Ugandan Women Coaches Earn Scholarships for Elite CAF Diplomas

A significant opportunity has arisen for Ugandan women in football coaching, with former national team captain Oliver Mbekeka and ex-international Jean Sseninde leading a cohort of five Ugandan coaches selected for the 2026 CAF A Coaching Diploma Course. These coveted spots were made available through five scholarship slots secured by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) via FIFA’s women’s football development program.

Joining Mbekeka and Sseninde are Faridah Bulega, formerly the Crested Cranes coach, Sharon Kizza, an assistant coach for the Kampala Queens during their 2024/25 FUFA Women Super League triumph, and Sharifah Nantumbwe, head coach of Edgars in the third division and an assistant for the U-17 and U-20 national teams. This program, spanning ten months and delivered across multiple modules, aims to enhance technical knowledge, leadership, and coaching expertise among participants from across Africa.

Both Mbekeka and Sseninde bring extensive experience to the course. Mbekeka, a trailblazer who began playing in 1995 and captained the Crested Cranes, has a diverse coaching background ranging from school teams to national youth squads. Sseninde, who played professionally in England, was the first Ugandan woman to achieve a UEFA B coaching license and currently holds a key role within CECAFA.

FUFA’s commitment to advancing women’s football is further evidenced by the allocation of four additional places for Ugandan women coaches in the ongoing CAF B coaching course, also facilitated by the FIFA program. These scholarships are seen as a crucial intervention to overcome financial barriers that have historically hindered female coaches from accessing elite training.

“Qualified coaches are central to player development, training standards, safeguarding and player welfare in clubs, academies and schools,” stated Bashir Mutyaba, FUFA’s director of football development. The initiative directly supports FIFA’s global vision and Uganda’s national strategy to cultivate more highly qualified female coaches and expand opportunities within the football ecosystem. These coaches are set to follow in the footsteps of figures like Majidah Nantanda, who continue to mentor upcoming talent.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/mbekeka-sseninde-in-queue-for-scholarships-5562384