KAMPALA – The Uganda Police Force Handball Club (Women) and UPDF Handball Club (Men) emerged as back-to-back champions of the Uganda Handball Federation (UHF) Champions League 2024/25 after a weekend of electrifying action. The tournament, which serves as the season opener, saw the nation’s top four teams battle for supremacy in a high-stakes knockout format. The climactic finals, held before an enthusiastic crowd of over 520 fans, were graced by Omar Ali, an Executive Committee Member of the Futsal Association of Uganda, alongside UHF’s Heads of Technical Commissions.
In the women’s final, Police edged out their arch-rivals, Prisons Handball Club, in a thrilling two-legged encounter. The first leg, played on Saturday, March 1, saw Police secure a narrow 36-34 victory, setting the stage for a pulsating rematch. The second leg on Sunday was no less intense, with Police holding their nerve to clinch a 32-31 win, sealing their triumph with an aggregate score of 68-65. Their disciplined defense and clinical execution in attack proved decisive as they reclaimed their status as the nation’s elite handball queens.
The men’s category saw UPDF Handball Club extend their dominance by securing a third consecutive UHF Champions League title. The army side dismantled Makerere University Handball Club in the finals with a commanding 49-33 victory, reaffirming their supremacy. Makerere, who advanced to the final through a bye after Ndejje University’s withdrawal, struggled to contain UPDF’s relentless offensive onslaught. UPDF had earlier stormed past Prisons in the semifinals, demonstrating their tactical discipline and sheer physicality en route to the coveted title.
As the season’s curtain-raiser, the UHF Champions League remains a pivotal event in Uganda’s handball calendar. It not only provides an intense battleground for the country’s best teams but also serves as a qualification platform for regional and continental championships. The top four teams earn the right to represent Uganda at the East and Central Africa Handball Federation (ECAHF) Club Championship, while the winners qualify for the prestigious CAHB competitions, including the Champions League and the Cup Winners’ Cup.
With the 2024/25 season now in full swing, Uganda’s handball fraternity turns its attention to the domestic league and upcoming international engagements. The commanding performances by Police and UPDF have set an early benchmark, and as the battle for handball supremacy continues, their rivals will be keen to mount a formidable challenge in the months ahead.
