Uganda: Buwate Sports Academy

Summary of RMF/MTCF-sponsored activities carried out during the reporting period under each project objective:

• During the Easter holiday, the Sports Academy participated in the Easter Cup Tournament which took place in Kira grounds. Other teams that participated included: Bulindo FC, Kyaliwajala Red Stars, Five to Seven FC, and Kira Soccer Academy. Buwate Sports Academy was eliminated at the semi-finals. During this tournament our players got medals for exhibiting exceptional skills during the match.
• In the month of May, the Sports Academy organized a special training program. In this program, the children had the opportunity to train with Uganda Cranes X players who have joined international teams. The training was conducted at Nakivubo National Stadium in Kampala. The sessions also involved giving career guidance to the children.
• During the training one boy (Shawn Kayiza) exhibited exceptional skills and has been selected to join the Uganda under-17 National Team. He is amongst the four boys who won last year’s school fees bursary to attend some of the affluent secondary schools in Uganda. This has inspired the other members of the Academy tremendously.
• During the reporting period, Buwate organized some friendly encounters and these included: Buwate vs. Vegas Soccer Academy (both boys and girls under 14). This was hosted at Kasangati playground;  during this encounter, 13-year-old Ronald Male in primary 6 (Buwate member) became the player of the day and was awarded school fees’ bursary by Kazinga Primary School up to the end of primary seven. In this friendly encounter, the under-10 boys of Buwate won the game 2-1 in favor of Buwate Youth Sports Academy. Buwate girls won 1-0.
• The Academy leadership had meetings with parents/guardians of the children in the Academy to discuss issues concerning: shifting the playing from Buwate to Seeta, parents’/guardians’ responsibility of paying the remaining school fee balances as agreed, children’s discipline and general skills in parenting. Such meetings increase unity and collaboration between the community and the Academy.
• The Academy has commenced the vocational skills training program. Tailoring and music lessons have started in full gear.
• We transported children in the Sports Academy for home away encounters (Kasangati grounds and Nakivubo stadium); all this is aimed at building skills and confidence in the children.
• 65 children under sponsorship had their school fees paid by RMF/MTCF for the second term.
• Exercise books were given to the orphans and vulnerable children under sponsorship.
• The Academy managed to buy sports items such as jerseys and balls.
• Food for the children in the Sports Academy was provided (rice, maize flour, cooking oil) during training and other sports activities. This is a way of keeping the children healthy as well as motivating them to continue to come to trainings. In addition, during outside sports activities children were served meals.
• Wages for the two cooks were paid.

Results and/or accomplishments achieved during this reporting period:

• Buwate Youth Sports Academy children participated in the Easter Cup Tournament that was held in Kira football grounds.
• The Academy children had a special training session with Uganda Cranes former players who have joined international teams at Nakivubo Stadium.
• The Academy participated in friendly encounters during this reporting period which were held at Kasangati grounds and Nakivubo stadium.
• The Sports Academy has started to roll out the vocational skills training program, beginning with tailoring and music lessons.
• During sports activities the children received food.
• The Academy has been able to purchase some sports items such as balls, football boots and jerseys.
• School fees for 65 children were paid and thus being sustained in school.
• Wages for two cooks were paid.
• Scholastic materials for the children were bought.
• The meetings organized with parents and guardians were very successful; this is an indicator that the bond between the community and the Academy is getting stronger.
• One member from Buwate (Shawn Kayiza) has been selected to join the Uganda under-17 National Team
• 13-year-old Ronald Male in primary 6 (Buwate member) was awarded school fees’ bursary by Kazinga Primary School up to the end of primary seven.

Notable project challenges and obstacles:

• The Academy lacks key facilities such as a house, leveled playground etc.
• Some children in the Academy still don’t have school fees due to their unfortunate background. The current funding cannot cater for all the children. .
• The playground has been sold to an investor and now it is tedious for the boys and girls of Buwate to walk to Seeta where the new playground has been established.
• Food is also not enough especially during the holiday periods, the children are too many.
• Transport is still a big problem, when it comes to home away matches.
• Volunteer coaches are not always available due to transport costs and other constraints. There is need to give them an attractive incentive to keep them involved.
• The unstable exchange rate makes purchasing of needed items difficult.
• Depending on volunteer coaches only is not reliable. When they are absent the activities of the Academy are paralyzed. There is need to recruit at least one assistant coach
• Difficulties in accessing health care. It requires walking over 5km to reach the nearest government health facilities.
• The project still lacks a mechanism of locally generating its own income to supplement the funding received from RMF/MTCF.

APPENDIX A
The Easter Cup Tournament at Kira Grounds

The under-17 Kireka team warm up before the match is started

Spectators at the Easter Cup Tournament

One player was injured during the game

Appendix B
The Nakivubo Holiday Training with international Uganda Cranes X players

Boys in training with the International Uganda Cranes X players at Nakivubo Stadium

Playing in action at Nakivubo Stadium

In red are the Uganda Cranes International players who conducted the training sessions

The training comes to an end at Nakivubo Stadium

APPENDIX C
Holiday Program at Kasangati Grounds

The under-14 players with their counterparts, Vegas Soccer Academy at Kasangati playground

The girls of the Buwate Academy (yellow) with the Vegas Soccer Academy at Kasangati Grounds

This is Ronald Male (with hands on his head) who won the school bursary from primary six to primary seven at Kazinga Primary School

Lining up for food at Buwate

APPENDIX D
Distribution of Scholastic Material

(L) The children of Kireka receive books with a lot of excitement; (R) The under-17 Kireka team after receiving books from RMF

Children relaxing at the Buwate football grounds waiting for the distribution of scholastic materials

APPENDIX E
Meeting with Parents and Guardians

Wilberforce Okello, a parent, giving remarks during the meeting

The Sports Academy Executive Director addressing the parents and guardians in Buwate


RMF Area Coordinator giving scholastic material go children going back to school

APPENDIX F
Projects Initiated at the Sports Academy

Two sewing machines and a keyboard available for vocational skills training

Instructor for tailoring (R) with the pioneers of the tailoring class