Anisha Shahir Muhoozi: From a banker to football CEO lighting up the game
Determined to bring back fans, Muhoozi took action, introducing night football, a game changer for the club, redefining the football experience and drawing supporters back into the stadium.
Anisha Shahir Muhoozi Chief Executive Officer of KCCA FC during an interview at CHINT Electric Uganda on March 7, 2025. (Credit: Mary Kansiime)
By Jacky Achan
Journalists @New Vision
Sherry Shi, the Managing Director CHINT Electric Uganda and Anisha Shahir Muhoozi, the Chief Executive Officer of KCCA FC celebrate the CHINT Electric Uganda female staff on Women's Day celebrations during an interview at CHINT Electric Uganda on March 7, 2025. (Credit: Mary Kansiime) Anisha Shahir Muhoozi Chief Executive Officer of KCCA FC during an interview at CHINT Electric Uganda on March 7, 2025. (Credit: Mary Kansiime) Sherry Shi and Anisha Shahir Muhoozi
KAMPALA - When Anisha Shahir Muhoozi decided to leave behind a decade-long career in banking, she sought a fresh challenge in an entirely new field: a football club.
She knew little about football, but the industry offered an intriguing opportunity. Driven by curiosity and ambition, Muhoozi applied for the job, eager to try something entirely new.
“I jumped into the deep end, but I was determined to make an impact,” she recalls.
In 2018, Muhoozi joined Kampala City Council Authority Football Club (KCCA FC) as an administrator tasked with streamlining operations and introducing professionalism.
Recognising her efficiency, the club’s leadership soon entrusted her with even greater responsibility. Within just eight months, Muhoozi was promoted to acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) following the resignation of Josephine Namukisa.
Soon after, she officially assumed the role, marking a new era for the club.
By the time Muhoozi took the helm, KCCA FC had already begun its transformation into a corporate entity, fully incorporated and registered as a legal company in 2012. Her mission as CEO was to elevate the club to new heights, a challenge she embraced wholeheartedly.
Today, KCCA FC stands as one of the top Uganda Premier League football clubs with two major titles won under Muhoozi’s leadership: the Uganda Premier League title and the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Clubs Cup, both clinched in 2019.
Trophies define football success, and KCCA FC has no shortage of silverware, boosting 25 trophies since its inception: 13 Uganda Premier League titles, 10 Uganda Cups and two CECAFA trophies.
However, beyond the silverware, one of Muhoozi’s proudest achievements was introducing night football at KCCA FC’s Phillip Omondi Stadium, a dream she had harboured since stepping into the football world.
She had observed the disappointing attendance at 4 p.m. matches, where many fans were held back by work commitments, while others avoided the games due to the scorching afternoon heat. With games scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the club was struggling to attract large crowds.
Determined to bring back fans, Muhoozi took action, introducing night football, a game changer for the club, redefining the football experience and drawing supporters back into the stadium.
Games are now at 7 p.m., and fans are attending them in big numbers after work. It has had a big impact on the growth of the game and the club's brand.
How it happened
Turning night football into a reality was no small feat. It required a thorough study, identifying gaps, and securing the right partners to make it happen. Floodlights for a stadium come at a steep cost. Muhoozi turned to CHINT, the largest electronics company in Uganda. She found an ally in the sales manager, Charles Kisame, who played a key role in connecting her to CHINT’s top leadership, led by Sherry Shi.
Muhoozi had a clear vision. She knew what night football could do for the club, but there was a challenge; Shi was not a football fan and had no prior experience with sports sponsorship. However, what she did understand was business, negotiation, and strategy.
For four relentless years, Muhoozi and her team pitched, persuaded and painted the dream. It wasn’t easy, but their persistence paid off. Shi finally agreed, and night football at KCCA FC became a reality.
Looking back, Shi admits it was Muhoozi’s determination and unwavering belief in the dream that ultimately convinced her to say yes.
Upon agreeing to a three-year partnership as KCCA FC’s lead shirt sponsor, CHINT not only provided floodlights but also installed the structures and continues to maintain them.
“Since getting floodlights, night football has thrived. Fans now enjoy more night matches, not just for KCCA FC, but also for other clubs using our stadium,” Muhoozi shares.
Reflecting on the journey, she describes it as transformative for both the club and CHINT. “We have grown as a football club, and CHINT has expanded as a business. It’s been a win-win.”
For Muhoozi, her eight-year tenure at the club has been nothing short of a game-changer.
“I am grateful for the partnership with CHINT,” she reflects. “Too often as women, we struggle to support and uplift one another. We tend to warm up to men more easily, but when it comes to fellow women, ego clashes sometimes get in the way.”
Involving women and ensuring safety
Football is a highly emotional sport, and ensuring safety in the stadium is of utmost importance, Muhoozi explains.
“We have security officers, police, and stewards stationed at every corner of the stadium, carefully monitoring the crowd on match day,” she shares.
Each steward is clearly labelled, making them easily identifiable to fans. There is a steward for every 100 fans to help manage the crowd and prevent potential hazards.”
To minimise risks, the stadium has a strict policy: no glass or metal cans are allowed, only plastic bottles, to prevent fans from using them as weapons in emotionally charged moments. “This has helped us avert incidents during games,” Muhoozi adds.
The stadium’s solar-powered floodlights provided by CHINT, ensure every corner is lit, offering complete visibility. Even the walkways outside the stadium are bathed in light, contributing to a safe environment. “We have had no major security issues,” she says confidently.
The sense of security has encouraged more women to attend the games. “Safety is guaranteed within the stadium and surrounding areas,” Muhoozi affirms. “And if anything were to happen, we have a robust security system in place to handle it.”
Educating their fan base has been crucial to maintaining peace. And Muhoozi is proud to declare that KCCA FC has corporate fans who do not engage in violence.
“We have created measures to prevent conflicts,” she explains. “For example, we separate our fans sitting area from that of the visiting fans, keeping the atmosphere civil. But if fans want to mingle, we have multiple strategies in place to diffuse tension.”
To attract more women to games, KCCA FC has introduced family-friendly incentives.
“In the past, wives to men with match day tickets entered the stadium for free,” she shares. “Now, we offer family packages, where children can watch the game at no charge. We want to make football a family event, drawing in more women who are deeply connected to family life.”
As the partnership with CHINT nears its final year, discussions on an extension are already underway. “The benefits of this partnership have been impeccable for both parties,” Muhoozi says with certainty. “CHINT is currently building a mega hub in the heart of Kampala, and we are eager to continue this journey with them.”
Looking ahead, Muhoozi sees tremendous potential for future growth. “There is a lot more we can do – like introducing electronic pitch boxes or lighting up more streets in our vicinity with solar power. We just need to be more intentional in seeking these opportunities, but so far, the partnership has been incredibly rewarding.”
As the club continues to evolve, Muhoozi acknowledges the challenges.
“We are building our stadium and club, which means there is a lot of work ahead. While some technical difficulties arise, we have been able to manage them and continue moving forward.”
Passion and perseverance in the game
The professional football landscape remains overwhelmingly male-dominated. In Uganda, only three women have held CEO positions in football clubs.
Bridget Nakayenga served as acting CEO of Uganda Revenue Authority Football Club (URA FC) from December 2019 to September 2020.
Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi was chairperson of Express Football Club from 2016 to 2018, and Muhoozi currently serves as CEO of KCCA FC.
Despite their involvement, football leadership in Uganda remains deeply rooted in male dominance both traditionally and structurally.
For Muhoozi, one of the key factors that has allowed her to remain in the football industry for so long is her passion for the game.
“When I first joined, I didn’t know much about football,” she admits. “But someone told me, ‘Football is a cult. Once you are in, you won't be able to get out."
Three years into her journey, Muhoozi had an eye-opening realisation. “That statement turned out to be true. Football is something you can't walk in and walk out of. It’s a deep-consuming love.”
She has come to embrace the sport and, over time, has grown to truly love the game. Yet her path hasn’t been without its challenges. “The journey has been tough,” she reflects. “Right now, we're going through a difficult period as a club. KCCA FC last won trophies in 2019.”
Despite the challenges, Muhoozi remains unwavering in her commitments. “Every day, I remain passionate about what I do. The tough times don’t change my dedication.”
Passion and intentionality in football
For Muhoozi, joining the sports industry is no easy feat. “Every industry has its demands, but sports require even more,” she says. “It takes intentionality and a deep-rooted passion to thrive in this field.”
Muhoozi has always approached her career with intentionality. “I was very focused on where I wanted to go. I made sure to seek knowledge not just through formal education but also online, watching YouTube videos and using various online platforms to learn the game.”
Her success, she believes, has come from a combination of intentionality and passion. “I am very competitive. I don’t like it when someone beats me to something. I constantly strive to set trends.”
Muhoozi sees her team as trendsetters in the industry, always surpassing normal limits. “When someone else does something before us, it feels like my world is crumbling,” she laughs.
While driving alone isn’t enough, Muhoozi credits her competitiveness as a driving force. “But I don’t rely solely on that. I make sure to consult others when I have a strong idea or vision. I believe great things are coming our way as a football club.”
She is also committed to developing other women in the industry. “I have a team of seven women under me, but I know I need to do more. Mentorship is something I haven’t done enough of yet, and that’s something I aim to focus on in the future.”
Embracing challenges with faith and passion
“I'm an incredibly enthusiastic, self-motivated person,” Muhoozi shares with a smile. I am naturally inquisitive, and eager to explore new territories and embrace challenges. Challenging situations drive me, and above all, I'm a God-fearing.”
Muhoozi wears many hats: she is a mother of two girls and, at the same time, the CEO of KCCA FC, one of the most successful clubs in Uganda.
“When I first joined, I had my doubts. I often wondered if I was in the right place or if I had made the right choice. But I'm not one to give up easily.”
“Luckily, I got a lot of support from the club leadership, my staff, fans, the team and my supervisors. I had a very good support system.
Despite her initial hesitation, Muhoozi found strength in her support system. “I was fortunate to receive tremendous support from the club leadership, my staff, the fans and my team. With their encouragement, I found my footing and grew into the role.
Her resilience, combined with the support of those around her, has been the foundation of her success.