By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus – Jackson Muwanguzi, the captain of the KIU football team has only a semester to reach the end of his current academic tenure at the university.

But the talisman has always strived for the best in every aspect of life, yet he still dreams for a lot more to come his way until that time when he can play no more.

Born on November 6, 1996, in Namutumba district in Eastern Uganda, Muwanguzi is regarded as one of the best defenders at KIU and the university league. Inspired by his father, a former footballer, he started playing soccer with his age mates when he was in Primary Two at Busesa Primary School.

He later joined Bukoyo Secondary School and Iganga High School for O'level before crossing to Balawoli Secondary School for A'level. In August 2018, he joined KIU to pursue a Bachelor of Procurement and Supply Chain Management.

At KIU, it took him no time to join the university football team, where he has risen through the ranks to become captain, a title he has held for the last two years.

He has had many unforgettable moments with the KIU football team, most notable of which was KIU’s 1-0 victory over Makerere University on January 21, 2019, at Gogonya to qualify for the knockouts. 

"It was a do or die match and for us, it was one option, 'to win', and surely we did it the hard way," Muwanguzi recollects.

He is also grateful to football because it has enabled him to study for free straight from his primary school days until now. He is a beneficiary of the KIU sports scholarship scheme.

He cites Victors FC captain Isaac Katwere and Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos as his biggest influences.

He has however, not been without his fair share of low moments, most notable of these being the massive hit football and school life were dealt by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen the University Football League suspended until now.

Due to the National Council of Sports rule that prohibits university football team students from featuring for the National Football League sides, Muwanguzi has missed out on playing for several teams in the Uganda Premier League, being only able to feature for regional league side Nsambya FC.

He will always have fond memories of KIU because it was the University of his dreams, plus the many friends, the excellent learning atmosphere, and the university's commitment to support and elevate students with excellent sporting abilities.

 With the curtain soon falling on his stay at KIU, he looks forward to a better life with a well-established club after his degree at the end of 2021.