For years, Ugandan women’s football clubs have travelled to the CECAFA region with hopes of securing a place at the CAF Women’s Champions League, only to return without the ultimate prize.
Lady Doves, She Corporate and Kampala Queens all had their moments, came close and showed that Ugandan clubs could compete, but none managed to cross the final hurdle. Kawempe Muslim Ladies have finally changed that story, and the secret to their breakthrough lies in what they did differently.
The Valley Warriors did not arrive in Rwanda for the 2026 CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers simply to represent Uganda. They went there with a team built to win, backed by domestic success, experience from an earlier regional campaign, a settled technical team and young players capable of deciding matches. They combined those qualities to win the regional title, becoming the first Ugandan club to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
Uganda’s journey through the six editions of the CECAFA qualifiers, from 2021 to 2026, tells the story of how difficult that achievement had been.
Lady Doves were the country’s first representatives in the inaugural 2021 competition in Kenya. They reached the semi-finals but lost to Vihiga Queens on penalties before recovering to beat Tanzania’s Simba Queens 2-1 in the third-place playoff to take bronze.
She Corporate came even closer in 2022 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. They stunned favourites Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) 2-1 in the semi-finals but could not complete the job, losing 1-0 to hosts Simba Queens in the final to finish runners-up.
When Uganda hosted the 2023 edition in Kampala and Njeru, expectations were high for Kampala Queens. However, they were eliminated in the group stage after finishing third in Group A, despite forward Fazila Ikwaput scoring eight goals to finish as the tournament’s top scorer.
Kawempe Muslim themselves tasted regional disappointment on their debut in Addis Ababa in 2024. They reached the semi-finals but lost 2-1 to CBE before beating Simba Queens 2-0 in the third-place playoff to claim bronze.
Kampala Queens returned in 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, and reached the semi-finals after an impressive 7-0 victory over Denden FC. But a goalless draw against Rwanda’s Rayon Sports Women ended in a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat, leaving them fourth.
Kawempe, however, refused to let their first experience define them. They returned in 2026 knowing what the competition demanded and, this time, went all the way.
A domestic title that built belief
The first part of Kawempe’s success was built at home.
Under coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, the Valley Warriors reclaimed the 2025/26 FUFA Women Super League title, their sixth national championship, in a dramatic finish that demonstrated their determination.
They finished top of the 12-team league with 52 points from 16 wins, four draws and two defeats, edging She Corporate by a single point.
Interestingly, Kawempe went into the final matchday trailing She Corporate and knew they needed to win while hoping their rivals dropped points.
They did their part, beating Olila High School WFC 3-1 through goals from Jovia Nakagolo, Agnes Nabukenya and Latifah Nakasi. She Corporate were held to a goalless draw by She Maroons, handing Kawempe the championship.
Their numbers told the story of a team that knew how to win. They completed a league double over She Corporate, scored 43 goals and conceded only 13, finishing with a goal difference of plus 30.
Latifah Nakasi also finished as joint league top scorer with 15 goals.
That domestic success gave Kawempe the confidence and right to represent Uganda at the CECAFA qualifiers in Rwanda. More importantly, it gave them a group of players who understood what it meant to fight for a title until the final whistle.
Second attempt, different outcome
Having settled for bronze in 2024, Kawempe returned to the regional competition with unfinished business.
They started strongly, topping their group with important victories, including a 1-0 win over Ethiopia’s CBE and an emphatic 8-0 demolition of Djibouti’s FC Ujeco.
They carried that form into the semi-finals, where they defeated CBE 3-0 to book their place in the final.
Kenya Police Bullets stood between them and history, but Kawempe remained patient in a contest that demanded concentration and discipline.
The breakthrough eventually came in extra time. Agnes Nabukenya scored in the 100th minute to hand Kawempe a hard-fought 1-0 victory and the CECAFA trophy.
It was more than just a regional championship. Kawempe had become the first Ugandan club to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
They also completed the competition unbeaten without conceding a single goal, an achievement that reflected the defensive organisation and discipline that had become central to their game.
The Ayub Khalifa influence
One cannot discuss Kawempe’s transformation without recognising the work of Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi.
The long-serving coach has built a side that understands the importance of keeping its shape, controlling possession and remaining composed when matches become difficult.
Rather than rushing their play or losing their organisation under pressure, Kawempe have often shown patience, waiting for the right moments to attack.
That approach was particularly important in the regional competition, where they negotiated difficult knockout matches without conceding.
Their continental experience has, however, shown that there is still work to do, especially when facing teams with greater physical strength, speed and tactical experience.
Young players who refused to be intimidated
Another reason Kawempe have managed to go further than previous Ugandan representatives is the quality of their emerging players.
Agnes Nabukenya, Jovia Nakagolo and Shakirah Nyinagahirwa have been at the centre of the team’s progress, providing the goals, creativity and confidence needed to compete against established continental sides.
Nabukenya, in particular, has announced herself as one of the tournament’s outstanding young players.
Her performances in Egypt have shown that Kawempe do not depend on one way of scoring or one player to create opportunities. They have players capable of changing matches when it matters most.
They arrived in Egypt and immediately made their presence felt
Kawempe’s continental debut in Egypt, where the tournament is running from November 1 to 15, 2026, has been another important chapter in their story.
They were drawn in Group B alongside defending champions AS FAR of Morocco, Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies and Mali’s USFAS Bamako.
Few expected the Ugandans to announce themselves so loudly in their opening match, but they stunned AS FAR 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.
After falling behind in the sixth minute, Kawempe refused to surrender. Nabukenya restored parity in the 53rd minute with a well-taken low drive from distance before captain Shakirah Nyinagahirwa put them ahead in the 59th minute.
Shakirah’s contribution was particularly special because she was returning from a multi-year injury layoff.
AS FAR fought back to level the contest, but Kawempe had one final moment of magic. Nabukenya struck again in the 94th minute to complete her brace and hand the Ugandans a memorable victory.
Goalkeeper Josephine Nambuya also played her part with important one-on-one saves, while Shadia Babirye produced a crucial goal-line clearance.
Their second match against Ampem Darkoa exposed a different side of the team.
Kawempe lost 2-1 after Nancy Amoh took advantage of a spilled ball by Nambuya to score in the ninth minute. Shadia Nabirye brought the Ugandans level in the 33rd minute, but a late defensive lapse allowed Beline Nyarkoh to score the winner in the 83rd minute.
With qualification still at stake, Kawempe needed a response against USFAS Bamako.
They delivered in convincing fashion. Nabukenya opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Jovia Nakagolo doubled the lead in the 39th minute. Nabukenya then completed her brace in the 71st minute to seal a 3-0 victory.
The result took Kawempe to six points, the same tally as AS FAR and Ampem Darkoa. However, the Ugandans secured second place in Group B through the head-to-head tie-breaker, booking a historic semi-final place.
They became the first Ugandan side to reach the knockout stages of the competition.
Their eight goals also made them the highest-scoring East African club in a single edition of the continental finals.
Nabukenya finished the group stage with four goals and earned a place in the CAF Group Stage Best XI alongside Shakirah. Jovia also made her contribution with a goal and an assist.
The goals are coming, but the defence needs attention
For all the excitement surrounding Kawempe’s attacking performances, their continental campaign has also exposed a weakness that cannot be ignored.
They have scored eight goals but conceded an equal number, suggesting that while their forwards have been productive, the defence has struggled to provide the same level of reliability.
Their defeat to Ampem Darkoa was an early warning, but the semi-final against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns brought the problem into sharper focus.
Kawempe lost 4-1 after conceding all four goals in the first half.
Ronnel Donnelly was particularly damaging, scoring three times in a devastating nine-minute spell between the 29th and 37th minutes. Noxolo Cesane added another goal in the 45th minute to leave Kawempe with a mountain to climb.
The Ugandans struggled to cope with Sundowns’ pressing and attacking pace, while Anitah Namata’s red card made an already difficult afternoon even harder.
Latifah Nakasi scored Kawempe’s consolation in the 72nd minute, but the damage had been done.
It was a painful reminder that competing at this level requires more than an exciting forward line. Defensive concentration, organisation and the ability to withstand sustained pressure are equally important.
One more chance to finish on the podium
Despite the semi-final disappointment, Kawempe have already achieved what no Ugandan club had managed before them.
They now face Cameroon’s Lekié Football Filles in the third-place playoff at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Saturday, November 14, with an opportunity to finish their debut campaign with a bronze medal.
Victory would give Uganda its first-ever podium finish at the CAF Women’s Champions League and earn Kawempe $350,000 in prize money.