Fred Kajoba Kisitu Credit: © Kawowo Sports | AMINAH BABIRYE

Overview:

Kajoba served for more than 15 years as Uganda Cranes goalkeeping coach and twice represented Uganda at the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Gabon (2017) and Egypt (2019). He coached army side Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) mainly as Simba, Soltilo Bright Stars, Vipers and lately Tanzania Premier League entity Ihefu Football Club.

The sports fraternity in Uganda and the entire CECAFA region is in grief after the sudden passing on of former Uganda Cranes goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba Kisitu.

A staunch believer, Kajoba was confirmed dead in a Tanzania health dispensary on Monday, 13th May 2024 after succumbing to diabetes, an illness that has troubled him for a long time.

In Tanzania, Kajoba has been a goalkeeping trainer at Ihefu Football Club, where another Ugandan Ssalongo Mathias Lule is also a coach.

News of his passing quickly filtered through via social media and mainstream media sources.

Kajoba on Uganda Cranes duty

At his lakeside official residence in Kitinda village, along Entebbe road, it was total shock as family members learnt of the sad news.

A daughter, Jolene “Jojo” Ssebagala broke down in disappointment upon hearing of the plight.

“It is unbelievable that we have lost Daddy,” Jojo screamed as she cried aloud.

Kajoba served for more than 15 years as Uganda Cranes’ goalkeeping coach and twice represented Uganda at the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Gabon (2017) and Egypt (2019).

Kajoba during a Uganda Cranes training session
L-R – Moses Basena, Micho and Fred Kajoba Kisitu brainstorm
Uganda Cranes goalkeepers pray with the goalkeeping trainer Fred Kajoba Kisitu (Credit: David Isabirye)
Micho hands over a ball to Kajoba
L-R: Kajoba, Micho and Basena
Fred Kajoba Kisitu gestures on the touchline during their 2-3 loss at St Mary’s Stadium (Credit: John Batanudde)
L-R: Geofrey Massa (Team manager), Fred Kajoba Kisitu (Goalkeeping coach), Milutin ‘Sredejovic (Head coach) and Moses Basena (Assistant coach) in a prayer session
Fred Kajoba Kisitu, the goalkeeping coach in a prayer moment before a training session Credit: David Isabirye
Kajoba with the goalkeepers in training at Lugogo
Fred Kajoba Kisitu Credit: AMINAH BABIRYE / Kawowo Sports
Denis Onyango with Kajoba in Ethiopia | Credit: David Isabirye
Uganda Cranes goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba with Denis Onyango in training at Kamuzu stadium in Blanytre (Credit: FUFA Media)
Vipers head coach Fred Kajoba (left) looks on as Ceaser Lobi Manzoki penned the employment contract at Vipers
Fred Kajoba Kisitu issues instructions to the players (Credit: John Batanudde)
Fred Kajoba Kisitu kisses the Holy Rosary as he holds his award (Credit: John Batanudde)
Fred Kajoba Kisitu shows his plaque he won as best coach for February 2021 (Credit: John Batanudde)
Fred Kajoba Kisitu (left) with the UPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bernard Bainamani at Kati-Kati Restaurant, Kampala (Credit: John Batanudde)
Brian Muruli Mayanja with Kajoba address the media
Brian Muruli Mayanja with Fred Kajoba Kisitu holding their awards at Kati Kati Restaurant, Kampala (Credit: John Batanudde)
Brian Muruli Mayanja and Fred Kajoba show off their awards at Kati Kati Restaurant in Kampala (Credit: John Batanudde)
Kajoba and Paul Kiwanuka
Kajoba goes down on his knees to thank the Almighty for the win against Police at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende Credit: John Batanudde
Kajoba celebrates a goal at Vipers Credit: John Batanudde
Kajoba on the touchline during the Vipers’ tenure
Fred Kajoba Kisitu (Left) head coach at Vipers hands official the jersey to striker Cesar Mankozi Lobi (Credit: Vipers SC Media)
Vipers head coach Fred Kajoba Kisitu (left) keeps a keen eye as Congolese forward Cesar Mankozi Lobi signs the employment contract (Credit: Vipers SC Media)
Jamil Kalisa (left) with Fred Kajoba Kisitu
L-R: Ibrahim Mugisha, Francis Mugerwa, Fred Kajoba Kisitu and Paul Kiwanuka Credit: Vipers SC
Fred Kajoba (Left) with David Bagoole (Credit: Vipers Media)
Paul Mucureezi receives instructions from Fred Kajoba Credit: John Batanudde
Yunus Sentamu (left) and Fred Kajoba during the unvieling day Credit: Vipers SC Media
Vipers head coach Fred Kajoba and his assistant Paul Kiwanuka consult each other during the match (Credit: John Batanudde)
Fred Kajoba Kisitu, Vipers head coach Credit: John Batanudde
Kajoba and midfielder David Bagoole
Referee Ali Sabila cautions Kajoba (extreme left)
Kajoba addresses the media at Kitende
Kajoba hands over the donated cash to ailing former Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Jamil Kasirye
Ibrahim Orit alongside Kajoba Credit: Vipers SC media
Ibrahim Orit signs Vipers SC contract as Fred Kajoba looks on. Credit: Vipers SC media
Kajoba at Soltilo Bright Stars
Kajoba at Vipers session
Vipers Head Coach Fred Kajoba Kisitu h
Lawrence Mulindwa handshakes with Fred Kajoba during the latter’s unveiling ceremony held at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
L-R: Fred Kajoba, Lawrence Mulindwa and Mulindwa
Vipers’ president Mulindwa hands over the club home jersey to new head coach Fred Kajoba during the official unveiling ceremony at the St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday, 26th January 2020
Kajoba hands over a plaque to striker Nelson Senkatuka
Paul Kiwanuka, Fred Kajoba and company are now longer employees at Bright Stars after a management decision
L-R: Sebastien Desabre, Mathias Lule and Fred Kajoba during the good old days at service Credit: FUFA Media
L-R: Shafiq Bisaso, Leila Nankya and Fred Kajoba in a pre-match Stanbic Uganda Cup press conference
Fred-Kajoba-addressing-the-media-during-the-press-conference-ahead-of-the-2019-Stanbic-Uganda-Cup-final
Shafiq Bisaso and Fred Kajoba pose with the Uganda Cup trophy at FUFA House on Wednesday (Photo: David Isabirye)
Fred Kajoba at the Champions Stadium, Mwererwe after the 1 all draw with Express (Photo: David Isabirye)
Dennis Onyango interacts with the goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba before the first session in Egypt (PHOTO: FUFA Media) Credit: © Kawowo Sports |
The four goalkeepers undergoing their paces under the keen supervision of the goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba (PHOTO: DAVID ISABIRYE)
Fred Kajoba on the Bright Stars technical bench
Uganda Cranes’ Fred Kajoba Credit: © Kawowo Sports | AISHA NAKATO
Fred Kajoba Kisitu and the Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango during the national team training at Namboole stadium Credit: © Kawowo Sports | JOHN BATANUDDE
Fred Kajoba Kisitu upon return from CHAN 2018 Credit: © Kawowo Sports | JOHN BATANUDDE
Goalkeeper Charles Lukwago was kept busy by coach Fred Kajoba throughout the session Credit: FUFA Media
Fred Kajoba Kisitu Credit: © Kawowo Sports | JOHN BATANUDDE
Fred Kajoba and Paul Kiwanuka on duty while still at Bright Stars Football Club Credit: © Kawowo Sports | JOHN BATANUDDE
Coaches Paul Kiwanuk and Fred Kajoba address the media at Mwererwe on Monday Credit: © Kawowo Sports | DAVID ISABIRYE
Fred Kajoba and Moses Basena greet the FUFA President Eng. Hon. Moses Magogo Credit: © Kawowo Sports | JOHN BATANUDDE
Micho (middle) worked with Moses Basena and Fred Kajoba Kisitu (right). It remains to be seen who will be part of the backroom now Credit: Kawowo Sports
Fred Kajoba Credit: © Kawowo Sports | DAVID ISABIRYE
Fred Kajoba and Moses Basena Credit: © Kawowo Sports | DAVID ISABIRYE
Fred Kajoba, Moses Basena and Matia Lule Credit: © Kawowo Sports | AISHA NAKATO
Fred Kajoba, Moses Basena and players Credit: © Kawowo Sports | AISHA NAKATO
Fred Kajoba Credit: Bright Stars Media
Tom Masiko, Paul Musamali, Fred Kajoba, Isaac Muleme and Bernard Muwanga Credit: © Kawowo Sports | AISHA NAKATO
Fred Kajoba (left) with Celtics boss Brendan Rogers
Goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba talks to the goal keepers before the warm up session
Uganda Cranes goalkeepers’ coach Fred Kajoba works out with Big league and University Football league goalkeepers at the Phillip Omondi stadium, Lugogo Credit: © Kawowo Sports / DAVID ISABIRYE
Uganda Cranes goalies in training under coach Fred Kajoba Credit: Kawuma

Before joining coaching, he was a goalkeeper who also played for the national team.

He coached army side Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) mainly as Simba, Soltilo Bright Stars, Vipers and lately Tanzania Premier League entity Ihefu Football Club.

Preparations to have the body returned home and burial arrangements are underway.

There is an overnight vigil at the deceased home in Kitinda village, near Abayita Ababiri town in Katabi Town Council, Wakiso district.

David Isabirye is a senior staff writer for Kawowo Sports where he covers most of the major events.

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