By: Kayiira Jackson
According to philosophers, any living being harbors at least five talents but each discovers his or her talent in a unique way.
And some talents cut across from male to female gender, though sometimes we wonder how some individual chose a sport the society believes it doesn’t belong to that individual.
In our Star Profile segment, we have landed at Uganda Martyrs WFC prolific defender, Gloria Namugerwa (21) who got inspiration from her male friends.
Namugerwa Gloria who used to escort boys at the pitch with her only role was to watch over the bags at the pitch, didn’t know that she harbor a football talent in her.
The last born in a family of five children is the only football player and former Onduparaka FC tactician Allan Kabonge with a unique eye discovered the talent in the little girl by then.
“I grew up with boys mostly” Namugerwa on how she started to play football, “they used to play soccer so I always wanted to play with them and that’s where I picked interest in football”
“I was influenced by those boys so I used to escort them to the pitch and watch over their bags while they’re playing so one time the ball came out of the pitch and I kicked it back, coach Allan Kabonge was forced to move where he was standing and came nearer to me and he asked me whether I can play football.I told him yes I want though I do not know he laughed and told me you will learn so I gave him my mum’s number so as he seeks permission first before I start training.” Namugerwa narrates to this website.
The rest became history, Namugerwa is now among the star players, many young girls look up to as an inspiration because she passed through all the ranks not forgetting the two years stint in Congo.
Namugerwa is among the best central defenders in Finance Trust Women Super League.
Education Journey:
Namugerwa started her elementary education at Kireka Grammar from 2007 to 2009 before joining Nkumba Model primary school where she sat her PLE in 2013. She later joined Princess Diana (on bursary) for her Ordinary Secondary level education in 2014, she had only two years at the school before Uganda Martyrs HS lured her in 2016 because of her talent.
Namugerwa attained her UCE certificate in 2017 at Uganda Martyrs, she has also got her UACE certificate at the same school in 2019. She joined Makerere University for a degree in Arts with Education in 2020 but never finished the course before landing on a professional move to FCF Amani in Congo.
Football History:
Namugerwa started football in 2011 while in primary five, crediting Allan Kabonge as the coach who nurtured her, she joined Princess Diana on football bursary in 2014, she later joined Uganda Martyrs WFC, played for the team from regional league, Elite League and the Super League also featured at National team under 17.
Profile:
Name: Namugerwa Gloria
Nickname: Glosh
Date of Birth: 29-November-2003
Place of Birth [Village]: Kabaale [Wakiso District]
Mother’s name: Kabajjuma Maria Gorreti
Father’s name: Ssentongo Lawrence (RIP)
Position: Defender
Strong Foot: Right
Weight: 58kgs
Height: 5.4ft
Shirt no. 08
Previous Clubs:
2014-15: Princess Diana High School [Kampala Regional league]
2016-2020: Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC
2020-21: Lady Doves FC
2021-23: FCF Amani (DR Congo)
Current Club: 2023-to-date] Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC
Role Model: Wendi Renard [France National football team]
Best players played with: Shadia Nankya
Credited people; Coach Allan Kabonge, Rogers Nkugwa and Bro. Leonard Nsubuga Kasozi
Achievements: MVP Watoto wa Soccer [2017], MVP Laminais Tournament [2017], Best Defender DRC Women league one [2022/23]
Best Moments in football: When called at the National team U17
Worst Moment: When we lost Kampala Region Schools championship Final in 2018.
Ambitions: Playing Professional football outside Africa
Youth Football Career:
2011-13: All at Lake Victoria Soccer Academy
2014-15: Princess Diana High School WFC
2016-18: Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC
Senior career (Club level)
2019-2020: Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC
2020-2021: Lady Doves FC
2021-23: FCF Amani (Dr. Congo)
203-24 to-date: Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC
National Team Caps
U17 National team [five caps]
U20 National team [three caps]
