Mawejje ‘Graces’ Rays of Grace Youngsters.
Former Uganda Cranes midfield maestro, and undoubtedly a living legend of the game, Tonny Mawejje, on Tuesday 30th, August 2022, visited Rays of Grace Academy, engaging in warm interactions and sharing moments with the Academy’s players.
Mawejje, who retired from active football early this year, took the “tomorrow’s stars” through tips on how they can become successful players.
“It is a great opportunity for all of us that we are meeting after paying a visit to this institution (Rays of Grace). I came here basically to inspire these young boys, to speak to them,” Mawejje noted.
“There are those that have got to ask me questions and I answered them. I loved the structures at Rays of Grace Academy because everything is professional, starting from the way they (players) are prepared,” Mawejje added.
“I call upon all former players, coaches, and all that can come here and speak to the boys, advise them on how to manage and become what they want to become, achieve their goals and dreams, to come and talk to them (the boys),” Mawejje requested.
“The Boys are focused and have the desire to become professionals, and I think with what I have seen here, the future of Ugandan football is bright,” Mawejje concluded.
Rays of Grace Director, Roberts Kiwanuka, could not hide his excitement for hosting such an historical football player in the country.
“We are very excited to welcome Tonny Mawejje at our institution. What inspired me is when I went to watch the National team (Uganda Cranes), and during his regime is where we watched a person who was highly disciplined, with high level of integrity, and professional, with his behavior being determined by his characters, and at the end making it at all levels,” Mr Kiwanuka spoke in utter elation.
“Mawejje is a kind of person who is down to earth, approachable, welcomes and respects people, and such a characters are why we brought him to talk to our players and give them inspiration, career guidance, because he served the nation (Uganda), and to many here, he is a role model,” Mr Kiwanuka added.
Disan Mwebe, an academy player, who is inspired by Farouk Miya and Cristiano Ronaldo, stated that the interaction with Tonny Mawejje, was one of his dreams coming true, and the conversation will have yields in the near future.
“My dream is to become a professional player. His (Tonny Mawejje’s) words are inspirational because we have been hearing about him on radios and TVs, and seeing him physically is a dream come true to me,” Disan said.
“I wish to thank our dear director for bringing us such a visitor at our institution because all of us admire him for his tremendous work and efforts in serving the country, and I want to, like him, and turn out to be a professional player,” Disan added.
Who is Tonny Mawejje
The 35-year-old Mawejje, started his youth football career at Masaka Local Council Football Club and later signed by Kampala Capital City Authority in 2004.
He joined Uganda Police in 2006.
In 2008, he was signed by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) before departing the country for proffesional Football in Iceland in ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar (2009–2013), scoring 10 goals in 106 games.
South African Golden Arrows had earlier acquired Mawejje on loan in 2012.
His other clubs included Haugesund (2014), Valur (on loan in 2014), Þróttur (2014-2016), Tirana (2017-2019) and lately Al-Arabi Sports Club In Kuwait.
Mawejje is capped 83 times for Uganda Cranes and has scored 8 goals.
He played at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals held in Gabon, as Uganda returned to the continental show piece after 38 years.
Profile:
Full Names: Tony Mawejje Jr.
Date of Birth: 15th December 1986
Place of Birth: Masaka, Uganda
Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position: Midfield
Youth career:
2000 – 2003: Masaka Local Council Football Club
Senior Career:
2004–2005: Kampala City Council Football Club
2006–2007: Police
2008–2009: Uganda Revenue Authority SC
2009–2013: ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar
2012: Golden Arrows (loan)
2014: Haugesund
2014: Valur (loan)
2015–2017: Þróttur
2017–2019: Tirana
2019: Al-Arabi Sports Club
2020: Police