“We Took Each Match As A Final”: Kawempe Referees Defy Odds To Win Inter DFA Title

Unity And Tactics : How Kawempe Referees Rewrote Their History To Become Champions

Kawempe Referees Crowned Champions of Kampala Region Inter DFA Tournament 2026

From underdogs to champions. Kawempe DFA Referees Team defied all odds to lift the Kampala Region Referees Inter DFA Tournament 2026 after a dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Makindye DFA in the final.

The final had everything. Makindye came out flying in the first half and took a commanding 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Blair Mbuluwaze and Robert Mugisha. It looked like the trophy was heading to Makindye.

But Kawempe had other plans. They returned from the break with renewed energy and a tactical change that flipped the game. Abineno Cartland led the comeback with a brilliant hat-trick to put Kawempe 3-2 ahead. Makindye refused to go down, and Ssabataya Gadafi grabbed a late equalizer to force the match into penalties.

From the spot, Kawempe held their nerve. Despite Cartland missing his kick, Kaweesa Jonathan, Kafuluma Julius, and Ssentamu Gavin all converted to seal a 3-2 shootout win. For Makindye, Isabirye Ali and Ssemakula Frank scored, while Kigozi Gonzaga, Musisi Henry ‘Zaga’, and Ssekiziyivu Henry missed.

That result completed a remarkable turnaround for Kawempe. In the first edition, they lost all six matches as Rubaga lifted the title. This year, they came back assembled, united, and determined to rewrite the story.

How Kawempe Defied The Odds
No one gave Kawempe much of a chance going into the tournament. They were written off after past struggles, but instead of folding, they treated every game like a final. A key tactical switch in the final summed up their resilience. After going 2-0 down, the technical team pushed Julius Kafuluma into defense and moved Cartland further up front. The change paid off immediately, with Cartland’s pace tearing Makindye apart as he completed his hat-trick.

Unity, planning, and belief carried them through five teams — Kawempe, Rubaga, Nakawa, Kampala Central and Makindye — in the second edition of the tournament.

From Your Left Mugisha Robert Topscorer, Mirimu Noah holding the Fairplay Award, Cartland from Kawempe-MVP and In Blue is Letti Emmanuel Best Goalkeeper.

Individual Awards

• Top Goal Scorer: Mugisa Robert (4 Goals) – Makindye DFA
• MVP: Abineno Cartland – Kawempe DFA
• Best Goalkeeper: Letti Emma – Makindye DFA
• Fair Play Award: Kampala Central DFA

Reactions

Luswata Edward, Kawempe Technical Team:

“Most teams underrated us but for us we took each match as a final which helped us to achieve this milestone.”

Kawempe Attacking Midfielder:

“We were nervous in the first half and we conceded two early goals but we made a tactical switch of bringing Julius Kafuluma in the defence and Cartland switched to the attacker. Given his pace he scored three goals for us.”

Kayima Huzairu, Kawempe Manager:

“First of all let me thank the almighty for helping us to clinch this championship. Taking you back to the first edition when Rubaga lifted the title, as Kawempe we lost all the six matches but we never lost hope.

We went back to the drawing board, we assembled a team that could compete favorably in this edition and indeed our preparations never let us down.

We have been working as a team, with unity and making decisions as a whole technical team, that is why we have been able to achieve this milestone.

To those who haven’t been able to win this championship, let them not lose hope. There was only one team that was supposed to lift this championship. Nevertheless we hope to come back stronger in the third edition and defend this title and make history.

I would like to thank our fans who have been behind us from the start and whoever supported us financially. May God reward you abundantly.”

Frank Kakudu, Tournament Organizer:

“We had a good tournament where all 5 DFAs managed to participate, giving a chance to everyone to engage in this tournament. Teams gathered in one place which enabled members to know each other, hence creating togetherness and friendship among referees in Kampala.

Young talented referees have also been given a chance to officiate games in front of their top leaders and seniors who guided them on their work on the field of play, which can be a kick start for them to get big appointments.

Thanks to all our participants, sponsors, organizers, and each and everyone who did anything for the progress of this tournament.”

Julius Kawuma, Makindye Midfielder:

“We created a lot of chances but we weren’t clinical enough upfront and our backline lost concentration. Luck wasn’t on our side, having led the match 2-0 at half-time.”

Lubwama Ivan, Kawempe Captain:

“I feel very excited. It’s a great achievement for our team to win this trophy in a tournament where we were categorized as underdogs but we managed to defy odds.

Our biggest strength that led us to glory was teamwork and determination. Even in a final game where we went 2-0 behind in half time we managed to push ourselves up to the final whistle and with GOD on our side we made it.”

The tournament, now in its second edition, continues to grow as a platform for unity and development among referees in the Kampala Region. Rubaga won the inaugural