to improving standards each time it hosts the Games. 

AUUS president George Wagogo thanked the UCU administration for its continued commitment to promoting university sports in Uganda.

The UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor, Rev. Prof. John Kitayimbwa (L), address the media as AUUS president George Wagoogo (C) and vice president Martha Soigi look on at Uganda Christian University during the launch of the 20th Edition of the University Games on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Credit: Johnson Were)

“Hosting the Games four times is not something we can take for granted because hosting comes with so many challenges, including finance. However, UCU is in support of us at all times, and we are grateful,” Wagogo said.

He congratulated UCU on winning a bronze medal at the 3x3 World University Basketball Championship in Brazil.

“These games are a celebration of our young talents, and we have a strong professional team determined to run the games and make this year's games the festival of excellence,” Wagoogo added.

He assured participants of well-organised and professional Games, free of mercenaries as seen in some previous editions, explaining that a system has been introduced to eliminate non-bona fide participants.

“Our games are for those students aged 25 years and below as per the FISU standard, and we shall not accept any athlete above that age,” he stressed, adding that this year’s edition will feature 19 disciplines.

The disciplines include volleyball, basketball, football, woodball, swimming, chess, draft, darts, athletics, handball, pool, netball, frisbee and rugby.

This year’s Games are sponsored by Vision Group and Pepsi.