By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus-KIU is among 24 Universities that have signed up for the 2023 Pepsi University Football League. The draws held at Kati-Kati Restaurant in Kampala on Thursday, 23rd February 2023 placed the team in group D alongside Kumi, Busitema and arch rivals Uganda Christian University(UCU).

KIU returns to the University football league after being absent for the last two editions following disruptions caused by COVID-19. The season will kick off on 7^th march 2023 and this will be the 11th edition of the league that is organized by AUUS alongside Red Rhino Sports management

KIU coach, Geoffrey Akabwai is delighted that the University is back in the ultimate national inter-university football competition.

‘’Personally I feel so happy and privileged to see that my University is back in the university Football league once again. This will help the players to exhibit the talents that we have at the university and will help them enhance their academics since sports teaches you various interpersonal skills such as patience, communication, leadership, punctuality, accountability, teamwork, trust, ‘’he said

‘’It will also give the players a chance to market the university since the university will get mileage on so many platforms like newspapers, Radio stations, Televisions among others,’’ he added

Akabwai is confident that his boys will make it out of the tough group D which comprises teams he’s faced and beaten before.

‘’We have played all the teams in our group before (UCU, IUIU and Kumi) and are familiar with their style of play. We simply have to adapt and be focused and ensure we win all our games at home and lose no points away, ’he noted

Other groups include Group A which has the defending champions Uganda Martyrs University, Bugema University, University of Kisubi and Kabale University.

Group B which comprises of Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Victoria University, YMCA and Islamic University In Uganda (IUIU)

The teams in group E are St Lawrence University, International University of East Africa (IUEA), Nkumba University and Gulu University.

Whereas Group F has two Ankole-based institutions Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Bishop Stuart which have been joined by two-time champions Kampala University (2013 and 2016) and new boys, Isbat University.