By Daniel Nyeko
KCCA Volleyball Club were crowned the women’s champions of the National Volleyball Clubs Championship after defeating defending champions Sport-S Volleyball Club in Gulu on Sunday.
The victory capped a dominant weekend for KCCA, who powered through the two-day tournament organized by the Northern Uganda Volleyball Association (NUVA) in partnership with the Uganda Volleyball Federation (UVF).
The championship took place across three venues — Pece Primary School Ground, Pece Secondary School Ground, and Pece Vanguard Primary School Ground — and featured 27 teams from across the country.
In the women’s category, KCCA topped a strong field that included sides like KCB Nkumba, Vision Volleyball Club (VVC), and hosts Gulu City Volleyball Club.
KCCA cruised through the quarterfinals by eliminating Nemo Stars, before sweeping VVC 3-0 in the semifinals to set up a showdown with Sport-S. In the final, they outplayed their rivals to lift the title and secure Uganda’s slot at next year’s Africa Clubs Championship.
Head coach Shillah Omuriwe Buyungo was emotional after the win, saying it was a special milestone in her journey with the club.
“It feels so surreal. I’ve spent four years with this institution, and during that time, we’ve won the league and now the National Clubs Championship. I’m proud of the team and hopeful we’ll make a mark at the Africa Clubs Championship,” she said.
In the men’s competition, Nemo Stars and KCCA advanced to the final after beating UCU and Sport-S respectively in the semifinals.
However, the title decider was halted due to lighting issues, with Nemo Stars leading 25-21 and 25-20. UVF announced that the men’s final will be replayed in Kampala at a later date to be confirmed.
Before the finals, UVF president Sadick Nasiwu and NUVA chairperson Dieperink Varinia (popularly known as “Lanyero”) inspected a new sports and recreation center in Unyama, along the Gulu-Kitgum road.
The facility, built by the non-profit organization World Embrace, features four volleyball courts, with more under construction, aimed at promoting sports development in northern Uganda.
