Uganda Martyrs Lubaga Women Football Club are the winners of the 2022/23 FUFA Women’s Cup. The Kiddawalime Girls defeated She Maroons in the final on Saturday at Bishop Maraka College Playground in Kumi district.
The Lubaga based side etched their names in the books of history by clinching the fourth edition.
FUFA second Vice President Darius Mugoye was the Chief guest at the final. He was in the company of FUFA CEO Edgar Watson and FUFA Executive Committee members Rogers Mulindwa and Agnes Mugena.
In a closely contested game, captain Catherine Nagadya scored the only goal of the game that led Uganda Martyrs to glory.
This is the first ever title for Uganda Martyrs Lubaga who have been in existence since 2006.
The final was indeed befitting given the performance from either side. However, it was Uganda Martyrs that got the better chances.
Shamusa Najjuma and Nagadya should have given Uganda Martyrs the lead in the opening twenty minutes but they both missed on different intervals.
At one time, the Lubaga based outfit was the woodwork thrice in quick succession.
The second half saw the heavens open up and it was Uganda Martyrs that lasted the distance.
The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when Nagadya found the breakthrough and this eventually turned out to be the decisive moment of the game.
Uganda Martyrs become the fourth team to win the FUFA Women’s Cup following Olila High School (2017), UCU Lady Cardinals (2018) and Makerere University WFC (2019).
It should be noted that the 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions were not held due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Individual Accolades
Top Scorer – Anita Babirye (She Maroons) – 3 Goals
Most Valuable Player – Catherine Nagadya (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC)
Best Goalkeeper – Sharon Norah Kaidu (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC)
Uganda’s junior women national teams have on Thursday learnt the teams they will be facing in the qualifiers for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments.
Both the Queen Cranes (Uganda U20 Women’s National Team) and the Teen Queens (Uganda U17 Women’s National Team) were part of the draws conducted at CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
Teen Cranes (U17)
The Teen Cranes will face Cameroon at the second round on a home and away basis. Both teams got a bye at the first round.
Uganda will host the first leg between 2nd -4th of February next year with the return leg coming a week later.
The winner on aggregate will face either Zambia or Tanzania in the third round.
It should be noted that there are four qualifying rounds with three teams getting the chance to represent Africa.
FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier Format:
First Round: Composed of two (2) teams. (The 2 teams are determined according to their participation in the last U17 Women’s World Cup editions).
Second Round: The qualified teams from the first round in addition to the twenty-three (23) exempted teams will play in the second round. 12 teams will qualify for the 3rd round.
Third Round: The 12 qualified teams will play the third round qualifying 6 teams for the 4th round.
Fourth Round: The 6 qualified teams will play the fourth round qualifying three (3) teams for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
Queen Cranes (U20)
At the same draw event, the Uganda U20 was pitted against Mozambique in the second qualifying phase after earning a bye at the first round.
The games will be played in October this year with Uganda hosting the first leg between 6th -8th with the return leg coming a week later.
The winner on aggregate will face either Senegal or Benin in the third round in November.
FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup™ Qualifier Format:
First round: Composed of 6 teams. (The 6 teams are determined according to their participation in the last U20 Women’s World Cup editions).
Second round: The 3 qualified teams from the first round in addition to the 29 exempted teams will play the 2nd round. 16 teams will qualify for the 3rd round.
Third round: The 16 qualified teams will play the 3rd round qualifying 8 teams for the 4th round.
Fourth round: The 8 qualified teams will play the 4th round qualifying 4 teams to the 5th round.
Fifth Round: The 4 qualified teams will play the last round qualifying 2 teams to the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
The fourth edition of the FUFA Women’s Cup will come to a climax on Saturday. 10th June 2023 with the final between FUFA Women’s Elite League Champions elect She Maroons and Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC at Bishop Maraka SS Playground in Kumi district.
Knockout competitions often present surprises and the FUFA Women’s Cup has not been exceptional with the aforementioned two teams defying odds to reach the final.
The tournament returned this year after a three-year lull due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and since the start of this year’s edition in February, action across various grounds has offered thrills and spills.
In this article, we look how both She Maroons FC and Uganda Martyrs Ladies FC have reached the final.
ROUND OF 32
Jinja SS WFC 1(2) -1(4) She Maroons
She Maroons needed a penalty shootout to edge past Jinja SS at the round of 32. Normal time ended 1-1 with Lillian Kasuubo scoring for the Prison Sentries.
Mbarara Royals FC vs Uganda Martys Lubaga WFC
Uganda Martyrs earned a walkover over Mbarara Royals at this stage with the latter withdrawing from the competition at the 11th hour.
ROUND OF 16
Rines SS WFC 2(4) – 2(5) She Maroons FC
The Prison Sentries were subjected to yet another tense penalty shootout, this time against FUFA Women Super League side Rines SS WFC.
The game played at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium ended in a 2-2 draw but once again, they emerged winners, coming out perfect in the shootout with a 5-4 score-line.
She Geme FC 0-2 Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC
The Kiddawalime Girls earned a 2-0 win over non-league entity She Geme in Fort Portal City thanks to goals from Latifah Nakasi and Rebecca Nandhengo.
QUARTERFINALS
She Maroons FC 2-1 Olila High School
There was another FUFA Women Super League team for She Maroons to face, this time Olila High School at the quarterfinal stage.
The Luzira based side put up a remarkable performance to eject Olila with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Anita Babirye and Winnie Kyomugisha.
Makerere University 1-2 Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC
Uganda Martyrs eliminated holders Makerere University with a 2-1 win. This was revenge for the loss in the league that had happened just a week before the quarterfinal contest.
Captain Catherine Nagadya and Latifah Nakasi were on target for the Kiddawalime Girls while Daphine Nalubowa got the consolation goal for the University side.
SEMIFINALS
Asubo Gafford Ladies 2-3 She Maroons FC (Aggregate Score)
She Maroons FC won the first leg 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Anita Babirye and Kenyan striker Millicent Namwembe.
Despite losing the return leg 2-1 at Kampala Quality Primary School, Plaground, She Maroons advanced to the final with an aggregate score of 3-2. Kamiyati Naigaga and Zaitun Namaganda scored for Gafford Ladies while the vital away goal for the Prison Sentries came from Lillian Kasubo.
Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC 0-1 Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC (Aggregate Score)
Viola Namuddu’s solitary goal in the first leg at St. Gerald’s stadium was enough to guide Uganda Martyrs to the final because the second leg played at the Valley Ground in Kawempe ended in a barren stalemate.
FC Tooro Queens kept their hopes of returning to the FUFA Women Super League following their win over Luweero Giant Queens on Saturday.
In the game played at Kalule Playground, the Queens from Fort Portal City earned a 2-0 win.
Mary Kabaculezi and Sharon Kanyiginya scored a goal each to help the Rogers Ayesiga coached side move to second place on 33 points thus displacing Wakiso Hills who have 31 points.
Tooro Queens now have one more game to play to wrap up the season. Wakiso Hill on the other hand have two more games and a chance to return to second place and thus secure promotion.
They will however have a mountain to climb in their penultimate game as they visit Champions elect She Maroons FC who already confirmed their promotion.
The Prison sentries have 45 points and lost just one game the entire season.
They also won their game on Saturday against Bunyaruguru United. Stella Akullo, Lillian Kasubo and Winnie Kyomugisha scored a goal apiece.
In the other game played, Isra Soccer Academy edged past Goldstar High School in Gangu thanks to goals from Lydia Namaseruka and Josephine Nalule.
It should be noted that the top two sides qualify to the FUFA Women Super League while the bottom two drop to their respective regional leagues.
Uganda Senior Women’s National Football team, the Crested Cranes have been drawn against neighbours Rwanda in the CAF Women’s Olympics Football tournament qualifiers.
The final tournament will take place in Paris, France next year.
In the draws conducted on Tuesday afternoon in Cairo, Egypt, the Crested Cranes were pitted in Pot 4 comprising of CECAFA and COSAFA nations namely Mozambique, Namibia Tanzania and Ethiopia.
According to the draw format, teams in pot 4 had play face any of the nations from Pot 3 which compromised of teams from UNIFAC, COSAFA and CECAFA I.e Chad, Congo Brazaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Rwanda.
The outcome of the draw pitted Uganda against Rwanda and the games will be played between 10th -18th July with the former hosting first.
The most recent engagement between the two Nations saw Uganda triumph 2-0 at CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship last year thanks to Ikwaput’s brace.
It should noted that Uganda took part in the qualifiers for the previous edition (2020) but eliminated at the first round by Ethiopia.
The winner on aggregate between Uganda and Rwanda will face Cameroon who are one of the seven teams that got a bye at this stage.
Only two teams from Africa will play at the final tournament in Paris, France.
Crested Cranes will face neighbours Rwanda at the first round of the 2024 Women’s Olympic football tournament qualifiers.
The two neighbouring countries were pitted together in the draw event held on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt.
The Crested Cranes will host the first leg before the two teams face off in the return leg in Kigali, Rwanda with the games slated for 10th -18th July 2023.
The winner on aggregate will advance to the second round where Cameroon awaits. The latter got a bye at this stage.
It should be noted that Uganda defeated Rwanda 2-0 in the recent engagement thanks to Fazila Ikwaput’s brace the 2022 CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship.
Shamirah Nalugya in action against Rwanda during the 2022 CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship.
Crested Cranes took part in the qualifiers for the previous edition (2020) but got eliminated at the first round at the hands of Ethiopia.
The target therefore this time will to better the performance in the last outing and hope to secure a slot the coveted tournament.
It should be noted that Africa is allocated only two slots at the Women’s Olympic Football tournament.
FUFA Women Super League 2022/23 season— Final Day results
Makerere University WFC 1-0 UCU Lady Cardinals Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC 3-0 Olila HS WFC Kampala Queens FC 1-1 Lady Doves FC She Corporate FC 2-2 Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC Asubo Gafford Ladies FC 4-3 Rines SS WFC
Kampala Queens FC capped the final day of the league season with a 1-1 draw against Lady Doves FC before they were crowned new champions of the FUFA Women Super League at IUIU, Kabojja.
The ‘Queens of Soccer’ as known by their faithful, almost won the title unbeaten. They amassed an impressive 47 points from 18 games with 15 wins, 2 draws and one loss came at the hands of record League champions Kawempe Muslim Ladies three days ago.
Kampala Queens FC celebrated euphorically and rightly so after missing out on the championship last season by just a goal difference having conceded one more compared to eventual Champions, She Corporate who sadly will not be playing in the top flight next season.
Now after winning the championship with a 14-point difference over runners-up Kawempe Muslim (33 points), the Mutundwe-based side will have every reason to erase last year’s painful miss after recording their best season this year in the club’s history and in style. The team fans went wild in a wave of enthusiastic cheering, blowing plastic trumpets ‘vuvuzelas’, singing, dancing and chanting the names of their respective favourite players.
Final match day tension and drama
Heading into the game, Kampala Queens FC had already secured their maiden league title in spectacular fashion with 4 games to play.
However, the Lady Doves FC were a different opponent with reserved ideas on a wet day at the Kabojja grounds. Lady Doves needed a win to be safe and remain in the top flight but results from the other four matches on the day had a bearing as well on their life span in the FUFA Women Super League.
At IUIU Kabojja where the champions’ crowning ceremony took place, Lady Doves wanted to spoil the party for their own survival. The Masindi side got into the lead in the 33rd minute through Joweria Nagadya. This result gave Lady Doves the boasting rights on the day as they were assured of survival. However, their efforts were fizzled as they conceded in the 3rd minute of additional time of the second half with almost the last kick of the game when Resty Nanziri capitalized on futile clearance to beat goalkeeper Rose Bamaniriza from close range. The game ended 1-1 which meant the 2020/21 champions had been relegated to the FUFA Women Elite league only to be saved by a late Kawempe Muslim Ladies 2-2 draw with She Corporates at MUBS, Nakawa Ground.
Going into the last round of games half of the teams were still not sure of safety and needed to win their respective games and additionally hope results from other games were favourable.
Asubo Gafford Ladies needed to beat Rines SS WFC to stand a chance. Their efforts were rewarded as they achieved an emphatically 4-3 victory with Zaitun Namaganda netting a hattrick and Evelyn Nassuna scoring for the home side while Jesca Namanda got another treble of the day for the visitors.
In Lubaga, the visitors Olila HS WFC who started the final match at the bottom with 17 points needed more than a miracle to save their neck because they were in a far more disadvantaged position than any of the other relegation candidates. Olila lost the game 3-0 at the hands of their hosts Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga WFC to stay bottom and subsequently say goodbye to the FUFA Women Super League. Latifah Nakasi and Brenda Munyana with a brace scored for the home side.
In Makerere where the ‘University Derby’ highlighted another classic on the final day of the season, the Makerere University side who squandered their chance to beat the drop ahead of time when they conceded a late equalizer against Asubo Gafford Ladies on match day 17 needed to beat another University side UCU Lady Cardinals to stand any chance. A Husna Mpanja first-half strike from a penalty spot handed a Fred Ndawula-coached side a much-needed 1-0 win over UCU to survive as they finished 5th on 22 points (same with UCU in 4th).
Defending Champions relegated
The defending champions She Corporate FC provided the shocker of the day when they got relegated on the final day given their inferior goal difference of negative one against Lady Doves’ positive three after tying on points with 20 points apiece.
She Corporate like other relegation contenders needed to beat Kawempe Muslim Ladies a side that had the best run of form in the second round and ended up producing the league’s top scorer and Most Valuable Player (MVP) midfielder Shakira Nyinagahirwa.
The hosts seemed to have understood the assignment going into the halftime break with a comfortable 2-0 lead courtesy of Ithung Zian and Winnie Nabbaale’s goals meaning they were safe up to that time.
However, the ‘Valley Warriors’ rallied from behind in the second half to score two goals through Nabukenya Agnes and Nalukoda Susan to condemn the Sharks after the game ended two all.
Individual, Team Awards as Shaika Nyinagahirwa shines brightest
The Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC midfielder turned striker has had a season to remember having scooped both the MVP and top scorer awards of the FUFA Women Super League. Her brilliant form saw her score 12 goals and end with seven (7) assists to lift the league record champions to second place shrugging off a challenge from fierce rivals Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga and UCU Lady Cardinals.
Kampala Queens’ custodian Daisy Nakaziro emerged as the best goalkeeper after keeping 9 clean sheets from 12 games and conceding just thrice.
Kawempe Muslim ended Kampala Queens unbeaten run this season following a narrow win on Thursday.
In the penultimate game of the season, Agnes Nabukenya scored the solitary goal to hand Kawempe Muslim maximum points.
The decisive moment came in the 53rd minute when goalkeeping Gloria Namakula spilled the ball into the path of Nabukenya.
This was the first loss for Kampala Queens whole season. Coincidentally, the last league loss for the Queens of Soccer came in the FUFA Women’s Cup against the same opponent.
The result leaves Kampala Queens on 46 points while Kawempe Muslim stay second on 32 points.
In the other game played on Thursday, Rines SS defeated She Corporate 4-2 to all but guarantee their safety.
Phiona Arach, Eva Nagayi and Jesca Namanda (brace) scored for Rines while She Corporate got their consolation goals through Spencer Nakacwa.
Rines on 21 points can afford to lose the final game and survive relegation on goal difference if the Asubo Gafford Ladies win.
She Corporate on the other hand will need to win against Kawempe Muslim in their final game.
The title could have been wrapped up early enough but the fight for safety in the FUFA Women Super League gets tighter as the season nears its climax.
All the three games played on Wednesday morning had a relegation contest and the results registered meant, every team that is still engulfed in the relegation fight will know their fate on the final day.
Lady Doves boosted their chances of survival with an emphatic 3-2 win over Uganda Martyrs at Katusabe Stadium, Masindi.
Resty Kobusobozi, Norah Alupo and Diana Nantongo scored a goal each for Lady Doves while Catherine Nagadya netted a brace for Uganda Martyrs in a losing effort.
The win lifted Lady Doves off the base of the table and are currently fifth with 19 points but will confirm their safety on Sunday as the visit Champions Kampala Queens.
In Soroti, Olila High School came from a goal down to salvage a point off UCU Lady Cardinals. The result meant UCU are out of relegation danger while Olila dropped to the base of the table on 17 points.
Asubo Gafford Ladies needed a stoppage time equalizer from a deflected Kamiyati Naigaga to deny Makerere University maximum points and give themselves a lifeline.
Sharon Namatovu had fired Makerere in the lead and the visitors seemed to be taking all three points until a defence mix up gifted Naigaga who made no mistake to fire home.
Gafford Ladies are now second from bottom on 17 points and will need maximum points against Rines in the final game to survive.
On the other hand, Makerere University on 19 points equally will go into the game against UCU Lady Cardinals trying to avoid defeat.
Action continues on Thursday with two games. Champions in waiting Kampala Queens will have their unbeaten run on the line as they take on Kawempe Muslim, a team that eliminated them from the FUFA Women’s Cup.
At Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium in Wakiso, Rines SS will host She Corporate in a relegation six-pointer.
Kawempe Muslim continued with their brilliant performance this year, picking yet another victory on matchday 16 over the weekend.
The Valley Warriors are unbeaten in 2023, winning six of the seven league games played.
On Sunday, Kawempe Muslim had to come from a goal down to defeat Uganda Martyrs in Lubaga.
Shakirah Nyinagahirwa (in red) attempts to go past Kevin Nakacwa of Uganda Martyrs
Angel Kigongo fired the hosts into the lead but Kawempe Muslim fought back to win 3-1 thanks to goals from Shakirah Nyinagahirwa, Phiona Nabulime and Hadijah Nandago.
The win keeps Kawempe Muslim in second place on 29 points, Uganda Martyrs on the other hand remain 4th on 25 points.
Makerere University earned a 3-0 win over Olila to boost their chances of surviving relegation.
Husinah Mpanja, Sharon Namatovu and Josephine Ndagire scored a goal each to help SHE MAK move up to 7th place on 18 points.
On the other hand, the loss pushed Olila to the base of the log on 16 points.
Elsewhere, Asubo Gafford Ladies earned a point against She Corporate in the barren stalemate played on Sunday.
The point helped Gafford to move out of the drop zone and are currently eighth with 17 points.
Lady Doves who are still within the relegation zone played out a two-all draw on Saturday in Mukono.
The game between Kampala Queens and Rines was initially supposed to be played on Sunday but was postponed to Monday after a heavy downpour left the pitch unplayable.
Kampala Queens won the closely contested game 2-1 thanks to goals from Resty Nanziri and Margaret Kunihira.
The consolation goal for Rines was scored by Eva Naggayi who converted from the spot.
The FUFA-UEFA football for women programme came to a climax on Friday after four days of the workshop at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.
The Programme is aimed at supporting national associations to develop women in football on all levels, on and off the pitch.
UEFA Assist facilitators Eva Pasquier, Monika Staab and Julie Anna McGeever took participants through several training modules on key topics related to football for women and the importance of women being represented at all levels.
They also shared best practices for developing football for women and provide assistance in preparing an operational plan.
FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha who represented FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses at the closing ceremony lauded UEFA for the workshop and indicated the federation is willing to put into effect the ideas generated.
FUFA 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha.
‘As FUFA we are grateful to UEFA for the continued support. The workshop has been resourceful and we hope to implement whatever has been discussed here.’ He said.
FUFA 2nd Vice President Darius Mugoye and FUFA Executive Committee members Ronnie Kalema, Sam Mpiima, Rogers Mulindwa and Agnes Mugena also attended the workshop.
FUFA Football Development Director Ali Mwebe believes this workshop has been an eye opener in so many areas and the strategy laid will aid in the transformation of women’s football in Uganda.
FUFA Football Development Director Ali Mwebe.
‘We applied for this programme last year and I’m glad that it was extended to us. If you look at the content of discussion, a lot of ideas have been generated and if put into effect will help in the development of the game.’ Mwebe noted.
UEFA has had a long standing relationship with FUFA with several interventions made in the past.
Last year, UEFA conducted a Football League Development programme and also extended equipment for pitch maintenance.
The FUFA-UEFA football for women programme got underway on Monday at Imperial Royale. The four-day workshop that puts emphasis on women in leadership was officially opened by FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim.
He was flanked by FUFA 2nd Vice President Darius Mugoye, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson, FUFA Deputy CEO-Football Decolas Kiiza, FUFA EXCO Member Agnes Mugena and Uganda Women Football Association Chairperson Margret Kubingi.
The President indicated FUFA has been deliberate in engaging women at all levels and having such a seminar is testament enough.
‘We have had a deliberate strategy at FUFA to incorporate women in management. If you look at our staff, there are women at all levels including directors. Even in the General Assembly, we used to have one or two women but a resolution was made four years ago to have their number increase and we now have more than ten.’ Said the President.
He also highlighted the importance of having women in leadership roles because they have unique values.
‘Women naturally come along with unique values which men may not have. We were all raised by mothers and the challenges they through to nurture us, I believe could present them as good leaders. I therefore urge football to embrace women and let us interest them in loving football.’
The President also lauded UEFA for the continued support towards Uganda and hopes these interventions will have lasting impact on the game of football.
‘We are grateful to UEFA for the continued support in various areas. The good relationship between FUFA and UEFA has already paid dividends in the past and I believe this workshop will have a positive impact in transforming football in Uganda.’
Head of International Relations at UEFA Eva Pasquier thanked FUFA for always cooperating and implementing the strategies put in place.
‘I want to express gratitude on behalf of UEFA and my own behalf to FUFA for the good relationship. Actually, we appreciate that Uganda is one of the best nations in Africa in terms of structures and strategies and we hope this intervention will equally be resourceful.’ She stated.
About the Programme
Granted by UEFA National Association Committee after application. The Programme is a comprehensive range of workshops that showcase how to implement effective governance structures to grow women’s football and increase awareness and participation.
The workshops also demonstrate how to successfully professionalize, commercialize, promote and market women’s football and women in football.
The Programme is in line with the President’s manifesto that is hinged on improving women football in three areas namely;
Increase the number of women involved in administration, women/girls playing football
Improve the quality of women’s football competitions
Engage all age categories of Women National Team in CECAFA, CAF and FIFA Competitions.
Programme activities
Day 1 and 2
Women in leadership seminar (only women participants)
Topics – Women in leadership, your career in football, developing your skills and shaping the culture.
Day 3 and 4
Topics – Importance of Technical development, general income for women football, governance and administration, Marketing and Communications, operational planning.
Facilitators
Eva Pasquier – Head of International Relations, UEFA
Monika Staab – Technical Director Women’s Football, Saudi Arabia
The three-day FIFA Women’s Football Campaign Launch in the West Nile Region ended on April 3rd, 2023. The event was graced by FIFA Representative Violet Jubane, District Vice Chairperson Hon. Asea Bosco, the secretary in charge of social services Alema Ricky, and Chairperson West Nile Region F.A. Ade Fredrick Isaac.
FIFA representative Violet Jubane expressed her happiness about how the event has turned out and commended the leaders for accepting to take lead in ensuring that it is a success.
“We are really happy with the outcome and people have come in large numbers to witness this.” – Violet Jubane, FIFA Representative
“The local community leaders have shown a lot of support and have given us assurance that they will continue to spread the word about football working together with the schools and other sports leaders” – Violet Jubane, FIFA Representative
“From day one to day three, we are happy that the schools that have been invited have come.” – Violet Jubane, FIFA Representative
Representatives from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) that attended the launch included Executive Committee Member Ibrahim Rasoul Ariga, Deputy CEO Decolas Kiiza, Football Development Director Ali Mwebe, Competitions Director Aisha Nalule, and Women Development Officer Joan Namusisi.
While addressing the audience at the event, the Executive Committee Member, Ibrahim Rasoul Ariga, re-echoed one of FUFA’s goals; to make Uganda the number one footballing nation on and off the field of play. He went ahead and thanked FIFA through FUFA for bringing the campaign to the West Nile Region because for the goal to be achieved, the young generation have to be involved.
The chairperson of the Uganda Women Football Association (UWFA) Margret Kubingi told the media at the press conference that the campaign has opened the eyes of football stakeholders in the region and big developments are expected.
“This campaign has opened the eyes of the parents, the children themselves, the teachers and also the leaders of football. Therefore we expect a very big change.” – Margret Kubingi, Chairperson UWFA
The ten primary schools from Maracha District took part in the campaign received ten balls each and jerseys from Violet Jubane, FIFA Representative. The schools included;
Cubiri Primary School
Maracha Primary School
Kololo Primary School
Robu Primary School
Kuduzia Primary School
Azipi Primary School
Ambekua Primary School
Paranga Primary School
Nyoro Primary School
Ombiabura Primary School
Cubiru primary school coach educator reacts to the campaign launch
The FIFA Women’s Football Campaign was launched in Koboko District on 2nd April 2023 in an event that was attended by FIFA Expert Violet Jubane and the District Education Officer (DEO) of Koboko Wayi Dragamula who represented the Chief Administrative Officer.
FIFA Expert, Violet Jubane
DEO, Wayi Dragamula
While speaking at the event, the District Education Officer commended FUFA and FIFA for bringing the campaign to the district and training the coach educators from the ten schools that participated in the event.
“We are starting today with girls’ football in primary schools. We are so grateful to FUFA and FIFA for training coach educators and giving the ten balls and jerseys to the participating schools in Koboko.” – Wayi Dragamula, District education officer
FUFA Executive Committee Member Chris Kalibala sharing a moment with the Koboko DEO Wayi Dragamulai
Wayi Dragamula, the DEO, went ahead and committed to the cause by promising to write a circular to all the Primary Schools to embrace Women’s Football.
“As a DEO, I promise I am going to put a circular to all the primary schools for them to embrace women’s football. As the education office, we are committed, as a district, we are committed, and we are going to promote women’s football in Koboko.” – Wayi Dragamula, District education officer
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) was represented by two Executive Committee Members Chris Kalibala and Agnes Mugena, the CEO Edgar Watson, Deputy CEO Decolas Kiiza, Chairperson of Uganda Women Football Associations Margret Kubingi, Competitions Director Aisha Nalule, Football Development Director Ali Mwebe and Chairperson of West Nile Region F.A. Ade Fredrick Isaac
The campaign ambassador and Crested Cranes defender, Bridget Nabisaalu, talked to the girls from the ten participating schools and played with them.
FIFA Expert Violet Jubane launched the FIFA Women’s Football Campaign in an event that took place at Booma Ground, Yumbe.
She was flanked by FUFA Executive Committee Members Agnes Mugena and Chris Kalibala, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson, Deputy CEO (Football) Decolas Kiiza, Chairperson Uganda Women Football Associations Margret Kubingi, FUFA Competitions Director Aisha Nalule, Football Development Director Ali Mwebe, Chairperson West Nile Football Association Ade Fredrick Isaac, Coach Instructor Jackson Nyiima and the campaign ambassador Bridget Nabisaalu.
While speaking at the launch, FIFA Expert Violet Jubane thanked the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) for organising such a successful event. She also thanked the local community for accepting the various schools to send their children to attend the event.
Speaking on behalf of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Executive Committee Member Agnes Mugena emphasised the organisation’s commitment to see the growth of Women’s Football in the Country, starting with the regions that are not represented.
FUFA Executive Member, Agnes Mugena (Left) flanked by Chairperson Uganda Women Football Associations, Margret Kubingi
The FIFA Women’s Football Campaign ambassador Bridget Nabisaalu encouraged the girls from the ten schools that attended the event by telling a story about how football has helped her so far.
Ahead of the launch of the FIFA Women’s Football Campaign, an empowerment session for grassroot coach educators was held on 31st March 2023 at the Koboko District Hall.
The event was graced by Edgar Watson the FUFA CEO, Ali Mwebe the Football Development Director, Nyiima Jackson a CAF/FUFA Coach Instructor, Ade Fredrick Isaac the Chairman of West Nile Region Football Association and Sarah Birungi the Project Coordinator.
While addressing the participants, Edgar Watson the FUFA CEO thanked them for turning up for the event.
The Football Development Director at FUFA, Ali Mwebe, implored the participants to go ahead and study coaching courses because the West Nile Region is one of the hubs of football talent in the country.
"After this training, I implore you all to take on coaching courses because this region is one of the hubs of football talent." – Ali Mwebe, Football Development Director#WomenFootballUG | #LivingFootballpic.twitter.com/2FjyYdPlTy
The instructor of the day, Nyiima Jackson, emphasised that Women’s Football is a top priority for FIFA and seeing it grow and develop is one of the key objectives.
