Uganda's national blind football team is set to face a stern challenge at the IBSA Blind Football African Championship Division I in Egypt, where they will compete against some of the continent's strongest sides. The tournament serves as a critical benchmark for the team's development and a mandatory step on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
A Crucial Test of Progress
Irene Nabisenke, Sports Development Manager at the Uganda Paralympic Committee, emphasized the importance of the championship for assessing the team's current level. "The championship in Egypt will allow us to assess Uganda's current level, gain experience against stronger opposition and identify the areas that require further improvement," she told Vision Sports.
Uganda earned promotion to Division I after finishing second in the 2025 IBSA Blind Football African Championship Division II, which the country hosted at Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo, Kampala. That event marked Uganda's first international blind football competition, and the team's performance secured their place among the elite.
"Competing in Division I is an important step for Uganda's blind football development. The team earned promotion after finishing second in the Division II competition held in Kampala in 2025. They will now compete at a higher level against some of the strongest blind football teams on the continent," Nabisenke added.
Opponents and Qualification Stakes
In Egypt, Uganda will face hosts Egypt, Morocco, Mali, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and South Sudan. The competition is also a mandatory event in the qualification process for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, adding extra significance to the team's participation.
"It is also important to Uganda's wider journey towards becoming competitive in the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, as it is a mandatory event on the pathway," Nabisenke said.
Preparations and Squad Selection
Uganda's preparations have included the National Blind Football Championship and the Para Games in Soroti, which gave the technical team a chance to assess players before selecting the national squad. "Uganda's preparations are progressing well. We recently held the National Blind Football Championship and participated in the Para Games in Soroti, which gave the technical team an opportunity to assess players from the participating teams and select the national squad," Nabisenke noted.
The selected players are currently training together at weekends ahead of a residential camp scheduled to start on December 5. The camp will focus on improving skills, fitness, and teamwork. "They are now learning to operate as one national team. The camp will help the players improve their technical skills, fitness, communication and tactical understanding. It will also give them time to bond and learn how to work together, particularly where new players have joined the national team," she explained.
Nabisenke expects the camp to prepare the players physically and technically for the challenge in Egypt. "By the time they travel to Egypt, we expect them to be ready to compete and represent Uganda with determination," she added.
The Squad
The six players selected are goalkeeper Umaruh Ssegawa and Ronald Kamusiime of Strong Spirits, Jimmy Innocent of Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Kizito Nalugoda and Denis Okwera of KYUVISA Stars, and Rashid Ssemakula of Red Angels. The selection process considered players' visual classification, proof of Ugandan nationality, knowledge of the rules, ball control, dribbling, discipline, and availability for training and travel.
Blind Football Uganda chairman Jagwe Muzafaru will lead the delegation, with Ali Zzinda as coach. Uganda will also rely on Jimmy Innocent, who scored eight of MUBS's nine goals when the university won its first national blind football championship title on September 5.
As the team gears up for the championship, all eyes will be on their performance in Egypt, where they aim to make their mark and continue their journey towards Paralympic qualification.
