When the skies lit up the Regionals last year, one name began to echo across the field: Disan Mwebe.
Though still in the shadows of older players, the young forward made his mark, helping his team progress to the finals of the prestigious Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) tournament.
“I was a bit younger, so I wasn’t given much playing time,” he recalls, “But what I saw showed me that preparation was key.”
Despite battling injuries, Disan fought his way back to the pitch, playing all the district games and three critical regional matches before injury struck again. “It was heartbreaking not to finish the tournament, but I learnt a lot resilience most of all.”
Born and raised in the dusty lanes of Kiboga, Disan’s journey began like many others, barefoot, chasing a worn-out ball across makeshift pitches.
“I started playing football at the age of seven in Primary One, just playing for fun like any other child,” he says.
But fate intervened early. Coach Kyeyune Umar, seeing a spark, took Disan from Kyekumbya Dance Primary School to Kizinga Islamic Centre where he placed the young boy in the U-12 team, despite his tender age.
“Coach Umar was like a father figure to me,” Disan says.
“He believed in me before I even knew how far this game could take me.”
In 2018, Disan transitioned to Rays of Grace Academy, led by Coach Michael Kabali, a move that would shape his footballing path.
“It was at Rays of Grace where we really started dreaming bigger.”
After completing primary school, he and his teammates were placed at St Julian School, Seeta Campus under the guidance of director Rays of Grace, Robert Kiwanuka.
It wasn’t easy at first new environments, new expectations but Disan was determined.
“We had promised in the beginning we were going to help the school qualify and win the trophy. And we did just that.”
Life at St Julian isn’t for the faint-hearted. Disan’s day starts at 4 a.m., with classes running from 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., followed by intense training sessions until 6 p.m.
Evening prep keeps them locked in study mode until 9 p.m. Weekends offer a small reprieve, but for footballers, it’s a chance to catch up on missed classwork and sharpen their game.
“It’s a tight schedule,” Disan admits. “But it keeps us disciplined.”
Before the lights and trophies, Disan knew hardship intimately. “I didn’t have playing boots in the beginning,” he says quietly.
“And my mum wouldn’t always allow me to play. So I would just go and serve the balls that went out of the pitch during games.”
Those humble moments remain etched in his memory. His mother, his greatest supporter, remains a key figure in his life.
“Whenever something isn’t going well, she’s the first person I talk to,” he says.
From Kyekumbya Dance P/S (2016) to Kizinga Islamic Centre (2017), Rays of Grace Academy (2018) to the current spotlight at St Julian School, Disan’s growth has been steady and electric.
On the field, he’s known for his blistering pace, two-footed finesse and versatility. “I play mostly on the wings, left or right but I can also step into right-back if needed.”
His adaptability makes him a vital asset in every squad he’s part of. “He reminds me of young Sadio Mané,” one of his coaches once said.
But for Disan, the journey is just beginning. “I want to wear the National Team jersey one day,” he says with quiet conviction.
“And of course, I dream of playing professional football in Europe. But right now, I’m focused on winning more titles for St Julian.”
Beyond trophies and transfers, Disan holds a higher purpose. “I want to inspire kids like me, kids from Kiboga or anywhere who may not have boots, who may not be seen right now. I want them to be patient and to give their all when their chance comes.”
From a dusty field in Kiboga to the competitive arenas of schoolboy football, Disan Mwebe is not just chasing a dream.
