‘If we get children involved from a tender age, and if we give them life structures – a home, a school, a pitch – Uganda will compete with the best.’
It sounds like a manifesto, but it is really the daily mantra of Brian Charles Ssenyonga, better known as Omutegeke – ‘the prepared one.’
For him, sport is not a hobby to fill weekends. It is both his official calling and personal crusade to ensure Uganda stops wasting talent in its formative years.
Man in many tracksuits
By day, he is Wakiso District’s Sports Officer, tasked with identifying and nurturing talent across Uganda’s most populous district.
By night, he drafts plans for Tarzan’s Sports Academy, which he founded in 2018, and its offshoots – Tarzan’s Soccer Academy and Divine Sports Academy.
On weekends, he’s everywhere – chalking lines for galas, managing alumni games, and motivating schools to invest in sports.
Beyond the job description
His work goes beyond paperwork. ‘Sports isn’t optional for schools – it’s part of licensing,’ he says. ‘But out of 1,000+ schools in Wakiso, fewer than 400 participate in competitions.’
In areas like Masulita and Namayumba, children still play barefoot. ‘It’s not about lack of skill – it’s lack of shoes,’ he sighs.
Academy of dreams
This reality inspired him to set up Tarzan’s Sports Academy – his model for a nationwide grassroots network.
Through Divine Sports Academy, he reaches slum children in Lungujja and Busega, providing both football training and scholastic materials.
‘When a child doesn’t have a book, sport becomes an easy escape. We teach them to balance books and balls,’ he adds.
Inclusivity is central – girls play alongside boys; chess and scrabble offer platforms for others. ‘Not everyone can sprint or dribble, but everyone can belong.’
Building a home for sport
On six acres of land in Wakiso, Ssenyonga is designing a sports-education hub – with pitches, classrooms, dormitories, and study spaces.
‘Children must live, learn, and train together to reach their best,’ he says.
The first pilots will roll out at Mugwanya Preparatory School Kabojja and Savio School, forming part of a bigger four-year plan.
Power of alumni
The Mugwanya Old Boys’ Association (MUKOBA) has already raised Shs13m for a 20,000-seater stadium project on Mutundwe Hill.
‘This is the power of alumni networks,’ he explains. ‘If communities think like this, Uganda’s sports infrastructure will shift massively.’
He channels similar passion into the SHACK League, the alumni tournament of St. Henry’s College Kitovu, where he’s the technical lead.
Vibe and value
Season II of the SHACK League introduced Califo Kings Cup and Gutter Kings Cup to spice up the rivalry. Sponsors like Guinness, Jibu Water, Galaxy FM, and Centenary Bank came on board.
The league also donated jerseys, painted school blocks, and held medical camps. ‘When people see sport giving back, they support it,’ Ssenyonga notes.
Corporate lessons
Ssenyonga’s path wasn’t straight. After earning a Bachelor’s in Sports Science from Makerere University, he veered into banking – working with Orient Bank, Bank of Africa, and BFCU.
‘People laughed at me,’ he recalls. ‘But sport gave me an edge. I first boarded a plane because our corporate team won a gala.’
His return to public service came when Wakiso advertised for a District Sports Officer – and he jumped at the chance to serve.
Lifelong learner
True to his nickname Omutegeke, he upgraded academically – earning a Master’s in Public Administration from UMI and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education Leadership.
Now also an Inspector of Schools, he plans to pursue a Master’s in Sports Management and eventually a PhD.
‘Management is where the fix lies,’ he argues. ‘Without proper structures, talent dies.’
Fixing the system
Ssenyonga sees four main obstacles: poor equipment, untrained coaches, weak enforcement of PE, and parental indifference.
‘Sport is not the opposite of education – it’s a multiplier,’ he says. ‘It opened doors for me. It can open more doors for others.’
He contrasts Uganda’s Shs250b national sports budget with the Shs20b spent daily on betting. ‘Imagine if a fraction of that built pitches,’ he remarks.
A bridge of hope
Ssenyonga’s bridge isn’t made of steel – it’s chalk lines, jerseys, school meetings, and dusty fields.
‘I didn’t become a pro athlete,’ he says, ‘but I can help the next generation succeed.’
His dream is a Uganda where no child plays barefoot, no school ignores sport, and no talent goes unseen.
AT A GLANCE
Name: Brian Charles Ssenyonga
Nickname: Omutegeke (The Prepared One)
Title: Wakiso District Sports Officer
Academy: Founder of Tarzan’s Sports Academy (est. 2018)
Community Arm: Divine Sports Academy (supports slum children)
Major Projects: Mugwanya 20,000-seater stadium, SHACK League alumni competition
Academic Credentials: Bachelor’s in Sports Science (Makerere), Master’s in Public Administration (UMI)
Vision: Establish a nationwide sports-education model for early talent nurturing
Favorite Stars: Thierry Henry (Soccer) and LeBron James (NBA)
Motto: Start early, prepare well, and win by design.
TALKING POINT
COMMUNITY POWER
System gaps. Uganda’s sports ecosystem continues to leak potential due to weak structures, poor coaching, and lack of accountability. Ssenyonga’s academy model provides a roadmap for fixing those leaks from the ground up. By mobilizing alumni and communities to invest in sport, he’s proving that grassroots unity – not state funding – will drive the next big leap for Uganda’s youth talent.