Kampala — NDEJJE University edged out their closest rivals Kampala International University (KIU) to emerge champions of the 6th edition of the East Africa University Games (EAUG).

The Luwero-based university bagged 24 gold, 19 silver and 21 bronze medals from 12 sporting disciplines to record their first ever championship in the games that climaxed on Friday evening in Kampala.

KIU, with 19 gold, 6 silver and 7 bronze medals were second. University of Nairobi collected 10 gold, 2 silver and 8 bronze medals to take third position.

But before the awards ceremony at Lugogo Indoor Stadium, there was a player who almost beat up an umpire during the men's basketball final between KIU and Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono.

Star player Isaac Afidra (KIU) came to near blows with umpire Mande Baker after he had been ejected for accumulating five individual fouls.

Afidra was riled that one umpire could call four fouls on him yet there were two others on court. Fans from both sides also threw objects on court putting the match officials at risk.

The game came to a halt with five minutes to go and couldn't continue until security was called in. KIU later lost the game 47-50. Twenty two universities from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and hosts Uganda took part but 'mercenaries' especially on the Ugandan sides overshadowed the games.

Dar es Salaam University of Tanzania will host the next edition of the games in December 2008. Makerere University didnot participate in because of the unexpected closure of the University by government.