Kamwenge District leaders have called for the creation of sports academies in all primary schools, citing the poor showing of the district’s under-14 football and netball teams at recent national competitions in Yumbe District.
Titus Agira, Chairperson of the Kamwenge District Co-Curricular Committee, said the district cannot hope to excel at national competitions without deliberate investment in talent development.
“We need to foster the establishment of football academies in all primary schools if we want to succeed in these games,” Agira said.
“Our teams lost because our players are not given adequate training and mentorship from a young age.”
The district’s under-14 teams struggled to make an impact, with neither the football nor netball teams advancing to the second round.
The netball side managed just one win against Ibanda Municipality, drew with Rubanda and Bugiri, and lost five matches to Mubende, Mpigi, Manafa, Jinja City, and Mbarara City.
Fred Mbonigaba, Kamwenge District Secretary for Social Services and District Councilor for Kahunge Sub-county, agreed that academies could transform sports performance, but urged schools to optimize existing resources.
“We really need sports academies, but schools should also properly utilize the co-curricular funds they receive,” Mbonigaba said.
“We can boost sports without waiting for new funding by being more intentional with what we already have.”
Edson Niwagaba, Kamwenge District Inspector of Schools, echoed the call for academies but stressed the importance of careful planning to ensure sustainability.
“The idea is very good and necessary, but this is something that must be studied well before it is rolled out,” Niwagaba noted.
“We need to ensure it’s sustainable and benefits all schools in the district.”
The push for sports academies comes as Kamwenge stakeholders seek long-term solutions to enhance the district’s performance in national competitions and nurture young talent.
