Netball: Babirye Kityo’s Visible Achievements in Six Months as UNF President

Last updated Dec 31, 2021

In the past six months, no doubt, Netball as a discipline, has been one of the vibrant sport in the country and of course for good cause.

On 5th June, 2021, the Netball governing body, Uganda Netball Federation, changed leadership through a vote and former Youth Member of Parliament, Hon. Babirye Kityo Sarah with her team took over the steering wheel of the ‘sinking boat’.

There was a hurdle in power transition, from the old leadership to new one, the old that was under Susan Anek, never wanted to handover power in June but February the following year, however they bowed to pressure and accepted to hand over in August.

Susan Anek handing over office to New executive VP Technical Richard Muhumuza

Between June 5th and July 12th, the new executive was in closed doors making a strategic plan that will direct them in their four years of rule and on 13th July 2021 with a number of dignitaries from Sports sector, the federation unleashed the state of the art office at Aga Khan Building Old Kampala and it was the first visible achievement of the new executive. For starters, UNF for the past years had a single room office at National Council of Sports Complex.

Though they are on volunteer basis, the federation recruited a secretariat of over 10 people.

With few months in the office, the federation Introduced the male Netball team named the Rock, with support from different stakeholders and well wishers, the team represented the country in International Male Netball Championship held in South Africa in September and came back with a silver Medal.

Uganda Male Netball team, (The Rock) with federation officials in South Africa

This milestone brought Netball as a sport into media and the public started to remember that the game is still in existence, many stakeholders continued to associate with the sport.

Despite the fact that till now, they don’t have a running budget from the government of Uganda, the federation went back on continent but this time with the renown She Cranes in double competitions, that is the ranking Tournament, pent Series and the Africa Netball Championship both held in Namibia between 1st and 16th November.

She Cranes after winning the Pent Series trophy in Namibia

But prior to departure, the federation held an historical event of announcing a contracted National team head Coach, Fred Mugerwa Tabale on a two year contract. Before Netball was only appointing coaches for special Tournaments.

UNF President, unveiling Fred Mugerwa as the head coach of She Cranes for the two years

In Namibia, Uganda won Pent Series and the highlighted issue was to beat Malawi at unexpected margin, Uganda later became second in Africa Netball Championship after losing to South Africa.

Another big achievement manifested mid this month when the world rankings indicated that Uganda is now ranked 2nd on continent and 6th on the world, which gave She Cranes automatic qualification to 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

In the same month, the federation held the maiden Under 12 Regional Tournament that was won by Central Region.

While addressing media in her end of year speech, yesterday, the UND Boss, Babirye Kityo Sarah asserted that despite covid challenge, the year has been so good for the game.

“With all the achievements, I listed above, reaching at them without a quarterly support from National Council, I would be wrong and not appreciative to God if I say that the year has been bad to us. ” She stated.

Uganda Netball Federation President, Hon Babirye Kityo Sarah

In the same address, Kityo Revealed that it’s the time for number one sport in the country to have it’s budget ring fenced like they did to FUFA ten billion cash from government.

Kityo also anticipates a fruitful 2022 with a number of Tournaments, grassroot development, more professional League, sponsorships and gathering more Netball fans.