President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hailed Uganda’s sporting growth as a product of peace, education and discipline, as he hosted a State luncheon in honour of three national teams that have recently made history on the continental and global stage.
Held at State House Entebbe on Wednesday, the celebration brought together standout teams from football, basketball, and rugby, each of whom has recently achieved major milestones that have raised Uganda’s profile in international sport.
Leading the accolades was the Uganda U17 Men’s National Football Team, The Cubs, who became the first football team in the country’s history to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.
The team booked a ticket to the 2025 U17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after a 2-1 win over The Gambia, thanks to a match-winning brace from James Bogere at the Stade El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco in April.
The luncheon also recognised the Senior Women’s National Basketball Team, The Gazelles, who secured qualification for the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 after emerging champions of the Zone V Championships held in Egypt in February.
Uganda will now feature at next year’s continental showpiece in Côte d’Ivoire, scheduled for July 26 to August 3.
Completing the celebrated trio were the Lady Cranes 15s, Uganda’s Women’s National Rugby Team, who dominated the Rugby Africa Cup Division 1 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire in April.
Their victories over Tunisia, Zimbabwe and the hosts earned them a coveted promotion to the elite Africa Performance Division, where they will now compete against top-tier nations like South Africa, Kenya and Madagascar.
President Museveni, joined by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, applauded the teams’ discipline, dedication, and resilience; attributes he said stem from the country’s stability and improved access to education.
“When we brought peace and expanded the school system, especially through Universal Primary Education, talent began to emerge,” the President said.
“Yet, we have not even tackled issues like nutrition or built enough sports facilities. But with peace and education alone, we are already witnessing these results.”
The President also emphasized the need to integrate public health education into sports development, calling on sports leaders to partner with the Ministry of Health in promoting nutrition and lifestyle awareness among young people.
He outlined the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, citing finished, ongoing and planned stadium projects such as Namboole, Hoima, Akii Bua, and Nakivubo.
He also urged the rehabilitation of older venues like Kakyeka in Mbarara and Maluku in Mbale, encouraging technical teams to adopt more cost-effective approaches to renovation.
In a rare personal reflection, Museveni recalled his own sporting days in the 1960s, when he played both football and cricket.
He expressed pride in the evolution of women’s sport in Uganda, noting the strength and potential of female athletes, particularly in rugby and basketball.
The President also paid special tribute to the First Lady, describing her as “a sportswoman by prayer and administration,” praising her leadership in the Ministry of Education and Sports and the spiritual support she extends to athletes.
Posting on his official X platform after the luncheon, Museveni reiterated his belief that Uganda is only scratching the surface of its sports potential.
“With just peace and education, we have made significant progress. Imagine the impact when we add nutrition, infrastructure, and sports-specific programs,” he acclaimed.
