By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus - The 2024 KIU Inter-Faculty Sports Gala, held from Wednesday, October 17th to Sunday, October 22nd, 2024, left behind unforgettable memories of a spectacular event that brought the entire university community together for the first time in a long while.

The four-day Gala presented an incredible atmosphere filled with excitement as different colleges and schools faced off in various sporting disciplines, each with their eyes on the ultimate prize. From thrilling matches to the breathtaking closing performance by the University Karate Team, the event showcased the best of sportsmanship, unity, and skill, with participants, administrators, and fans agreeing it was iconic. It also provided a platform for students to network and foster new friendships across faculties, further enhancing the sense of community at KIU.

The School of Mathematics and Computing (SOMAC) emerged as the overall champion, edging out the College of Economics and Management (CEM) by a narrow two-point margin to claim the ultimate title. SOMAC dominated the following categories: taking home gold in basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and tug-of-war, finishing with 110 points.

CEM, the runner-up, collected 108 points, earning their only gold medal from an outstanding performance in woodball. The Netball champions, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), finished third with 101 points, while the College of Education (COEDL) came fourth with 100 points, despite winning the chess and darts contests. The School of Law (96 points), the School of Natural and Applied Sciences (SONAS), 83 points, and the College of Higher Degrees and Research (CHDR, 42 points) followed respectively.

"These have been spectacular games, and it will take a long time to forget this. Thanks to the administration for supporting the gala, especially through sponsorship, participation, and welfare,” said Grace Kabasindi, the Sports Tutor, in her closing remarks.

Mrs. Christine Ainebyona, the Campus Administrator, expressed gratitude towards the students who participated and the university administration for organizing the event during Mental Health Awareness Month.

“These games reinforced our core values, especially as we encourage students not only to attend lectures but also to explore other skills and talents. At KIU, we promote sports because it is vital for the mental health of both students and staff,” she said.

Joyce Shakiro, the Dean of Students, congratulated all the colleges and schools that participated and encouraged those that fell short to do better next time.

"I want to congratulate everyone who participated in this gala. This was a victory for everyone at KIU. Thank you for exploring the heights. Those who didn’t do well, you need to improve next time," she said.

The Guild President, Yvonne Keinembazi, and the Guild Union Sports Minister, Erasmus Ampereza, thanked the university administration on behalf of all students for what they described as “a successful gala.”

“The administration was fully committed to this, and we can't find better words to express our gratitude. We also thank the students who participated in different games and those who came in large numbers to support their faculties,” Keinembazi said in her remarks.

The KIU Inter-Faculty Sports Gala was not just a competition but a celebration of teamwork, talent, and mental well-being. With students excelling in both academics and extracurricular activities, the gala reflected KIU’s mission to foster well-rounded individuals and build a vibrant, inclusive university culture.