Kampala, Uganda – In a vibrant push to nurture young talent and foster community development, the WEHAT Foundation has launched its first-ever football tournament, targeting youth in Kampala’s semi-urban neighborhoods. The event kicked off over the weekend and is set to become a biannual highlight in the foundation’s calendar.
The initiative brings together 17 teams from areas including Ggangu, Busaabala, Salaama, and Makindye, offering a platform for young footballers to showcase their skills while promoting unity, discipline, and healthy lifestyles. Prior to the tournament, participants took part in a community cleaning exercise in Busaabala village, emphasizing the foundation’s holistic approach to development.
Founded three years ago, the WEHAT Foundation—an acronym for Welfare, Education, Healthcare, Advocacy, and Talent Development—is a Ugandan non-profit dedicated to creating a poverty-free, child-empowered society. It operates in several regions, including Mbale, Mbarara, Buikwe, Jinja, and Kampala, with a focus on equity, inclusion, and accountability.
According to Team Leader Musa Rugumayo, the football tournament will be held twice a year, in March and November, with the primary goal of supporting key foundation programs such as the WEHAT Education Fund, Health Outreaches, and Youth Development initiatives.
“Sports are a powerful vehicle for social change,” said Rugumayo. “By engaging youth through football, we not only promote talent and healthy living but also inspire community transformation.”
Rugumayo noted that football remains the most popular sport among young people in the Makindye division, where every suburb boasts at least five pitches hosting various competitive teams. The tournament, he said, will capitalize on this enthusiasm to encourage broader youth participation in positive, transformative activities.
Winners of the tournament will receive UGX 3 million, a trophy, and medals to support the growth of their teams. Runners-up will take home UGX 1.5 million and medals, while the third-place team will be awarded UGX 500,000. All participating teams will receive certificates to enhance their performance profiles.
Looking ahead, the foundation hopes to attract even more teams in the next edition, with a particular focus on increasing female participation
