Namilyango College recruits national team star Fred Achelam to revive cricket

The days of Busoga College Mwiri and Jinja Secondary School dominating school cricket may be numbered.

This follows Namilyango College's recruitment of national team wicketkeeper Fred Achelam as the school's cricket coach in a bid to revive the sport at the Namilyango Hill-based boys' school.

Coach Achelam was unveiled at the school assembly on March 24, 2026, and expressed excitement about the opportunity to impart knowledge to the youngsters.

The staff and old Students of Namilyango College School witness the unveiling of Fred Achelam (R) by the Headteacher of Namilyango College as the Cricket team coach. Looking on right is Uganda Cricket Association chairman Jackson Kavuma. PHOTO: Johnson Were

"I cannot wait to get started. This is a great opportunity to teach skills to the young lads and above all, impact the love of the game," Achelam said.

He added that he is ready to train the players and unearth talent from the grassroots, with the key objective of growing cricket at Namilyango and in Uganda.

He joins the school following a partnership between the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) and the Namilyango College Old Boys' class of 1995–2000, who have set up a strategy to revamp cricket at the traditionally rugby-dominated school.

Between 1995 and 2000, cricket was among the stronghold sports disciplines at Namilyango College. However, the sport declined significantly, leaving rugby to thrive and carry the school's flag for the last two decades.

Namilyango College headteacher Constantine Mpuuga (C) and Uganda Cricket Association chairman Jackson Kavuma with the staff, old boys and students to launch Cricket at Namilyango College. PHOTO: Johnson Were

Now, the old boys are determined to make Namilyango great again in cricket. On Tuesday, they donated equipment including bats, cricket balls, stumps, and wickets. They have also hired national team wicketkeeper Fred Achelam as the school coach, tasked with training and developing talent to restore the school's glory in the sport.

Handing over the equipment to the headteacher, Constantine Mpuuga, Jackson Kavuma, the UCA chairman, expressed excitement at seeing cricket return to Namilyango College.

"We as Uganda Cricket Association are excited to see the sport revamped at Namilyango. The school has been known for rugby, but we look at seeing it as a powerhouse in cricket also," Kavuma said.

"We want to see Namilyango rejoin the cricket family that includes Busoga College Mwiri, Nyakasura School, Jinja Senior Secondary School, and Kings College Budo, and this will be achieved through competing regularly in the cricket week," Kavuma added.

Headteacher Constantine Mpuuga assured the old boys of the school leadership's commitment to supporting and growing the sport.

"We are committed to giving our learners the opportunity to discover their talents. We have the other classrooms, the playing facilities, and now that we have got the coach, we look at Namilyango being a powerhouse in cricket as well," Mpuuga stated.

The old boys were led by former head prefect John Mpande, Joseph Kawombe, Ivan Gitta, and veteran seasoned sports journalist Mark Namanya.

Mpande said that as old boys, they are committed to supporting the sport to shine once again.

"We played cricket here during our years. We want to revamp it and make it as great as rugby," Mpande said.