When the final whistle blew at the Aliguma Foundation (AFSEC)’s new pitch in Kinuuma Village, Masindi, the roar that followed wasn’t just for Kinuuma FC’s 3-1 victory over Kabutukuru FC – it was for a community’s new beginning.
The match crowned a day that celebrated the power of sport and education as the Aliguma Foundation officially unveiled the Sunny Magezi Academy, a school built on love, purpose, and a Uefa-funded dream.
The symbolic encounter saw Farouk Muhinda, Tony Katusabe, and Sula Asiimwe find the back of the net for Kinuuma FC, while Vincent Achala netted the lone reply for Kabutukuru. The crowd of villagers, leaders, and pupils danced and ululated as football and education merged into one celebration.
‘This is how transformation starts,’ said Ritah Aliguma, founder of the Aliguma Foundation. ‘The same energy our youth show on the pitch is what we want to channel into classrooms – discipline, teamwork, and belief.’
The Sunny Magezi Academy launch came on the back of Uefa Foundation for Children’s third consecutive global grant to the Aliguma Foundation – part of a pound 5 million initiative supporting 72 projects across the globe. Uganda’s selection again underlines the Foundation’s steady impact in turning football passion into real social change.
Built on legacy
The academy is named after Ritah’s late parents, Mr. Magezi Steven Nyakana and Mrs. Sunny Nsungwa, whose values of compassion and resilience continue to guide the Foundation’s work.
Occupying a portion of 15 acres at AFSEC, the school will blend national and international curricula with talent development and skills training. The first 50 parents to enroll their children will receive free uniforms – a gesture that drew emotional applause.
Before the ribbon-cutting, pupils staged a lively showcase – songs, poems, cultural dances, short skits, and races – celebrating education and community. Their joy moved many to tears. ‘These children are the heartbeat of Sunny Magezi,’ said Immaculate Owomugisha Blessing, president of the U.S. Exchange Alumni Network for Uganda. ‘This is what hope looks like.’
Government backing
The event drew Buruli County MP Ronald Aled Akugizibwe, Masindi DEO Monica Kiiza, religious leaders, and U.S. Exchange Alumni representatives.
Hon. Akugizibwe called it ‘a model of rural development,’ while DEO Kiiza pledged immediate registration and licensing for the new institution. Their support underscored that Sunny Magezi Academy is not only a private dream but also a public milestone for Masindi’s education sector.
With classrooms up, the pitch in use, and new programmes in tailoring, IT, and entrepreneurship planned, AFSEC is bound to become a one-stop hub for learning and livelihood in rural Uganda.
NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
6: Classrooms already completed
15: Acres of land for education and sport
5: Million euros Uefa Foundation global fund
50: Free uniforms to first registered pupils
30: Children enrolled on Day One
600: People attended the school launch