Final
- Bujjagali Rafters 171/6 in 20 overs
- Itanda Kayakers 172/5 in 17.5 overs
Itanda Kayakers won by 5 wickets
Simon Ssesazi saved his best for the biggest stage, steering Itanda Kayakers to the Waterfalls Men’s Elite League title with a calm, match winning half century at the Lugogo Cricket Oval on Saturday evening.
After a challenging tournament, Ssesazi rose when it mattered most. In a tense final against Bujjagali Rafters, he struck an unbeaten 76 to anchor a composed five wicket chase, finally pushing the Kayakers over the line.
Chasing 172, Itanda stumbled early when Patel Devansh fell for a duck. Any nerves quickly faded as Ssesazi settled in.
Unflustered and assured, he controlled the chase with smart strike rotation and timely boundaries, never forcing the issue.
Anas Baig added urgency with a lively 41 off 26 balls, while captain Christopher Kidega’s brisk 19 kept the asking rate in check.
The Rafters found wickets through Kasaija Enock, Dan Keith Amani, Joseph Baguma and Sowobi Yunus but the chase always felt safe while Ssesazi remained at the crease.
Fittingly, he was there at the end, guiding Itanda to 172 for 5 in 17.5 overs and sealing victory with 13 balls to spare. His knock earned him the Player of the Match award.
Earlier, Bujjagali Rafters posted a competitive 171 for 6 after choosing to bat. Fahad Mutagana started brightly with 17 off 10 balls before Robinson Obuya steadied the innings with 33.
Gerald Olipa once again led from the front, top-scoring with a fluent 54 off 35 balls, including five fours and three sixes.
Late runs from Calvin Watuwa (19), Joseph Baguma (17 off 8), Fred Achelam (10*) and Dan Keith Amani (9*) pushed the total past 170.
For Itanda, Kenneth Ogenrwot stood out with the ball, returning figures of 3 for 29, with Pius Oloka and Siraje Nsubuga also chipping in.
The title was especially sweet for the Kayakers, who had lost twice to Bujjagali in the group stage but delivered their best performance in the final.
It completed a memorable double for the club, with the Itanda Women’s Elite team also crowned champions.
Cricket Uganda’s Head of High Performance, Richard Okia, praised the tournament as a vital platform for identifying talent ahead of Under-19 qualifiers, domestic competitions and international assignments.
Although Bujjagali swept the individual honours Felix Ochan (Promising Player), Robinson Obuya (Best Batter), Joseph Baguma (Best Bowler) and Gerald Olipa (Most Valuable Player), the final belonged to Simon Ssesazi.
On the biggest day, Itanda Kayakers stood tallest, completing a dominant Elite League story in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
