It seems that year by year, we’re claiming that the previous year has been huge for women’s football in Uganda, but there is no doubt that 2023 truly put women’s football on the pedestal it deserves.
From Kampala Queens winning the maiden domestic league, Uganda Martyrs winning the historic FUFA Women’s Cup, Kawempe Muslim dominating in East Africa to rewarding the people who have made the game grow since its birth.
Women’s football produced some of its very best events in 2023. Here are some of this year’s best moments.
Uganda Celebrates Women in Football at Maiden Bonanza
On Wednesday, November 29th, 2023, the Ugandan football community gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala to celebrate the remarkable contributions of women to the sport at the inaugural Women in Football Bonanza.
Held under the theme “Football a Vehicle for National Development and Unity,” the event also served as a platform to explore new avenues for empowering women in football. Several individuals were recognized for their contributions to the game during the evening.
Rebecca Namyalo Kazibwe (RIP), also known as Maama Becca, received a posthumous award for her dedication to football. She pioneered women’s football in Uganda in the early 1990s at Nakivubo Blue Primary School. Annet Nakimbugwe was honoured for her outstanding contributions to football. She played for the Crested Cranes at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and is the mother of Hasifah Nassuna.
Ayub Khalifah Kiyingi, the head coach of Queen Cranes and Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, was also recognized for his significant contributions to women’s football in Uganda. He has coached numerous players over the years and continues to do so today. Kiyingi has served as coach of all Uganda Women’s National Football Teams at various times.
Paul Ssali, also known as Gogolimbo, a pioneer of women’s football in Uganda, was also honoured. Ssali founded Kampala United WFC, a team that produced numerous players. He also served as manager of the Crested Cranes between 2016 and 2022.
Kampala Queens Maiden League Title
Wild celebrations covered IUIU Kabojja grounds at the final whistle as Kampala Queens beat UCU Lady Cardinals to be declared champions. The 2-0 score in the FUFA Women Super League had fans’ faces crumpled and tears began to flow down their cheeks in joy.
It was on Sunday 26th March, 2023, that the Queens of Soccer wrote history as they won their first-ever Super League title. The season, almost an invincible one, saw them suffer only one defeat, a 1-0 loss to former champions Kawempe Muslim.
The Hamza Lutalo-coached team was officially crowned on 29th April 2023 on their last league game, a 1-1 draw against Lady Doves thanks to Resty Nanziri‘s late equalizer.
Uganda Martyrs Winning Historic Maiden FUFA Women’s Cup
10th June, 2023 will always be a historical day for Uganda Martyrs Lubaga Women Football Club as the day they lifted their maiden FUFA Women’s Cup and it was their first-ever competitive trophy.
In a final played at Bishop Maraka College playground in Kumi, Martyrs defeated She Maroons 1-0 to claim the Cup. Captain Catherine Nagadya by then, netted a second-half beautiful goal which was enough for the Kiddawalimes to lift their maiden title.
The wrote their name alongside Olila HS WFC, UCU Lady Cardinals and She Makerere FC as the only clubs to have ever won the title.
Kawempe Win Third FEASSSA Title
Kawempe Muslim edged Wiyeta of Kenya 2-0 to lift their third Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) title. Shakirah Nyinagahirwa and Hadijah Nandago scored the two goals to secure the needed victory.
It should be noted that Kawempe Muslim won the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) in 2012 in Burundi, in 2019 in Tanzania and in 2023 in Rwanda.
Amus College lifting maiden National Girls football title
On Monday, 15th May, 2023 will forever be a historical day for Amus College as the day they won their first-ever National Girls’ football title.
Amus hurtfully beat the defending champions St. Noa Zana 1-0 to clinch the title for the first time in history. Opisa Shayline scored a beautiful and decisive goal from a well-taken free kick outside the edge of the box in the last minute of the game to send the fans wild.
The Frank Anyau-coached side was looked at as underdogs until they eliminated giants Kawempe Muslim in the quarter-finals before they edged Mukono Parents and defending champions St. Noa Girls in the semifinals and final respectively.
Big Transfers Outside Uganda
Many Uganda female players made a big step in their transfers from Uganda to other countries. Midfielder Ritticia Nabbosa left Fountain Gates Princess FC and Joined Simba Queens. And striker Joanitah Ainembabazi also joined Simba Queens FC from She Corporate FC.
Forward Viola Nambi left IFK Kalmar and signed for Pomigliano Calcio in Italy. Free agent Sandra Nabweteme completed her move to Kdz. Belediye Spor in Turkey while Forwards Sharon Nadunga and Ashiat Naluggwa left UCU Lady Cardinals to Linsdey College in USA for education and soccer.
Crested Cranes goalkeeper Vanessa Edith Karungi joined FC Nordsjælland in Denmark from B93 Boldkluben, and defender Aisha Nantongo completed a move to Danish first-division team Aalborg BK from Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC. Joan Nabirye joined Belarus outfit FC Minsk from Kampala Queens FC.
Goalkeeper Daphine Nyayenga and striker Resty Nanziri left She Corporate FC and Kampala Queens FC to join B93 Boldklubben in Denmark.
The Rise of Youngsters
Teenagers did great work by raising and lifting the badges of the clubs high. On 29th April 2023, Shakirah Nyinagahirwa was awarded the best player of the season and the top scorer with 12 goals. She also made her senior national team debut when in Crested Cranes’ 3-1 win over Tanzania in a friendly.
Catherine Nagadya was another teenager who has been wonderful this year, she helped Uganda Martyrs to win the 2023 FUFA Women’s Cup, scoring in the final and was awarded the best player of the tournament. Nagadya also made her senior national team debut this year and scored when Uganda edged Tanzania 3-1 in Lugogo and the rest is in the history.
Despite the fact that she didn’t win a league or a cup for the club in 2023, Agnes Nabukenya has been an outstanding teenager. At the age of 16, she secured a starting place in Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, played for Uganda U18, U20 in CECAFA and World Cup qualifiers respectively and scored in every tournament. She was also part of Kawempe Muslim Secondary School which won the FEASSSA title in Rwanda.
Growth Of Women Numbers In Football
In 2023, FUFA together with UWFA and UBSA, organized different courses like FAMACO 1, Beginners coaching courses, two CAF B courses, CAF D, FAMACO level 2, among others and many women were participants like footballers, journalists and others upgraded.
Uganda Martyrs is the latest club to appoint a female CEO Freda Ayerango who’s a graduate of FAMACO level 2, Olila, Lady Doves is also among the clubs with female Chief Executive officers. These courses will help many women to engage in the sport, and the number will grow.
Kawempe lifting inaugural CAF African Schools Football Championship
Uganda representatives in the first edition of CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers in the girls’ football category, Kawemepe Muslim, were crowned champions.
On Wednesday 12th December, 2023, Kawempe needed a 2-1 comeback over Kenya representatives to win the first-ever CAF African Schools Football Championship in the CECAFA qualifiers in a game played at Kasarani Annex Stadium.
Shadia Nabirye and Shaluwa Bitini scored the two important goals that secured a historical and hard-fought win for Kawempe Muslim.
Kawempe also won $100,000 and will represent CECAFA region in the CAF Pan African Schools Championship due 2024.
2023 USSSA Excellence Awards
SMASK games teacher, Kyolaba Grace walked home with the female sports teacher of the year Award emerging the best ahead of Atwesige Marion of Buddo SS and Alwenyi Alice of Mengo SS.
Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi the head coach of Kawempe Muslim Secondary School (girls team was named the best male coach of the year with Mugisha Lillian in swimming being named the female coach of the year.
Meanwhile, the fair play award of the year went to St Noa Girls School Zzana.
