Last week, Suzan Kabejja Kafumbe, former treasurer of the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) and co-founder of the renowned Lady Bucks, passed away. As the sports community mourns her loss, this edition is dedicated to commemorating the lives and legacies of notable Ugandan women athletes who have passed away.
Violet Kayaga Kalisa
Violet Kayaga Kalisa had an illustrious career in sports administration. In addition to her participation in netball and athletics during her school years, Kalisa led the Uganda Netball Association (now UNF) twice, from 1972 to 1978 and from 1982 until 1984. She stepped down to focus on her role as a passport control officer at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In 1992, she became the head of the Uganda Athletics Federation. Kalisa also served on the FUFA executive committee and various other committees. She passed away in 2000.
Margaret Bisereko Ayoo
Margaret Bisereko Ayoo was a versatile athlete who excelled in netball, handball, volleyball, athletics, and basketball. She won numerous titles at local, regional, and continental levels. Notably, she secured a silver medal in the pentathlon at the 1978 Africa Games in Algiers. Ayoo captained and coached the She Cranes and played a significant role in various national teams. She passed away after a remarkable career.
Judith Ayaa
Judith Ayaa was a distinguished sprinter who won gold medals in various regional competitions and participated in the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. Ayaa made history as the first Ugandan woman to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games, securing a bronze in 1970. She passed away in 2002.
Aidah Musoke
Aidah Musoke, a prominent netball player, began her career with the Coffee Marketing Board team in 1974. Known for her height and aggression, she was pivotal in the She Cranes’ victory at the 1975 regional tournament in Zanzibar. Tragically, Musoke died in a motor vehicle accident on the Iganga-Busia highway in 1978.
Harriet Apako
Harriet Apako excelled in netball, handball, and basketball, winning over 30 major titles. Twice named Netballer of the Year and Sports Personality of the Year in 1995, she was a key member of the She Cranes team that won gold at the 2011 All Africa Games in Mozambique and competed in the 2015 Netball World Cup in Australia. Apako passed away on October 15, 2015.
Constance Rwabiryagye
Constance Rwabiryagye set national and regional records in javelin. She made history by winning a gold medal at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland, becoming the first Ugandan woman to achieve this feat. Rwabiryagye also won a bronze medal at the 1978 All Africa Games in Algiers. She has since passed away.
Suzan Namatovu Ddumba
Suzan Namatovu Ddumba was a dynamic netball and handball player, excelling with the Prisons and Bank of Uganda teams. She played a crucial role in the She Cranes’ participation in the 1979 Netball World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago and led the Bank of Uganda team to the 1987 league title. She died in the 1990s.
Norah Mukasa
Norah Mukasa was a talented mid-court player for the KCCA netball team before joining Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB) netball club, where she shone in all defensive positions. She played for the She Cranes in the 1979 Netball World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago. Mukasa passed away on May 30, 2018.
These remarkable women left an indelible mark on Ugandan sports, paving the way for future generations of female athletes.
