By: Kayiira Jackson
In African settings, the biggest percentage of parents act as standing blocks in their children’s inbuilt abilities with putting focus on the education professions like teacher, doctor, engineering and pilots.
It’s very unique with Kampala Queens forward Anitah Namata (23) parents who hugely supported her in pursuing her football career from childhood.
Mr. Katongole Deo and her wife Esther Katongole have a huge page in Anitah Namata’s football history book as she narrates to this website.
“What I can say, football is in my DNA” Namata stated. “I have the love for the game and Good enough, my parents encouraged me to play it, they have pushed me from day one, i can say they are fully part of my journey ” Namata tells.
The pacey forward is a born of Bwaise, Nkumba in Katabi Town Council, Entebbe Municipality.
Namata’s talent manifested as early as eight years and this is evident that she studied on bursary since her elementary school time at Agali Awamu Primary school in Kawafu.
Education History
The Former Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC and Vihiga Queens scoring forward joined Princess Diana Secondary School in 2014 for S1 and S2 classes before crossing to Uganda Martyr’s High School, Lubaga for S3 and S4 on bursary scheme.
“I was taken to Uganda Martyrs High School, Lubaga after coach Nkugwa spotted me and Brother Leonard Nsubuga accepted me” she added.
Following the completion of her O-level in 2017, Namata switched to women football powerhouse, Kawempe Muslim SS where she attained her UACE certificate in 2019. At the School, Namata studied History, Economics,Geography and sub-math where she secured eight points.
Football Journey
According to Namata, she started playing football at the age of eight years while still at Agali Awamu Primary School.
During that time, she was spotted by Allan Kabonge, a coach also identified Namugerwa Gloria talent and we’re both at the Lake Victoria Soccer Academy.
Namata later joined Princess Diana High School in 2014 where she spent two years before switching to Uganda Martyrs HS Lubaga, then to Kawempe Muslim SS in 2018.
Through her journey, Namata has encountered a number of defenders but she highlighted Crested Cranes towering defender, Shadia Nankya as the hardest opponent she has ever faced though they were once at the same school [Uganda Martyrs HS Lubaga].
“Shadia (Nankya) is the most difficult opponent I have found and has always won most aerial challenges” Namata revealed.
While at Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Namata was summoned at National team U20 and played some good games even at the senior team.
Namata played for a number of clubs; not forgetting Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Sheffield Corporate FC, Vihiga Queens in Kenya and currently at Kampala Queens.
She has won a number of school championships title with Kawempe Muslim.
Namata signed for She Corporate from Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC for three years in 2022, but she has only played for the Nakawa based side in only CAF CECAFA women zonal qualifiers, won a silver medal before lured by Kenya Women Premier League side Vihiga Queens in the same year. She had a marvellous two years spell in Kenya, won a league title and in her last season, she scored ten goals with seven assists and nominated among the best players of the season.
She returned on the home soil after completion of her contract, she signed for Kampala Queens in January of 2024, where she is still until now.
Profile:
Full Name: Anitah Namata
Nick-name: Ani
Date of Birth: 10th October 2001
Parents: Deo Katongole & Esther Katongole
Place of Birth: Entebbe Regional Hospital (Grade B)
Education: Agaliawamu Primary School – Kawafu (P1-P7), Princess Diana High School (S1-S2), Uganda Martyrs High School – Lubaga (S3-S4), Kawempe Muslim SS (S5-S6)
Strong foot: Right
Key attributes: Close ball control, dribbling, passing and shooting
Position: Forward & Wing
Best Goal: Scored in the first minute when Kawempe Muslim faced UCU in Kawempe
Trophies won: Fresh Diary School School Games (2016, 2019 – Mbale), UMEA Games (2018 – Mbale, 2019- Kasawo), Independence Cup (2016), Airtel Rising Stars (2017 – Lira) FUFA Women Elite League (2018), Buganda Cup (2018), East Africa Secondary Schools (2019 – Arusha) with Kawempe Muslim
Individual Accolades: MVP Airtel Rising Stars (2016) with Uganda Martyrs ,Top Scorer, Airtel Rising Stars (2017 – Grand Finals, Lira)
Youth Career:
Lake Victoria Soccer Academy [2012-2013]
Princess Diana High School [2014-2015]
Uganda Martyrs HS Lubaga [2016-207]
Kawempe Muslim SS [2018-2019]
Senior Career [Club level]
Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC [2018-2019]
Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC [2021-22]
She Corporate FC [2022]
Vihiga Queens FC (Kenya) [2022-2023]
Kampala Queens FC [2024]
National Team Career:
U20 National Team- 2019 [one time against Tanzania]
Senior Team [Crested Cranes]- [3 times]
