By Samuel Muhimba
Thousands of passionate football fans, family, friends, and former teammates gathered at the Green Light Stadium in Arua on Saturday to pay tribute to the late Rashid Agau, a beloved former Onduparaka FC star.
The event, organized by the West Nile Players Association in collaboration with the West Nile Region Football Association and Onduparaka Football Club, aimed to honor the late Rashid Agau, a former Onduparaka striker, while also raising funds to support his family and ongoing projects he left behind.
Agau, affectionately known as T9, passed away in August of last year at Arua Regional Referral Hospital after a short illness.
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Agau was dedicated to promoting football in the West Nile region. He actively mentored young players and contributed to grassroots programs throughout the area.
On Saturday, numerous dignitaries, sports enthusiasts, and friends gathered at a packed Greenlight Stadium to witness a match between West Nile Province and Acholi Province.
The match was organised in remembrance of Agau and to fundraise funds to support his family and the projects he initiated.
The match concluded with West Nile Province winning 4-2, celebrating the legacy of Rashid Agau, one of Arua’s most talented players.
During the event, the chief guest, who is also the Director of Finance and Administration for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), expressed gratitude to the attendees for their support and prayers for Agau.
She contributed Shs3 million from her office to aid Agau’s projects and promised ongoing support for his family.
“Whatever I am giving, I want somebody else to come and double, triple. Then I will come back and declare the support that I have from myself and the NRM part.” she said.
Ronald Debo, the aspiring MP for Arua Central, reflected on Agau’s career, encouraging Ugandans to live with integrity and leave behind a legacy of values.
“I urged fellow citizens to live with integrity, reflecting the values he upheld in life. Continue resting in eternal peace, Agau,” he said.
David Karebino Majok, a prominent patron of Onduparaka FC, praised the fans for their turnout and assured them that the club would continue to support Agau’s family.
“Agau may be gone, but we will stand by you. I assure you that as part of the West Nile FUFA Drum, my team Onduparaka, and on my behalf, we will be with you,” Majok said.
He also thanked Hajjat Madina for her support and for being a significant patron of football in West Nile.
The event included friendly matches between Onduparaka FC fans and the Arua Media Team, as well as a match between Friends of Agau Rashid Arua and Friends of Agau Rashid Diaspora.
Hussein Ezzy, the coordinator of the memorial match, expressed gratitude to all the well-wishers for their support and pledged continued assistance to Agau’s family.
“We want to express our gratitude to everyone who attended this successful event. All the funds raised from this match will be donated to the family of the late Agau. We are also committed to supporting all the projects that Agau initiated, honoring his kindness and generosity, which earned him great respect and a lasting philanthropic legacy in Arua,” he stated.
The memorial match for Rashid Agau was not just a tribute to his footballing career but also a celebration of the man who left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
As fans slowly made their way out of Greenlight stadium, there was a sense of closure, but also an enduring belief that Agau’s spirit would forever be a part of the game of football in West Nile.
Agau played for several prominent clubs in Uganda, including Onduparaka, Arua Hill SC, and Maroons SC.
