Ivan Ssegujja's football club fuels dreams and community change

In Uganda, where football is more than just a game, Ivan Ssegujja has tapped into the power of sports as both a unifying force and a platform for community transformation.

At the heart of his entrepreneurial journey stands Nsambya Furniture Workshop FC, a football club he founded to nurture local talent, inspire pride, and create opportunities for young people.

For Ssegujja, football is more than competition, it is a tool for empowerment. The club provides aspiring athletes with structured training, mentorship, and exposure, ensuring that raw talent has a pathway to professional growth. By investing in football, he has bridged business and community development, proving that sport can drive social impact while strengthening identity and belonging.

But Ssegujja Ivan’s story doesn’t end on the pitch. His entrepreneurial footprint extends across furniture, media, and home décor, each venture interconnected by a shared philosophy of quality, innovation, and cultural relevance.

His flagship enterprise, Nsambya Furniture Workshop, has redefined Uganda’s furniture industry by blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design. What began as a workshop has grown into a cultural institution, producing elegant, durable pieces that now furnish homes, offices, and institutions across the country. It is from this foundation that Ssegujja built the football club, linking commerce and sport in a way few Ugandan entrepreneurs have attempted.

Beyond furniture, his vision expanded into the media space with MBC TV Uganda, one of the country’s rising broadcasting platforms. Under his leadership, the station has grown into a trusted source of news, entertainment, and education, reaching millions with content that both informs and inspires. Just as his football club develops young athletes, his media venture nurtures narratives that empower and connect Ugandans.

Ssegujja at his showroom

Alongside him is his wife, Nagawa Irene (Mirembe), who leads Mirembe Beddings & Curtains, a company that has become a trendsetter in home décor. Together, the couple has built a strong entrepreneurial partnership, proving that collaboration within family can amplify business impact while championing social responsibility.

What ties all these ventures together is Ssegujja Ivan’s consistent vision: to create enterprises that are not only economically viable but also socially transformative. His businesses generate jobs, foster skills, and promote cultural pride, while his football club symbolizes his belief in sport as a vehicle for opportunity and hope.

Ssegujja has also embraced digital innovation, ensuring that each of his enterprises from the workshop to the football club has a strong online presence. Through social media, digital broadcasting, and e-commerce platforms, he has expanded visibility, connected with new audiences, and positioned his ventures for global recognition.

His journey has not been without challenges, Uganda’s entrepreneurial environment is demanding, with regulatory, infrastructural, and economic hurdles. Yet, Ssegujja’s resilience and strategic foresight have allowed his ventures to thrive, making him a respected figure among peers, investors, and the wider public.

Ultimately, sports remain the entry point to understanding Ssegujja Ivan’s impact. By starting with football and extending his vision into furniture, media, and décor, he has created an interconnected ecosystem of enterprises that inspire, employ, and empower.

His legacy is not just one of personal success, but of community transformation — a model of how sports and entrepreneurship can converge to shape a brighter future for Uganda.