Khokho Uganda trains 30 coaches, targets nationwide growth

The nationwide expansion of Khokho is progressing well, according to Khokho Uganda vice president in charge of administration, Robert Ssozi.

Ssozi was the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the first three-day national Level One coaching course held at Mukono East Primary School on Thursday, where 30 participants graduated with certificates.

He congratulated the coaches and urged them to put their training into practice by establishing clubs and encouraging schools in their respective districts to embrace the sport.

Ssozi also challenged the coaches to strictly observe the principle of fair play, which he described as a major challenge in many sports.

Khokho Uganda Level One coaching course graduates at Mukono East Primary School, August 20, 2026, with their certificates. Photo: Silvano Kibuuka

"Khokho, an Indian-origin game introduced in Uganda in 2022, is catching on like wildfire and becoming one of the major games in the country because of its popularity, low costs, and proper structural development. Always respect the principle of fair play to grow the game," Ssozi said.

He revealed that one of Khokho Uganda's five-year targets is to train 1,000 coaches, 500 referees, and 100 instructors across the country who will spearhead regional training programs and further expand the sport.

Ssozi urged the newly certified coaches to become ambassadors of the game and work towards having more schools participate in the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) competitions next year, particularly in fast-growing regions such as Kampala, Buganda, Serere, Fort Portal, and Masindi.

"Form clubs that will compete in regional and national competitions as we look forward to kicking off the national Super League in December this year," Ssozi added.

Khokho Uganda CEO Denis Mpoza urged the coaches to uphold professional ethics during the forthcoming National Primary Schools Games in Masindi later this month.

He said some of the newly graduated coaches will be leading teams at the championships and challenged them to demonstrate professionalism and properly apply the rules of the game.

"Some of the coaches who have graduated here will be taking teams to the National Primary Schools Championships in Masindi this month. Exercise professionalism and portray the rules of the game correctly as fresh graduates," Mpoza cautioned.

Khokho Uganda Assistant Technical Director Sharon Oroma said the course equipped the coaches with modern teaching methodologies, structural knowledge, player safety training, and skills to expand the sport in schools and clubs.

"They now know the basic rules of attacking and defending and can train players in schools, clubs, and communities. This will help bridge the gap caused by a lack of knowledge of the basic rules and the concentration of the sport in the central region and urban areas," Oroma said.

She added that the federation plans to organize more coaching clinics and regional capacity-building programs to spread Khokho across the country.

Oroma also encouraged the coaches to pursue the Level Two coaching course whenever opportunities arise.

Course-organising chairman Cyrus Semuhara, who is the Mukono Municipality District Sports Officer and Khokho Uganda Vice Secretary, called on the fraternity to transform the sport into a financially viable venture that can attract more players and stakeholders while raising its standards.

According to Khokho Uganda Technical Director Ephraim Makubuya, the sport previously operated with fewer than 10 coaches, most of whom have now become instructors.

The latest training is therefore expected to increase the number of qualified coaches and accelerate the nationwide development of the sport.