Cricket Uganda has stepped up efforts to revive cricket at Namilyango College, appointing national team player Fred Achelam as head coach during an official visit to the Mukono-based school on March 24.
The visit, led by Cricket Uganda officials and a group of alumni from the Class of 1995 to 2000, marked the launch of a wider initiative aimed at restoring cricket as a core sport at the historic institution. The programme is being driven through a partnership between the governing body and former students keen to reestablish the game alongside rugby and football.
John Mpande, chairman of the cricket committee at Cricket Uganda and a member of the alumni group, said the intention is to return the sport to prominence at the school.
“We played Cricket at Namilyango College during our years. We want to see this game revamped again to be played alongside Rugby and soccer,” Mpande said. “We, as old students, shall support whenever the need arises. We thank Uganda Cricket for the offer of the coach and the cricket equipment.”
Achelam’s appointment brings top-level experience into the school setup. The wicketkeeper batter has featured in over 50 T20 internationals for Uganda and was part of the squad that competed at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He remains active on the international circuit, adding current competitive insight to his new role.
“I cannot wait to get started (with coaching) the players at Namilyango College,” Achelam said. “I am very grateful for this opportunity to teach skills to the young lads and above all, instil the love of the game. I am ready to train the players, and we unearth the talents from the grassroots with a key objective of growing Cricket at Namilyango College and Uganda at large.”
During the event, Cricket Uganda chairman Jackson Kavuma officially unveiled Achelam and oversaw the handover of cricket equipment to the school. He said the initiative aligns with the federation’s broader grassroots strategy.
“Cricket Uganda is honoured to return to Namilyango College, one of Uganda’s traditional cricketing schools,” Kavuma said. “When members of their class shared their determination not to be the last generation to have played the game here, we gladly supported their vision by helping identify a coach. For us as Cricket Uganda, restoring cricket at Namilyango aligns perfectly with our broader goal of strengthening the game from the grassroots.”
Namilyango College headteacher Constantine Sajjabi Mpuuga welcomed the move, noting that it fits within the school’s focus on holistic education as it marks 124 years.
“Namilyango College is marking 124 years of existence. We are honoured to develop a holistic child that the country desires to have,” Mpuuga said. “Cricket is one of the sports we encourage, and we thank Cricket Uganda and the old students for revamping the programme.”
With equipment secured and a national team player leading the technical setup, the school’s cricket programme is set to restart with renewed structure, targeting consistent participation from Senior One through Senior Six as part of a long-term development pathway.
