By: Kayiira Jackson
Meet Catherine Nakiridde, Uganda Christian University Lady Cardinals midfielder who believes in her both feet while on pitch.
The 24-year-old intelligent midfielder was born on 6th November, 2000 to Katumba Godfrey and Nagirinya Sylvia, the residents of Kangulumira, Kayunga District – Central Uganda.
Nakiridde is the last born in the family of three children, one boy and two girls.
She is one of the decorated UCU Lady Cardinals players, she helped the side to win the 2019 FUFA Women Elite League title and the 2018 FIFA Women Cup.
The 2022 Business Administration/ Accounting graduate is one of the few female players in Uganda who are comfortable with both feet on the ball.
She has strength in game reading, a dictator in the midfield who is good in set pieces.
Education Journey:
Nakiridde, started her elementary education at St Catherine International Kangulumira in 2004 then in St Martin Mulago Primary school in Kampala where she sat her Primary Leaving Examination in 2011, for Secondary education, Katie enrolled at Masaka Secondary school in 2012, at the same school, she sat her UCE exams in 2014 and 2017 for UACE.
In 2018 she joined Uganda Christian University and acquired her diploma in Business Administration in 2019, then 2022 degree Business Administration/Accounting, Currently she is studying CPA (Certified Public Accountant) at the same University
Nakiridde currently plays football for UCU Lady Cardinals as well as working with Housing Finance Bank.
Football Journey:
Like any other girl in football, Nakiridde grew up in a family of boys and the only sport they were playing was football, she new wanted to be an old man out, she was taken by the situation and the environment as she narrates.
“I grew up from my uncle’s place (Brother to my father),the home had only boys and I was the only girl in the group and the super game at home was football.” Nakiridde states.
“Since I knew nothing about football, they put me in goal, I gradually learnt how to kick the ball not until I started playing left back during their six aside matches at the neighborhood.” She adds.
In 2008 Nakiridde joined St Martin Primary School Mulago after switching location from village to her mother’s place in Mulago, she went as commoner, but since she had developed love for football, she stayed at school and worked as a ball girl to for the school team.
In 2009, she was recruited at Saved To Serve academy that polished her skills and she later added to the school team while in primary six.
“I went to school not as a footballer but as a commoner, I found football at school, I started as a ball girl to the likes of Namukose, Nantongo Cissy [now at Sheffield Corporate], but one Saturday, their team was less by a player, the coach told me to join them, and I played as a left winger.”
Those schools like Kawempe Muslim SS and St Mary’s Kitende, Nakiridde opted to go to Masaka in 2012, the school she won nationals in 2013 and UMEA games trophy in 2016.
In one of her best moments while in Masaka, Nakiridde treasures the goal she scored against Kakungulu Memorial on UMEA final held in Masaka.
“One of best moments in football, I the goal I scored from the centre in the UMEA final against Kakungulu Memorial and Vanessa Kalungi was in the goal.” Nakiridde recalls.
Since her talent was very promising, a one Solomon Kimbugwe never wanted UCU to lose such a talent, he took the girl to UCU while she was in her senior four vacation (2014) and since then she played for the team.
Basing on her talent, Nakiridde went through all the national teams, that’s U17, U20 and the senior team the Crested Cranes, her first national team call came in 2010.
Immediately after COVID19, Nakiridde had a season in Kenya where she played for Thika Queens between 2021 and 2022 before she returned to her mother club.
Profile:
Name: NAKIRIDDE CATHERINE
Nickname: KATIE
Date of Birth: 6TH/NOV/2000
Place of Birth [Village]: KANGULUMIRA-BUGERERE
Mother’s name:NAGILINNYA SYLIVIA
Father’s name: KATUMBA GODFREY
Position: CENTRAL MIDFIELD
Strong Foot: BOTH
Weight: 67kg
Height: 167m
Shirt no. 11
Previous Clubs:
UCU LADY CARDINALS [2014-2020]
Thika Queens [2021-22]
Current Club:
UCU LADY CARDINALS [2023-todate]
Role Model: Kevin de bruyne, Martin Ødegaard,Cole Palmer
Best players played with: HASIFAH NASSUNA, JOAN KWAGALA, ATURO RUTH
Credited people; SOLOMON KIMBUGWE
SSEKAMANYA ABDUL PRINCE
NNAGAWA NOERINE.
Achievements:
Champions FIFA Women Cup 2018, champions FUFA Women Elite League 2019,MVP Gofia Cup-Norway,MVP Airtel Raising Stars- 2012 and 2014, a degree at UCU.
Best Moments in football:
My first plane in 2009, winning Chrisc Cup in Eldoret Kenya.
Worst Moment: Death of COACH Peter Ssebulime in 2019, a knee injury in 2020.
Ambitions: Becoming the best player, playing in Pro leagues and having one season as a top scorer.
Youth Football Career:
Saved to serve Ministries Academy 2009-2013
St Martin Mulago Primary School [2008-2011]
Masaka Secondary School [2012-2017]
Senior career (Club level)
UCU Lady Cardinals [2014-2020]
Thika Queens-Kenya [2021/2022]
National Team Caps:
5caps
20010( U17) 2 caps
2012 (U17)
2014 (Senior team)
2018/19 (senior team)
