New national cricket coaches appointed

By Charles Mutebi 

THE answers to the major questions facing Uganda cricket largely lie within Uganda. 

That, at least, is the new belief inside the UCA and yesterday at Lugogo, the local governing cricket body offered proof of their convictions with the official unveiling of three crucial appointments. 

Davis Turinawe was named the new men’s national head coach, Frank Nsubuga the new women’s head coach and Henry Okecho the development manager, a newly created post. 

All three are Ugandans, of course, bringing to an end a recent tradition of looking abroad for the national men’s coach. Davis’ last three predecessors were a South African (Barny Mohammed), Kenyan (Martin Suji) and South African (Johan Rudolph). 

Turinawe is a 37 year-old passionate lover of cricket with a level 3 coaching certificate from South Africa, experience as the national U-19 and women’s coach. Turinawe also represented the U-19 national team and has played in the local league for almost two decades. 

He currently turns out for record champions Tornado and he promised to continue playing despite his new, special job. 

Nsubuga is the current assistant captain for the men’s side with nearly 20 years playing-experience while Okecho has just been the national assistant coach. 

Turinawe said: “I am qualified for this post, I am quite up there in terms of qualifications”. 

UCA chief executive Justin Lijalingi told New Vision Sport the move to go local has been carefully thought about and has the backing of all the major voices in the local sport. 

“These appointments are the result of the UCA retreat which was held in February,” said Lijalingi. “That means we own them as a fraternity.”