Footballer Joshua “Letti” Lubwama is nick named the ‘Tallest Muganda’ for his enviable height.
Standing at 6 feet plus, the holding midfielder is a sky scrapper of sorts once on the playing field.
Many a times, the opponents facing Lubwama are no doubt intimidated by his stature.
Little wonder therefore, he has always dominated the middle of the pack whenever in action with explicit passes, strong body checks, timely ball interceptions and the obvious – excellent ball heading skills.
Lubwama was born and bred in Luweero at Kasana Health Center IV to Eric Kigozi Ssebwalunyo and Annet Ggaliwango, 19 years ago.
The last born in the family of four, also hails from a footballing lineage.
In an exclusive interview with Kawowo Sports, Lubwama confesses he was inspired to take upon the beautiful game by legendary Uganda Cranes midfield maestro Tonny Mawejje, now at Albanian side FC Tirana.
I have always looked up Tonny Mawejje.
He is my role model number one.
Disciplined on and off the field of play, good at passing the ball and shooting, I really admire him.
I want to play and achieve like him
Just like his role model, Lubwama has steadily mastered the art of controlling the midfield with exceptional command of the ball.
He treasures his height vis-à-vis passing skills, more like a newly born toddler is aligned to the mother.
I give many of my opponents a hard time when we are playing.
They find it hard to man mark me because of the height. I thank God for this attribute
Letti Nick name:
Lubwama is popularily refered to as Letti among the football fraternity.
The nick name stems from the legendary former Uganda Cranes striker Mike Letti.
“I used to love Mike Letti so much and I would call myself Letti. So, the name picked up steam and I am also called Letti today,” a smiling Letti Junior quickly recounts.
The lanky player was part of the Gomba Ssaza winning team in the recently concluded 2017 Airtel Masaza cup.
Despite the offers from a number of Uganda Premier League clubs on the table where URA, Onduparaka and Express yearned for his treasured signature, Lubwama has decided to stay put before the switch to the top flight.
He is currently part of the Luweero Football Club that plays in the Buganda Regional league.
Lubwama is awaiting graduation at Makerere University where he recently completed his degree studies in Mental Health and Community Psychology.
Last season, Lubwama was on target 6 times for Luweero United.
He is a three time Makerere University Sportsmen of the year (2014, 2015 and 2016) with a number of personal accolades and honours since the treasured days at Ndejje Secondary School where he was a darling before the entire school fraternity.
Lubwama, however, admits the learning curve has just started.
With the eagerness and zeal of his other role models, Alex Song and Kanu Nkwanko, Lubwama expresses the desire and free will to encounter the future unknown with caution but steadily.
Who knows, he will achieve the long life time dreams of playing for the Uganda Cranes and professionally outside Uganda?
Surely, the sky could be the only limit for the footballing sky scrapper.
Profile:
- Full Names: Joshua Lubwama
- Nick Names: Letti, Song, Tallest Muganda
- Date of Birth: 25th May 1998
- Place of Birth: Kasana Health Center IV, Luweero
- Parents: Eric Kigozi Ssebwalunyo and Annet Ggaliwango
- Education: African Out Reach Academy, Luweero (Primary), Ndejje S.S (O & A Level), Makerere University (Degree in Mental Health and Community Psychology)
- Role Models: Alexander Song, Kanu Nkwanko, Tonny Mawejje
- Strong Foot: Right
- Strong attributes: Ball passing, heading and dead ball execution
- Coaches Credited: Musa Kirumira (Luweero Kids League), Salim Kizindo, Douglas Bamwenyana (Makerere University and Express), Simon ‘Dunga’ Ddungu, Sadiq Ssempijji (Kampala University)
- Favourite Players played with: Daniel Kasoma (Makerere University), Nicholas Kabonge (Kampala University captain and Lungujja Galaxy)
- Honours: Luweero District Primary, Luweero Kids League Champion (Measles Cup), 2009 Secondary School District Champion, Sportsman of the year 2012 – Ndejje S.S.S, Sports personality of the year Makerere University 2014, 2015 & 2016, 2nd Runners Up Buleemzi Ssaaza, 1st Runners Up East Africa University Games (2014) – Football, Man of the match UFL vs Kampala University, Kyambogo (Quarter final)
- Best Dish: Rice and Meat with Juice