KIU Claims Overall Silver at Mashariki Open Karate Tournament

By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus — Kampala International University (KIU) delivered a strong performance on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the 2026 Mashariki Open Karate Tournament, finishing as first runners-up in a highly competitive field at the International Fistul Courts in Mukono.

The one-day tournament attracted top male and female karate teams from leading Ugandan universities, including Makerere University, Kampala University, Uganda Christian University (UCU) and Ndejje University, as well as regional contenders.

Burundi’s Rukinzo Karate Club emerged as overall champions after an impressive showing across multiple categories.

KIU stood out with a balanced and disciplined display, collecting a total of 15 medals—four gold, four silver, and seven bronze—to secure overall silver.

The university’s athletes demonstrated technical precision and resilience throughout the competition, consistently reaching podium positions in both kata and kumite events.

Their performance underscored KIU’s growing stature in university-level martial arts and highlighted the effectiveness of its training programs.

KIU’s medal haul placed them ahead of several established university teams, reinforcing their position among the top karate programs in the country. The result also reflects the institution’s continued investment in sports development and athlete preparation.

Speaking after the tournament, Annet Kabasindi, the sports tutor for KIU Main campus, praised the athletes for their commitment and fighting spirit, noting that the performance is a strong foundation to build on for upcoming competitions.

“The Karate team never disappoints; they always deliver. Both boys and girls, including their coach, are very committed to winning every time they go out there,” she said.

The Mashariki Open serves as a key platform for talent development and regional competition, bringing together some of East Africa’s most promising karate practitioners.

KIU will now turn its focus to maintaining momentum as the season progresses, with hopes of converting strong performances into championship titles in future tournaments, including this year's Eastern Africa University games in Tanzania.