A dramatic twist that highlights both the importance of due process and the power of perseverance, Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC has secured a place in the semifinals of the 2025 FUFA Women’s Cup but not without rewriting history.
The original quarterfinal clash between Kawempe Muslim and She Corporate FC, played on May 21, had ended 1-1 after regulation time. According to FUFA competition rules, such a result should have triggered 30 minutes of extra time. But in a baffling move, match officials instead sent both teams straight into a penalty shootout, a clear breach of protocol.
Kawempe Muslim, stunned by the decision, refused to let it go uncontested. The club filed a formal protest with the FUFA Disciplinary Panel (FDP), citing a violation of the official competition rules.
Their case was bolstered when the match referee, under review, admitted to the officiating error in a supplemental report.
She Corporate, for their part, claimed innocence, asserting they had merely followed the instructions given by the match official on the day.
After a thorough review, the FDP ruled decisively, the premature penalty shootout was nullified, and the remaining 30 minutes of extra time would be played to determine a legitimate winner.
That long-awaited moment finally came on Sunday, June 1, when the teams reconvened to finish what had been left incomplete. And this time, justice played out on the pitch.
Jovia Nakagolo became the hero of the hour, scoring in extra time to hand Kawempe Muslim a hard-fought 2-1 victory and with it, a ticket to the semifinals.
The FUFA Competitions Department had swiftly scheduled the extra-time replay once the ruling was made, aiming to preserve the integrity of the tournament timeline.
Official communications about the replay date and venue were distributed ahead of the June 1 match.
With the matter now firmly resolved, the semifinals are set. Kawempe Muslim will face St. Noa, while the other semifinal will feature a showdown between Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC and Amus WFC.
