How Wrexham AFC is being represented over in Uganda

Wrexham Football Club Uganda is a Ugandan football club based in the Kawempe suburb of Kampala.

The club was set up two years after a visit from Wrexham charity Teams4U in 2009 inspired locals to set up a team.

From a small number of children at that time, the club has shown significant growth in the past 11 years to now boast a range of teams from under-seven to senior level.

The men's team play in the 12-club KDFA fifth division.

That side kicked off their latest season with a 1-0 win over New Millenium FC on January 13 thanks to a goal from Oguu Rogers.

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Their home kits are sponsored by 'Wrexham Fans United' and feature the Wrexham AFC badge as well as the traditional red colours.

The men's side is managed and was founded by Kigozi Umar Walusimbi, who is a tailor by day.

PIC: Coach Kigozi addresses the men's team during a training session.

Speaking to the Leader, he said: "I started Wrexham Uganda on April 1, 2011. I was still young and in school at the time but I loved the way Teams4U used sport to engage us children and educate us about HIV/AIDS and STIs. 

"Now our team has grown up over the last 11 years and my love for Wrexham AFC is in my heart and so is doing charity work for training football with these young people."

But the project has not been without its struggles, as Kigozi explained.

He said: "In 2013, we had five centres in the country all with the Wrexham name. But with the struggle of funds, we now have just three.

"Our ultimate goal is to build the knowledge of youths and children, we want to fight the disease of HIV/AIDS and STDS/STIS for better health, life and tackle illiteracy among youths.

"Our mission is To develop, teach and promote amateur and professional sports to all ages, in a safe and healthy environment. Integrated in this is the building of self-esteem, self-confidence, team work, respect for self and others, and the inherent benefits of physical exercise.

"It is a struggle to cope with the demands put upon my coaches, players needs, training grounds, and matchday costs, school fees, scholastic materials.

"I thought when we started it would be easy but it’s not since a lot of children joining have different problems.

PIC: Kids at one of the Wrexham Uganda academies.

"My work is tailoring so when I get money from my job I also try to cover some of the issues in the academy but it’s a problem."

Dave Cooke of Teams4U helped deliver the team's first kit from Wrexham AFC back in 2016, via Spencer Harris who was club director at the time.

The club also gets a helping hand from the Wrexham Uganda WFSAU fundraising team on Facebook via a bonus ball scheme and more. The Evolution Media Group has also given the club a massive helping hand by creating its very own website featuring player profiles and so much more. 

Kigozi said: "We have 22 games to play in this season and if we perfom well we can get promoted. We have still a very big journey to go from one level to another which needs help always."

Asked about whether or not the team follows Wrexham's results back in north Wales, Kigozi added: "We can only see videos and follow updates on social media when posted. If we had the chance of watching it live it could be the best for us but we can say we follow each game.

PIC: Wrexham Uganda FC's coach Kigozi.

"The results give us the determination and courage we get."

The club is currently seeking donations to help cover the costs of facilities, equipment and more to support its goal of winning promotion to the fourth division come the end of this season.

Wrexham fans across the globe are beginning to take notice of Wrexham Uganda FC too - with many taking to Twitter to congratulate the mens team on their opening day win.

Some have even suggested that famous club owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds should visit Kampala ahead of the release of season two of 'Welcome to Wrexham'!

To read more about the club, visit www.Wrexhamug.com.