Nagadya’s Revival: From the Shadows to the Spotlight at Kampala Queens
By Haba Plan
Catherine Nagadya’s first season at Kampala Queens was meant to be a statement. Instead, it became a lesson in patience.
During the 2024–2025 Finance Trust Women’s Super League season, the forward managed just four goals — a return that fell well short of expectations for a player once regarded as one of the most lethal attackers in the league. Having joined the Queens in July 2023 from Kiddawalime Ladies (Uganda Martyrs WFC), Nagadya arrived with a reputation built on prolific spells at Makerere University WFC and the Lubaga-based side. Many expected her to hit the ground running.
But football, as it often does, had other plans.
At a club brimming with attacking talent, opportunities were hard-earned. Established stars such as Resty Nanziri, Shamirah Nalugya and Zaina Namuleme dominated the headlines and the score sheets, leaving Nagadya struggling to find consistency and confidence. Rather than accelerating her rise, the move to a powerhouse side appeared to stall her progress.
Fast forward to the current campaign, and the narrative has dramatically shifted.
Nagadya has rediscovered her spark, scoring nine goals in just the first round of the ongoing Finance Trust FUFA Women’s Super League — more than double her entire tally from the previous season. It is a remarkable turnaround that signals a player reborn, sharper, hungrier and finally commanding her place in the spotlight.
The departure of key attackers such as Nalugya, Zaina Nandede and Nanziri created a new dynamic at Kampala Queens, opening space and responsibility for Nagadya to step up. She has seized the moment with both hands, putting in the hard yards on and off the pitch, and playing with a freedom that had previously eluded her.
Equally important has been the chemistry within the squad. The attacking partnership with Kamiyat Naigaga (six goals), Joanita Ainembabazi (four goals) and Zaituni Namaganda (three goals) has given Kampala Queens a fluid, unpredictable edge — and provided Nagadya with the platform she needs to thrive.
Perhaps most striking is the context of her current form. Her nine goals this season already match her combined tally from the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 campaigns, underlining just how significant this resurgence has been.
With momentum firmly on her side, Nagadya has emerged as a strong contender for both the Top Scorer and MVP awards. More than the individual accolades, however, her revival tells a deeper story — of resilience, patience and the power of timing.
For Catherine Nagadya, the tide has finally turned. And if the first round is anything to go by, this season could be the one that truly defines her career.