Valley Warriors Spark Kawempe Carnival After Historic CAF Qualification

By Kayiira Jackson 

Business in Kawempe Division came to a standstill for nearly an hour on Wednesday as hundreds of jubilant residents lined the streets to welcome Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC after their historic triumph in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA zonal qualifiers in Rwanda.

The champions arrived in Bwaise at exactly 1:00pm, triggering a carnival-like atmosphere as supporters, residents and well-wishers turned out in large numbers to celebrate a team that has written a new chapter in Ugandan women’s football.

Led by a Police escort vehicle, the procession moved from the Busega Flyover through Bwaise, the Kawempe Police and Kawempe Hospital areas before passing Tick Hotel and Keeti Falaawo on its way to Kawempe Muslim Secondary School.

A band provided the soundtrack to the celebrations as fans danced and cheered the players and technical team, whose continental achievement has earned them a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League finals later this year.

Kawempe Muslim secured their historic qualification after defeating Kenya Police Bullets 1-0 in a tense final that remained goalless after 90 minutes.

Skipper Agnes Nabukenya proved to be the difference, scoring in the 100th minute of extra time to seal the CECAFA title and send the Valley Warriors into the continental finals.

Their route to the trophy also saw them produce one of the tournament’s standout performances, sweeping aside Ethiopian giants Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) 3-0 in the semi-finals. CBE were the 2024 champions.

The victory means Kawempe Muslim will become the first Ugandan club to compete at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals, which will be staged in the country yet to be announced by CAF later this year.

For club patron Hajjat Zulaika Kibirige, the achievement is a reward for years of hard work and a moment of immense pride for the school and the country.

“This is a great moment, an achievement for all of us as a school and as a country. Our effort has not gone to the dogs. I want to thank the school, the Board of Governors, the coach and his team, and a great thank you to the girls,” Kibirige said.

She reaffirmed the club’s commitment to supporting the team as they prepare for their biggest challenge yet.

“We still pledge to support these girls, and we told the Board that we are going on the continent. It is a very great honour; it is the first in Uganda.”

Head coach Ayubu Khalifa Kiyingi, meanwhile, insisted the triumph was the product of deliberate preparation rather than fortune.

“What we did was not out of luck. We have been preparing for this, so I thank my technical team and the girls for this victory,” Kiyingi said.

With the continental finals set to feature eight of Africa’s best women’s clubs, Kiyingi is already setting his sights on another landmark achievement.

“We have now eight teams. My target is to finish first or second, so we want to continue making records as a team and as a country. We are going to another level that requires new techniques and unique ideas, and that is what we are heading to.”

For defender Aminah Nakato, the triumph carried an added personal significance.

Having previously featured for She Corporate in the same competition in 2022 and suffered defeat in the final, Nakato finally got her hands on the trophy with Kawempe Muslim.

“This has been my second time playing in this tournament. My first attempt was with She Corporate and I was beaten in the final, but now with Kawempe I have won it. It is very great,” Nakato said.

She credited teamwork and discipline for the historic success.

“Teamwork and listening to each other was a great pillar for us to win this. And indeed, it is history for Uganda because it is the first in the country.”

From Busega to Kawempe Muslim Secondary School, Wednesday’s celebrations were more than just a victory parade. They were a community’s recognition of a team that has broken new ground and placed Ugandan women’s football on the CAF Champions League map.

The Valley Warriors now turn their attention to Morocco, where they will carry Uganda’s hopes into the biggest stage of their young club history.