The continued growth of women’s football in Uganda is being matched by increased investment in technical development, with five Ugandan women currently undertaking the 2026 CAF A Coaching Diploma Course.
Their participation reflects FUFA’s continued commitment to strengthening the capacity of coaches and enhancing the technical structures that support women’s football in Uganda.
The 10-month programme, delivered across five modules scheduled for July 2026, September 2026, November 2026, March 2027 and June 2027, has brought together 25 coaches seeking to advance their technical knowledge, leadership and coaching expertise.
Among the participants are five women whose journeys through playing, coaching and football administration continue to shape the development of women’s football in Uganda.
Oliver Mbekeka
Former Crested Cranes captain Oliver Mbekeka remains one of Uganda’s pioneering figures in women’s football, having made significant contributions both as a player and a coach.
She began her playing career in 1995 before earning a place on the Uganda Women’s National Team in 1996, where she was among the youngest players in the squad. Mbekeka captained the Crested Cranes and was part of the team that qualified for the 2000 African Women’s Championship (now the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations) in South Africa.
Her club career saw her feature for APR Women FC in Rwanda between 2001 and 2005 before moving to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she played for Source de Kivu from 2005 to 2010 and OCL City of Lubumbashi from 2010 to 2014. She returned to Uganda in 2014 and briefly featured for She Corporate FC.
After returning home, Mbekeka transitioned into coaching, beginning her competitive coaching career at Wakiso Hills Secondary School and the Buganda Regional Team in 2014. She later coached Katawuluzi FC Nabbingo between 2015 and 2016 before serving as Fitness Trainer of the Crested Cranes in 2016 under then Head Coach Faridah Bulega.
From 2017 to 2024, she served as Assistant Coach of the Uganda U-17 Women’s National Team (Teen Cranes) and the Senior Women’s National Team (Crested Cranes). She also led the Uganda U-20 Women’s National Team (Queen Cranes) as Head Coach in 2018 and coached Lady Doves FC between 2018 and 2019. She currently serves as Head Coach of Rubaga Girls Secondary School.
Her enrolment on the CAF A Coaching Diploma Course reflects her commitment to continuous professional development as she continues to inspire more women to pursue careers in football coaching.
Faridah Bulega
Faridah Bulega is one of Uganda’s most experienced women’s football coaches and has played a significant role in the growth of the women’s game.
She served as Head Coach of the Crested Cranes from 2017 to 2021 and has also guided Kampala Queens FC, earning recognition for her contribution to player development and high-performance football.
Her participation in the CAF A Coaching Diploma Course demonstrates her commitment to continuous learning as she seeks to further strengthen her technical and leadership capabilities.
Jean Sseninde Bukenya
Former Crested Cranes defender Jean Sseninde Namayiga has successfully transitioned from an accomplished playing career into coaching and football administration.
A former student of Gayaza High School and St. Mary’s School, Kitende, Sseninde represented Uganda at senior international level before enjoying spells with London Phoenix Ladies, Queens Park Rangers Women, Crystal Palace Women and Wakefield Trinity Ladies in England.
While playing in England, she pursued coaching qualifications, becoming the first Ugandan woman to earn the UEFA B Coaching Licence in 2020.
She currently serves as Interim Executive Director of CECAFA after previously holding the position of CECAFA Women Football Development Manager.
Her participation in the CAF A Coaching Diploma Course reflects her continued commitment to professional development and advancing coaching standards within the region.
Sharon Kizza
Sharon Kizza has established herself as one of Uganda’s promising coaches following a successful transition from playing into coaching.
She featured for Matugga United Ladies, Kampala United and UCU Lady Cardinals, where she helped the university side win the 2018/19 FUFA Women Elite League title before the competition was rebranded into the Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League.
Kizza began her coaching career as an assistant coach at UCU Lady Cardinals before serving in technical roles at Namilyango College, Kyetume FC, Blacks Power and Kitara FC, where she was part of the technical team that won the 2024 Stanbic Uganda Cup.
She later joined Kampala Queens FC and contributed to the club’s successful 2024/25 Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League title-winning campaign. She currently serves as Head Coach of UCU Lady Cardinals and First Assistant Coach of the Crested Cranes.
The CAF A Coaching Diploma Course offers another opportunity for Kizza to enhance her coaching expertise as she continues to make an impact at both club and national team level.
Sharifah Nantumbwe
Sharifah Nantumbwe has steadily built her coaching career through grassroots football after featuring as a player for Edgars Youth Program and Kyambogo University.
She currently serves as Head Coach of Edgars FC, a side competing in the third division, while also working as Assistant Coach of the Uganda U-17 Women’s National Team (Teen Cranes) and the Uganda U-20 Women’s National Team (Queen Cranes).
Building on a Strong Foundation
The current cohort follows in the footsteps of Uganda’s three CAF A licensed women coaches—Christine Wanyana Nakibuuka, Hadijah Namuyanja and Majidah Nantanda—who continue to inspire the next generation of female coaches. Nantanda, a CAF Coaching Instructor and former Crested Cranes Head Coach, has played a key role in coach education, while Wanyana and Namuyanja continue to contribute to the technical development of women’s football in Uganda.
