Clad in his unmistakable round-brimmed hat and wide sunglasses, Era Mugisa sat peacefully as Kyakamese and Kyamogi dueled in a hot-blooded football contest that yielded five goals and plenty more excitement for the spectators.

Mugisa enjoyed it, judging by the fact he sat through the entire game. His memory, ravaged by dementia, clearly still identifies with and enjoys sport.

Barak Orland and his family at the celebrations

Martin Kyomugisha celebrates his victory

Kakindo Village relishes sport too, and it was evident all through the inaugural Era Mugisa memorial sports day, which started with a 14-man Run in the morning and climaxed with a gripping penalty shootout in the men’s final between Kakindo and Kyakamese, with the latter winning 4-1 on spot kicks following a 0-0 draw in regulation time.

In between those events, there were volleyball, netball and shooting contests, all held on the premises of Kakindo Primary School.

Enjoying the festivities on an even deeper level were Mugisa’s children, Ellen, Eva, Evas, and Steven, who organized the day in honour of their father. Evas Mugisa, commonly known as Evas Orland, is the most familiar face of Mugisa’s children, with her husband Barak and children Aviv, Stav, and Alon, all household names in Ugandan motocross.

Barak, Stav, and Alon were all present, as were Evas’ daughter Bar, her nieces Mckinley and Helena, and nephews Justus and Theo.

Some of the athletes at the celebrations

This was a special day for the Mugisa family, made even more memorable by the fact that it was the birthday of the family matriarch Robina Mugisa. Ellen, Eva, and Steven all leave and work abroad, but they planned for a family Christmas with a different twist this year and pulled it off. Their brother Edson, who lives in America like Eva and Steven, could not find time off work.

“Since we were all going to be here,” Steven, who managed the day, told New Vision Sports, “we figured we should do something to honour dad. He has done a lot for the village; he has done a lot for Uganda.”

That is putting it mildly. Mugisa is a legendary sports administrator by any measure. His profile has a litany of achievements spanning four decades and multiple continents. Uganda Cranes first coach (1962-64), Mugisa was FUFA president during the team’s 1978 Afcon heyday. Mugisa revolutionized sports at Makerere University, where he served as a long-term sports tutor, and it was at his leading that university sports body AUUS was founded 30 years ago. Mugisa was president of the Uganda Hockey Federation and general secretary of Uganda Athletics Federation, among other capacities locally, in East African sports and on the African continent.

Steven Mugisa greets some of the athletes

Mugisa, who has a doctorate in sports science, was inducted into the State University of New York sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

He may not have recollection of it all, but Era Mugisa legacy will live on for many years to come. In Kakindo, where it all started, his name will be kept alive and celebrated through a sports day that his children are determined to organize for the foreseeable future.

Mugisa with his family

“This is something that we can keep doing because we have to keep his legacy,” Evas told New Vision Sport. “It is even better that we had the first one while he is still here and he can see what is going on even though he may not understand everything.”

2023 Era Mugisa Sports Day

Winners

Run

1.Martin Kyomugisha

2.Henry Murungi

3.James Bosco

Football

Final: Kakindo 0-0 Kyakamese

(Kakindo won 4-1 on penalties)

Volleyball

Kakindo 2-1 Kyamogi

Netball

Kibugubya 19 – 7 Kakindo