Rwanda's cricketers have been boosted by two new sponsors ahead of next week’s ICC World Cricket League Division 3 tournament in Johannesburg.

MTN offered Frw1.5m and v added Frw 0.4m to join sponsors which include the ministry of sports and culture, Rwandair Express and Rwanda Development Bank.

A Ugandan side will play two matches against Rwanda – one Twenty20 and one 50-over contest – this week. Srinath Vardhineni, Rwanda’s captain, said that the team were looking forward to a good performance. "How well we perform against the Ugandans will have a huge bearing on how we shall play in South Africa,” he said.

The Uganda Cricket Association hosted a touring side from The Marylebone Cricket Club form 13th February through to 1st March 2008. The MCC engaged in a number of activities that included among others coaching sessions for U15 secondary school pupils and the people with disabilities’ team of Uganda. They also played a number of games against the Uganda and Kenya under 19 teams, the Uganda “A” team and the Uganda National team.

The tour party that consisted of 13 players and three officials was hosted to a welcome cocktail and closing dinner by the Uganda Cricket Association, during which they pledged to support the Association in its quest for the development of the game of cricket. At these two functions the visitors got to meet some of the most celebrated persons in Ugandan cricket such as John Nagenda, A K Lutaaya and Sam Walusimbi among others.

Cricket Clinics

Apart from the games played, the tour party from MCC run cricket clinics for young people in the cricket playing school of Kings’ College Budo and for the Disabled National Team. During these sessions, tips and drills on how to better play the game of cricket were passed on to the participants. Over 70 young upcoming cricketers benefited from these coaching clinics.

Continue reading "MCC tour of Uganda review"

Uganda Cricket Association hosted the AfriPals Cricket team from Kenya over the Easter Weekend, 21st – 25th March 2008. The AfriPals were scheduled to play a total of three games against Uganda A and UCA select sides. The AfriPal’s delegation which was headed by Coach Martin Suji consisted of several big names from the Kenyan National side such as Peter Ongondo, Jimmy Kamade, David Obuya, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Alfred Lusano, Elijah Otieno and Tony Suji among others. Of the scheduled three games, only one was played as the other two were washed away by the heave Easter Sunday downpour. A very closely contested Pro20 game at the start of the series turned out to be the decider of the series.

AFRIPALS VS UGANDA XI (Saturday 22nd March 2008)
TOSS: UGANDA
SKIPPERS: UGANDA XI - JOEL OLWENY
AFRIPALS - JIMMY KAMANDE
RESULT: UGANDA XI WON BY 1 RUN

The performances of both sides were much appreciated by the funs and Uganda Cricketing fraternity, this tickled a personal offer of a cash token to both teams by Mr. John Nagenda a Senior Presidential Advisor and a senior citizen in the cricket fraternity.

The Uganda Cricket Association executive meet to discuss their calendar and other programmes. The new executive of Dr Kato Ssebbaale shelved all local programmes during the two-week tour of Uganda by the MCC. "Now that visitors have left, we want to concentrate on our local programmes," said Davis Turinawe, the local association’s organising secretary. The meeting discussed tournaments like Luswata Cup and the national league.

The MCC ended their Uganda tour with two emphatic wins over Kenya's Under-19 side. The games were originally scheduled to have been played in Nairobi but were rearranged at Kampala's Kyambogo Oval as a result of Kenya's political unrest following December's presidential elections.

Click here for the full report

MCC drew their three-day match against the Ugandan national XI, but it was a heartening performance from the home side. Uganda made 220 in their first innings with last season’s Middlesex spin pairing of Jamie Dalrymple and Chris Peploe sharing eight wickets. A strong MCC side was expected to take a lead, but in the end it took an unbeaten 68 from Bilal Shafyat to steer them to 193. Uganda reached 195 for 7 before declaring and setting MCC a target of 223 in 47 overs. They lost quick early wickets and settled on playing out time.

Audio interview with Uganda's Davis Arinaitwe (courtesy MCC)

Uganda 220 (Otim 54, Peploe 4-35, Dalrymple 4-62) and 195 for 7 (Dalrymple 4-66) drew with MCC 193 (Shafayat 68) and 114 for 5

The number of people actively participating in cricket outside the Test-playing countries increased 17% in 2007, according to the ICC.

The research, carried out by the ICC's development program, was collated from 33 Associate and 58 Affiliate members. It showed that there were 338,051 male and female players in those countries in 2007, an increase of 49,158 on the previous year. Since 2002, when there were 144,047 participants, there has been a 135% rise.

Click here for the full story.

As revealed by Cricinfo last month, the 2011 World Cup will be shortened and the main victims of the change will be the Associate countries who will have their numbers cut from six to four.

"It is a move we both feared and expected and it's not great news for the Associates," Warren Deutrom, the chief executive of the Irish Cricket Union, told Cricinfo. "Neither is it a great vote of confidence in the ICC's own High Performance Programme.

Click here to tell us what you think of this? Is it the start of the gradual elimination of smaller countries from the World Cup or a necessary and welcome move?

Dr Kato Sebbaale, the new chairman of the Ugandan Cricket Association, has spoken about his plans for the future after ousting William Kibuuka Musoke at a heated AGM last week.

"My victory wasn't a surprise because it looks like everyone was looking for a change," Sebbaale told the New Vision newspaper. "It's like people were suffering deeply before and they are kind of happy that there is a change and that's a challenge because I must really show them the change."

Continue reading "New Uganda chairman speaks of need for change"

The Ugandan government has forgiven the two cricketers who vanished in Australia when they went there to play cricket last year.

Jimmy Okello and Patrick Ochan went AWOL after the ICC World Cricket League last June and surfaced claiming political asylum because of persecution. They were subsequently banned for life by Uganda.

James Nsaba Buturo, the minister of ethics and integrity, said they were forgiven because it had been realised persecuting them would make them suffer. "We are no longer interested in them being arrested by Interpol to be brought back. They can stay in Australia if they so wish."

There was a major upheaval in Ugandan cricket when William Kibuuka Musoke was ousted as chairman of the UCA by Dr Kato Sebbaale at a feisty meeting in Lugogo.

Musoke has been a controversial figure and it was obvious from early on that he was in trouble, as a succession of speakers lined up to attack his tenure. "We have struggled with this game for long,” said John Naganda, who opposed Musoke’s re-election. “Seeing someone destroy it hurts. Those who are anti-cricket should go to hell," He also moved a motion to suspend discussing the accounts because they were received late.

The UCA was also attacked by Jasper Aligawesa, the general secretary of the National Council of Sports. "You must improve UCA's public image,” he said. “You should also bring an end to divisions in cricket."

When it came to the vote, Musoke and his committee were sent packing. Kampala’s New Vision described him as possessing an ability “to divide all that stood before him”.

Kampala will host a number of "star" Melbourne players when the club tours Uganda next month, New Vision Online reports.

Players from the famous Lords Cricket oval in Australia, are due in Kampala February 13 to play matches against the national cricket team (Feb. 14), U-19 side (Feb. 16-17), select XI (Feb. 18) and also against a Kenyan U-19 side (Feb. 22-23).

“Initially, they were supposed to spend a week in Uganda and two weeks in Kenya but the situation in Kenya forced them to change the programme. They will now spend all the three weeks here,” said local cricket association secretary Ansasira Badu.

Uganda underlined their growing reputation as one of cricket's emerging forces with a 12-run victory over neighbours Kenya in the final of the East and Central Africa Under-15 Championship. The win avenged their defeat by the Kenyans in last year's final.

Click here for a full report

UAE underlined their ambition to take part in the 2011 World Cup by winning the World Cricket League Division Two tournament in Namibia, defeating Oman in the final. Denmark and Namibia also booked their place in the 2009 Qualifer, but Uganda and Argentina finished in the bottom two and were relegated back to Division Three.

Click here for Cricinfo’s full coverage of the tournament.

A Kenyan XI beat Uganda in two warm-up matches at Kampala's Lugogo Oval. The games were arranged to give the Ugandans practice before next week's World Cricket League Division Two competition in Namibia.

Click here for the full story

A squad of 14 Kenya players are lending their support to Uganda to play two friendlies at the Lugogo Oval this weekend, to help them prepare for the World Cricket League Division Two in Namibia later this month.

Steve Tikolo, the Kenya captain, along with Thomas Odoyo and other senior players are all participating, but Kenya have given Maurice Ouma the captaincy. They also called up a couple of younger faces, Ken Migai and Moses Otieno to gain experience.

Uganda will fight it out with United Arab Emirates - who today beat Bermuda in the Intercontinental Cup - Argentina, Denmark, Oman and Namibia for the four slots reserved for the group in the 2009 World Cup qualifier.

Click here for the fixture list

Uganda are increasing their preparations for Division Two of the World Cricket League with daily training sessions at the Lugogo Oval.

According to the Monitor, they have acquired the services of Franco Otieno - the former Kenya Under-19 captain - who is assisted by Charles Lwanga and Sam Walusimbi.

The ICC has said that there are no plans to extend the number of Associate members who will gain ODI status.

On a visit to Uganda, Cassim Suliman, the CEO of the African Cricket Association, was reported as saying that he would push for more countries to be added to the six Associates that currently have one-day status. But an ICC spokesman told Cricinfo: "There is no intention at this stage to increase the number of teams playing ODIs.

Click here for the full story.

Patrick Ochan and Jimmy Okello have been banned for life by the Ugandan Cricket Association (UCA), after the duo went missing at the end of the ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament in Darwin.

The bans are unlikely to have a significant impact on the duo - it has been reported that they have now taken up residence in Adelaide after applying for, and successfully obtaining, working visas.

"By the rules of the association, we dissociated ourselves from the act [their disappearance] and banned them from playing cricket for Uganda ever again. They would have no cause to come back to us at all," William Kibukamusoke, the chairman of UCA, told Cricinfo on telephone from Kampala.

Continue reading "Life bans for Ugandan duo"

Botswana produced the shock of the Africa Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers when they Uganda by 27 runs to reach the semi-finals in Benoni on Monday.

Botswana's unexpected victory eliminated Tanzania from the semi-final on net run-rate after the duo along with Uganda ended up at four points each from three matches. In Wednesday's semi-finals, Uganda meets Namibia while Kenya faces Botswana. Kenya topped Pool One after conjuring up a four-wicket victory over Zambia while Namibia finished second after defeating Ghana by 172 runs, courtesy of an unbeaten century by Sean Silver.

In the Botswana-Uganda match, Botswana scored 192 for 8 after being put into bat with contributions from Karan Kapoor (54) and Nadeem Tajbhay (36) while Emmanuel Nakaana bagged 3 for 45. In turn, Uganda was dismissed for 165 in 44 overs after losing their last seven wickets for 54.

Tanzania, in their last match, carved out a 153-run victory over Nigeria. Athumani Kakonzi (70) and Seif Abdul (68) put on 123 for the second wicket to set the platform for Tanzania's 296 in 49.5 overs. Nigeria, in its target chase, were bowled out for 143.

Silver scored 101 to inspire Namibia to a 172-run victory over Ghana and featured in a 117-run second wicket partnership with Tiaan Louw (62) as Namibia scored 287 for 6. Ghana were dismissed for 115 with Elandre Oosthuizen taking 4 for 39 and Louis Petrus van der Westhuizen claiming 3 for 13.

Spinners Rakep Patel and Rohit Vekaria shared six wickets to help Kenya beat Zamibia by four wickets. Patel took 3 for 16 and Vekaria bagged 3 for 17 as Zambia were spun out for 152. Kenya achieved victory in 34.1 overs for the loss of six wickets.

The winner of the Africa Under-19 Qualifiers join Papua New Guinea (from the East Asia-Pacific Region), Ireland (from the Europe Region) and Bermuda (from the Americas Region), the ICC's 10 Full Members and hosts Malaysia at the 16-team U-19 World Cup from February 17 to March 2 2008 in Malaysia.

Two Ugandan cricketers who disappeared at the end of the World cricket League in Darwin earlier this month have been found by Australia’s Immigration Department in Adelaide.

The Age reported that Patrick Ochan, 18, and Jimmy Okello, 19, are expected to apply to stay in the country. It said that the pair were staying with Ken Skewes, a young South Australia player, and he contacted the authorities when he realised that the men were being sought. The paid have valid visas until June 28, so no further action is expected until then.

It appears two of Uganda's players, who won Division Three of the World Cricket League, have gone missing in Australia.

Patrick Ochan, 18, and Jimmy Okello, 19, from the same village in Uganda's north, failed to reunite with their team following the ICC World Cricket League 3 Division final in Darwin at the weekend.

Uganda's national team, which won the match, has since gone home, saying they hope the missing players will follow and won't seek to stay permanently in Australia.

A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews confirmed the pair were still in Australia.

"They have valid visas until August 24 so they are still legally here," she told AAP.

Full story at the Sydney Morning Herald.

Despite the lack of preparation, the Uganda’s chairman William Musoke is delighted with his team winning Division Two of the World Cricket League.

“We persevered and insisted on training despite the inadequacies in the association. It was total sacrifice for the players and officials to make the Darwin trip.”

Continue reading "Uganda chairman delighted with success"

Leave your thoughts and feedback of Uganda's win in the comments below

Uganda celebrate their victory © ICC

At one stage Uganda, the hot favourites, had slumped to 79 for 7, after being asked to bat, with Argentina captain Esteban MacDermott, who was later adjudged player of the tournament, taking three wickets. However Frank Nsubuga, who made 55 from 38 balls, and Laurence Sematimba added a vital 80 for the eight wicket. Sematimba and Patrick Ochan, 56 from 34 balls, then posted 82 for the ninth wicket as Uganda reached 241 for 8. Nsubuga outstanding all-round day continued, taking 4 for 27 as Argentina were bowled out for 150 in the 47th over.

Click here for a full report

Leave your thoughts

Uganda and Argentina have been promoted to Division Two of the World Cricket League following their march into the final of Division Three in Darwin. Division Two, in Namibia, gets underway in November.

1st semi-final

Esteban MacDermott, the Argentina captain, produced a match-winning performance when he captured 4 for 20 to bowl out the Cayman Islands for 102 in the 40th over. Steve Gordon, who scored a century in the opening game against Tanzania, top-scored with 38 but only Saheed Mohamed (29) and Keniel Irving (19) reached double figures. Argentina's chase began poorly, stumbling to 58 for 4, but Alejandro Ferguson saw them through to the final with a composed 25.

"The boys could have easily lost focus or confidence after the one-wicket defeat against Italy," MacDermott said, "but they remained committed and stayed on track because they trusted their instincts. This is the reward for their dedication and continuous hard work.

"The credit for our promotion to Division 2 not only goes to the team but to the entire support staff and all those who backed us all the way. Our performance in the tournament shows how rapidly cricket is growing in our country where soccer remains the first-choice sport."

2nd semi-final

Plate semi-finals

Argentina and Papua New Guinea (PNG) complete the semi-final line-up of the World Cricket League Division 3 after recording impressive victories on the last day of the group matches in Darwin. Argentina take on Cayman Islands in the semi-finals tomorrow, while PNG meet Uganda.

Group A

PNG beat Italy by eight wickets, but it was their superior net run-rate which edged them into the semi-finals, after both teams were tied following two wins each. PNG, who suffered a shock five-wicket defeat against Argentina on Tuesday, had to beat the Italians by a convincing margin to earn a berth in the last four. They did just that, dismissing Italy for 134 before cruising to their target in the 34th over. Arua Uda top-scored with 58 from 92 balls.

Group B

Tanzania tasted its first win of the tournament, overpowering Hong Kong by five wickets. Hong Kong made 161, with Rahul Sharma notching 43 while Bhavesh Govind took 3 for 31. Tanzania cruised home with Abhik Patwa and Rishen Patel putting on 77 for the opening stand, edging over the line in the 47th over.

Hussain Butt is bowled not playing a shot by Franklyn Hinds © Travis Pittman

Uganda and Cayman Islands booked their places in the semi-finals of the World Cricket League Division Three as ball dominated bat on the second day of the tournament in Darwin. Both teams made short work of their opponents, comfortably winning low-scoring games in the first session.

The wins gave Uganda and Cayman Islands maximum points from two games in Group B and left Tanzania and Hong Kong winless with just one match remaining. Despite Italy's second successive win, Group B remains wide open as PNG and Argentina have one win from two games. After Tuesday's rest day, PNG will meet Italy at Nightcliff while Argentina meet Fiji at Kahlin Oval in the last group matches.

Group A

Group B

Eight of cricket’s emerging nations will be hoping to take one step towards qualification for the 2011 World Cup when the World Cricket League Division 3 gets underway this Sunday (May 27) in Darwin.

The top two teams from this event will join UAE, Namibia, Denmark and Oman
in Windhoek, Namibia at the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 November. The top four teams from the event in Namibia will automatically qualify for the ICC World Cup Qualifier in the UAE in 2009, while the two remaining teams will have a second chance to qualify for the UAE tournament at the World Cricket League Division 3 in early 2009.

Click here for the full team-by-team preview.

Some good news for the spread of cricket to regions where the sport hasn’t gained much popularity comes in the way of the selection of two players from Tanzania and two from Uganda in the Africa team for the Afro-Asia tournament in India this June. What makes this news even more heart-warming is that the four players will represent Africa Women in a Twenty20 game against Asia Women.

Tanzanians Saida Ramadhani and Mwanaiddi Shakim and Ugandans Christine Aryemo and Frankline Najjumba will travel along with their team-mates from Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe to play a Twenty20 match in Bangalore on June 5. The match is expected to bring some deserved attention to the women’s game for it will be played before a men’s Twenty20 on the same day at the same venue.

It is significant to note that there are no representatives from either country in the men’s side. That these women have succeeded in finding a place in an international side of some reckoning is a good sign for cricket in the two countries but the absence of Tanzanian and Ugandan men means there is a lot more work still to be done.

Though Uganda and Tanzania didn’t make it through to the second round of World Cup qualifiers in Pakistan – Zimbabwe and South Africa have qualified from Africa – the trip to India for these players can only help in pushing the game forward back home.

The ICC recognised the efforts of Uganda Cricket Association when they awarded $1000 to Rebecca Alwayo Akwenyu, an international player, as Volunteer of the Year for her contributions and services to disabled cricketers in Uganda. The association also won the Photo of the Year for an image of a disabled man batting on one leg.

Click here for more information on teams for the Afro Asia Cup

Recognition for Ugandan cricket has come in the form of two ICC Awards – which have netted the country $3000 worth of equipment vouchers. A female international player, Rebecca Alwayo Akwenyu, picked up the Volunteer of the Year and the country took the Photo of the Year prize.

Akwenyu was rewarded for her outstanding contribution and services to the disabled cricketers in Uganda. She also won the Africa regional Volunteer of the Year award. Her award was worth $1000.

A further $2000 came when the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) took the photography prize for a photo of a disabled man batting while supporting himself on one leg.

"Winning two awards on the globe is a wonderful feeling," UCA’s administrative officer Martin Muyomba told the Daily Monitor. “It shows that UCA's development programs are still very strong at the grassroots.”

The prizes were announced at the ICC Development Program annual awards on Friday.

Ronnie Kintu

Uganda have dropped Benjamin Musoke and Junior Kwebiiha, their two allrounders, ahead of Division Three of the World Cricket League next month. Uganda named their final 14-man squad yesterday.

Uganda will be among the eight nations to take part in the tournament which gets underway on May 27 in Australia. They are joined by Tanzania, USA, PNG, Oman Republic, Malaysia, the Cayman Islands and Fiji in the seven-day event.

After a poor show at the 2007 World Cup qualifiers in Ireland two years ago, in which they finished bottom of the 12-nation championship, Uganda were relegated to the third division along with the fractious USA and PNG.

The top two countries in Division Three will qualify to play in Division Two which, in turn, acts as a mini World Cup in 2009

Uganda squad
J. Olweny, P. Ochan, R. Mukasa, A. Kyobe, C. Waiswa, H. Saleh, J. Okello, R. Okia, R. Semanda, K. Kamyuka, L. Sematimba, F. Nsubuga, D. Ruyange and R. Otim.

Harry Shapiro, a coach in South Africa, has been helping out Uganda reports New Vision

Shapiro described the participants as enthusiastic, hard working and full of potential capable of furthering the development of the game. They were attending a one-week course in coaching cricket.

“They are a dedicated lot with a lot of enthusiasm and talent. They only need a little more hard work,” Shapiro remarked.

Shapiro, 65, is a South African professional coach who has also been instrumental in guiding some players on the Proteas national squad.

He guided the coaches in batting and bowling techniques, fielding options and also took them through theories. He was assisted by Sam Walusimbi.

Local development officer John Mayeku was optimistic the candidates were now ready to coach in schools and clubs.

William Kibuuka-Musoke was voted new chairman of Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) at the Annual General Meeting at the National Council of Sports headquarters.

Kibuuka-Musoke, also the new manager of Mandela National Stadium beat his only opponent Robert Kisubi by four votes.

Continue reading "Row follows election of Uganda new chairman"

It won't get many column inches in the mainstream cricket press, but the World Cricket League, which started in Nairobi yesterday and continues into next week, features the best of the rest, the six sides just under the ten Test-playing countries. For the two finalists, the rewards are bountiful - a place among the big boys in the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa this September, along with $250,000. For countries used to surviving on annual handouts from the ICC of less than $200,000, that's big money.

Continue reading "A long way from home"

A very interesting article in Kenya’s Standard about Henry Osinde. Born and raised in Uganda, he is back in neighbouring Kenya this week to play in the World Cricket League. But he has turned his back on Uganda and is now a member of the multinational Canadian side.

Without a touch of irony, he said that "Uganda cricket has a good development programme, but the problem is to get it to next level." He added, with another turn of the knife, that he had no plans to visit to offer any support.

While most attention outside the Test world centres on the World Cricket League which gets underway next Monday (January 29), two of the sides providing opposition in warm-up matches will be taking those games far more seriously.

Uganda and Tanzania have been brought in by the tournament organisers to provide opposition for the six countries in the WCL, but both will be looking to impress. Uganda have been talked up by many in the last year, but they suffered heavy defeats when Kenya toured there at the end of last year.

"Everybody is in good frame of mind,” former Uganda Under-19 captain Hamza Saleh told The Monitor. “We have played with these guys (Tanzanians) in different age group events before and we will handle them cautiously."

In The Australian, Mike Coward reflects that while the Ashes series has generated massive revenues, the story is different beyond the Test world. He reports on the story of one Australian club side helping Uganda by donating equipment and funds. Spearheaded by Brian Freedman, Bankstown District CC in Sydney are doing their bit:

"There are 20,000 cricketers in Uganda and nearly all are playing with hand-crafted gear. Given so many have so little, cricket equipment is out of the question. Most cricketers I think have two or three bats in the shed that will never be used again but are too good to throw away.”

The first drive for equipment in 2005 was so successful the BDCC was able to ship a container of 100 bats, 100 pairs of pads, gloves, wickets, balls, stumps and some clothing. Unsurprisingly, shirts from the range bearing the names of two of the club's most famous sons, Steve and Mark Waugh, enjoy considerable popularity.

Uganda kick of 2007 with a tour to Kenya in January where they will play a select Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA XI) side, Kenya, Canada and Bermuda.

The Ugandans will take on the NPCA select side on January 24, play the hosts Kenya or Kenya A on January 26, Canada on January 27 and conclude the tour with a match against Bermuda on January 28. " We have lined up some of the ICC’s top Associates because they will also use the games as warm up ties for the ICC World Cricket League tournament that runs at the same time," said Cricket Kenya’s CEO, Tom Tikolo.

Uganda v NPCA XI (Jan 24)
Uganda v Kenya (Jan 26)
Uganda v Canada (Jan 27)
Uganda v Bermuda (Jan 28)

In the aftermath of Uganda 's below par performance in the inaugural ICC Women's World Cup qualifiers in Nairobi, coach Charles Lwanga has insisted his team is more talented than other teams in the region.

Continue reading "Uganda women's coach defiant"

The countdown for the 2009 women's World Cup begins this Friday when four African countries will assemble in Nairobi, Kenya for the start of the World Cup regional qualifiers.

Joining the host nation Kenya will be Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Uganda and the one-day competition will be played in a simple round-robin format, with the winner heading to the next qualifying stage, a tournament in Pakistan at the end of next year. Eight teams will vie for two spots at the 2009 World Cup in Australia.

Click here for the full story.

The Uganda national cricket team’s latest performance will go down in folklore as the worst display ever. The game plan against Kenya was pretty straightforward; go out onto the oval, restrict the Kenyans to a chasable score, then come on chase and pile up the runs. But just like the angel of death who plucks out the heart of our loved ones, Kenya under the stewardship of Steve Tikolo tore Uganda’s script to shreds, and maybe the morale of the few fans who endured six, no five and half agonizing days in Lugogo.

Continue reading "It’s time Uganda styled up"

After the series whitewash against Kenya, the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) has apologised to all stakeholders. During the farewell dinner to reward the top performers and see off the Kenyan team, the UCA apologised for the woeful show the team put up. "It was an awakening for us because we were comprehensively beaten. We must admit that we are not yet there because our game was way below par but we will fight on," said UCA Chairman Ivan Kyayonka.

The Guest of Honour John Nagenda - a former national captain and presidential advisor on media -also apologised for the dismal performance, thanked the Kenyans for showing glimpses of fantastic cricket and promised them a better show in the next series. "I have talked to the top men in UCA and we are going to organize a big stakeholders meeting to find a way forward because it is not a pleasant scene to see the game regress. All the players will also be asked what the problem is," added Nagenda.

Kenya's West Indian coach Roger Harper was however full of praises for UCA for accommodating them and giving his team so valuable match practice ahead of the Intercontinental Cup match against Bermuda and the World Cup.

Uganda's next series will be a tri-series starting on November 9 against Bermuda and hosts Kenya in Nairobi.

Innocent Ndawula

The writer is a journalist with Daily Monitor Newspaper in Kampala, Uganda and seasoned cricketer with Africa Cricket Club in Uganda.

Kenya ended their short tour of Uganda with a resounding win over their hosts in the three-day match at Kampala. Earlier in the week, Kenya had completed an easy 3-0 whitewash in the one-day series.

Kenya made 316 for 9 on the opening day, with Steve Tikolo, Morris Ouma, Tanmay Mishra and Thomas Odoyo all making fifties, and reduced Uganda to 19 for 2 at the close. The home side were bowled out for 156, and Kenya again batted with ease, reaching 186 for 6 by the time they declared shortly before the close, setting the Ugandans a target of 347. They showed little appetite for the fight and were bowled out shortly after lunch of the final day for 95, giving Kenya a thumping 251-run victory. Peter Ongondo (4 for 42) and Thomas Odoyo (3 for 21) were the stars of a last day which lasted less than two hours.

The Ugandan team is stepping up its preparations ahead of their series against Kenya, which starts on September 23 at Lugogo Oval.

The players will now go through two training session a day, giving them more time to work on the batting skills which have been a problem for Uganda against stronger opposition.

Henry Okecho, the coach, told Daily Monitor: "The team is gelling well and everybody is looking good save for batsman Benjamin Musoke who is still nursing a slight injury. We shall name the final squad of 16 next Tuesday."

The tour will consist of three ODIs and a three-day game but Uganda will be without their star allrounders Kenneth Kamyuka and Junior Kwebiiha as well as youngsters Ahmed Yakub, Emmanuel Issanez and Patrick Ochan, who were dropped for various reasons.

Kenya's preparations for next year's World Cup will continue later this month when they tour Uganda for three ODIs and a three-day match.

Click here for more.

Most Ugandans wear imported second-hand clothes – huge bales arrive daily from the UK, US and other developed countries and are known locally as ‘mivumba’. David bought his T-shirt for 4,000 Ugandan shillings (£1.25). Although he knows little about its origins, David is proud of his Yorkshire connection as he goes about selling newspapers in a suburb close to Lake Victoria.

Kevin O’Connor, The Wisden Cricketer

The four-team Atul Shah Memorial Cup kicked off in Mombasa on Wednesday with Kenya A going down by three wickets to Uganda and Coast Cricket Association beating Tanzania by 52 runs. Live scores throughout the event, which ends with a final on Sunday, can be found by clicking here.

'It is my wish that youngsters are groomed to take on my roles' © Cricinfo Lrd

Ronnie Kintu

Nehal Bibodi, Uganda’s opening batsman and spinner has finally called it quits from the national team after 13 years of service. The 35-year-old said he had done enough for the nation and wished youngsters would take up the mantle and keep the candle burning.

"Considering the upcoming international engagements and the World Cup qualifiers I feel I may not be material for the national squad and it is my wish that youngsters are groomed to take on my roles," Bibodi confessed.

Bibodi made his national team debut in 1993 during the East and Central Africa Cricket Championship (ECACC). He also played in the Africa Zone VI championship where he knocked his highest international score of 140 runs against Botswana in 1998.

He won three Man-of-the-Match awards in the ECACC and has consistently led the batting averages in recent times.

“Nehal has been undoubtedly an excellent experienced player with very good batting skills, good playing techniques and above all very disciplined,” Robert Kisubi, the team manager, commented. “I strongly believe he has done a service for his country.”

Ronnie Kintu

The Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) has named a 22-man
squad ahead of the Kenya tour starting tomorrow at Lugogo.

National team manager Robert Kisubi announced the squad
which included recalls for Charles Lwanga and Richard Okia
alongside debutantes Henry Sebulime, Davis Arinaitwe
and Ronald Semanda.

Kisubi was optimistic that the Uganda squad with nine
of the youngsters who played at the recent Under-19 World
Cup in Sri Lanka would give Kenya a bloody nose during
the Tests.

“We have tried to give every one a chance to prove
[themselves] before the final squad is named and I am
confident all the boys have gained the exposure in the
past that could give the neighbours a perfect run for
their money,” a confident Kisubi remarked.

Uganda last played against Kenya in the ICC three-day
intercontinental match 2004-2005 losing both games.

Senior players Joel Olweny, Benjamin Musoke, Frank
Nsubuga and Kenneth Kamyuka have also been named. The UCA has also recalled
Richard Mwami as team manager while Henry Okecho is
head coach.

Squad
H. Sebulime, C. Lwanga, J. Olweny, N. Bibodi, B.
Musoke, F. Nsubuga, K. Kamyuka, K. Legesi, J.
Kwebiiha, N. Kishore, R. Otim, E. Issaneez, H. Saleh,
P. Ochan, L. Sematimba, C. Waiswa, A. Kyobe, J.
Okello, R. Ssemanda, D. Ruyange, R. Okia, D.
Arinaitwe.

A very interesting story on Reuters about disabled cricketers in Uganda.

"When we got here, we wondered how these guys in wheelchairs were going to get down," said Andy Dalby-Welsh [one of the overseas coaches] gesturing at the entrance to the ground: a hulking, green wooden stand looming over dozens of steep, cracked concrete steps. "They just hopped out, hurtled down and beat us to it," he said. "The level of athleticism, enthusiasm and talent we've found is just incredible."

Disability in Africa has sometimes been blamed on witchcraft and sufferers are often isolated. But in a sign of positive change, South Africa will host the third blind cricket World Cup in December. Both previous tournaments - which are played by mixed teams of blind and partially sighted players using a white ball containing ball bearings to make it rattle - have been held in cricket-friendly India.

The Uganda Cricket Association has named a 22-man squad for the tour by Kenya at the end of May, recalling Charles Lwanga and Richard Okia and bringing in Henry Sebulime, Davis Arinaitwe and Ronald Semanda.

“We have tried to give every one a chance to prove himself before the final squad is named and I am confident all the boys have gained the exposure in the past that could give the neighbours a perfect run for their money,” Robert Kisubi, the national team manager, explained.

Uganda squad H. Sebulime, C. Lwanga, J. Olweny, N. Bibodi, B.
Musoke, F. Nsubuga, K. Kamyuka, K. Legesi, J. Kwebiiha, N. Kishore, R. Otim, E. Issaneez, H. Saleh, P. Ochan, L. Sematimba, C. Waiswa, A. Kyobe, J.
Okello, R. Ssemanda, D. Ruyange, R. Okia, D. Arinaitwe.

Click here for more on the tour

The Uganda Cricket Association has received an extra $22,000 from the ICC for the forthcoming 2006/07 season.

UCA that was initially getting $54,000 has now received $76,000 (sh136m) from the ICC as administration grant. The grant is from funds raised for the ICC affiliate and associate member countries during the John Walker Super Series played last October in Melbourne, Australia.

UCA administrative secretary Martin Muyomba revealed that the local body has already received the money that would help in the administration of the game, uplifting facilities at various grounds and financing many underlined projects for the season.

“It is a big boost for us (UCA) and definitely the money will go a long way in boosting many of the projects we have undertaken to assist in the growth of the game to greater heights,” Muyomba revealed.

More on this from Ronnie Kintu at the Sunday Vision newspaper.

Ronnie Kintu

The Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) has confirmed that
the annual Castle Lager league will start in May with
nine clubs taking part at Lugogo, Kyambogo, Nakawa and
Entebbe ovals.

The league would this time be played alongside the
traditional Luswata and Mawanda knockout tournaments
and would take a duration of seven months ending in
November.

“We have come up with a new format that would make the
season more interesting, competitive and involving for
all the clubs,” newly elected UCA organizing secretary
Junior Kwebiiha revealed.

According to the 2006 calendar, the Coca Cola annual
schools cricket championship would be played August
19-26 while the secondary school girls championship
sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO) will
take off in December.

UCA is also set to participate in the inaugural Africa
Women World Cup qualifiers set for South Africa in
September after the national men team has toured
Malaysia.

The U-15 and U-17 boys teams are set to take part in
the regional championships while the senior team would
again compete in the Africa Cricket Association (ACA)
championships that would have the top two teams play
at the 2011 World Cup qualifiers in a country to be
confirmed.

The local season would climax in December with the
inauguration of the twenty-twenty overs championship.

Meanwhile, Richard Sempa, the new honorary secretary
for the association travels to South Africa for the
Africa Cricket Association (ACA) annual general
meeting and would also attend a development seminar.

The Uganda Cricket Association has received a major shipment of equipment from Australia, the largest ever donation in the history of Ugandan cricket. The donation included more than 100 bats, 150 pairs of pads, junior cricket equipment, gloves, helmets, stumps, wicketkeeping gear and more.

The New Vision website reports that Uganda won four of the nine annual Africa regional development awards given out by the ICC. Uganda has for the last five years consistently boasted one of the biggest development programs in the Associate and Affiliate world involving 20,000 children.

Sam Walusimbi, Uganda’s Under-19 coach, said the World Cup was a learning curve to the side that finished 14th out of the 16 playing nations.

Uganda participated for the second time after their maiden appearance in Bangladesh 2004, notched two victories, one against Ireland in a warm-up matches, and then against Scotland in the Plate Championship.

"It was a great learning experience for the boys and I have no regrets for such a sounding exposure they got after playing against test playing nations ranked best in the World," Walusimbi said.

The U-19 tournament produced its fair share of great stories, with Bangladesh qualifying for the Super League for the first time in their history before going on to win the Super League play-offs to finish fifth.

ICC associate member Nepal beat South Africa and New Zealand to win the Plate Championship and the United States of America took part in the event for the first time.

"We were definitely not the worst losers after seeing highly-ranked countries making pathetic scores in the tournament,” Walusimbi said. “In every other match we were showing steady improvement and surely the boys will be a side
to reckon with in future if they put the good they have learnt into their cricketing careers.”

The side produced the youngest player in the history of the U-19 World Cup, Emmanuel Nakaana (14), who was closely followed by the ICC analysts during the tournament. Patrick Ochan stood out from the crowd with a priceless Man-of-the-Match award after leading Uganda to victory against Scotland.

Team manager Justine Ligyalingi hailed the discipline of the boys and acknowledged it was the best group of youngsters he had managed in the past. He said: "With such good discipline, a lot is ahead for the boys and with consistency they would get the best out of their careers.”

Tony Munro

Tony Munro's second piece this week surrounds Uganda, their preparation for the Under-19 World Cup and all the latest news on the local competitions and happenings.

Uganda are widely considered to be the rising force in African cricket, and if Kenya and Zimbabwe continue to struggle, many believe that Uganda will emerge as No. 2 to South Africa. Here, the New Vision website offers an insight into the best young players on the block.

In Uganda today, cricket has grown from just a recreational sport to a highly competitive and intense game.

And the great thing is that it is the youngsters who are shining, and that has to be good for the future.

Tornado made a bold statement, humbling Africa by 104 runs in the final of the Uganda's Castle Champions Trophy at Lugogo Cricket Ground to scoop all the season's silverware. Roger Mukasa, a 15-year-old batsman, was named Man of the Series for his 582 runs, six wickets and ten catches.