COACH KAYANJA JOHN FROM GRACE TO GRACE GUIDING UPDF MOUNTAIN DIVISION TO CDF CUP FOOTBALL VICTORY OVER UPDF LAND FORCES GENERAL HQs BOMBO (JSHQ BDE).

The 2024 16th edition of the CDF CUP saw over 18 Team from various UPDF divisions and independent units take part in football and netball competitions. 

Coach KAYANJA JOHN is well known for his successive wining record at various levels every since he join the coaching career after playing for the military best side Simba FC in the early 90s. 

When asked about his experience at his new units UPDF Mountain division where he had just been transfered last year from the UPDF Land forces headquarters Bombo where he had spent most of his coaching career for over 20years this is what he had to say "How wonderful, how glorious, Victorious, my debt is paid From grace to grace". 

Coach Kayanja shared about how he fail out with the UPDF FC administration after he was layed off along side his former teammate and coach Wakaza Godfrey who is still know as the all time goal scorer for the UPDF senior football.

He feels their departure from UPDF FC left alot to be desired, but as a soldier regardless of your football experience, your a soldier first and transfers have to be respected. 

He attributed his team's victory to the leadership of UPDF Mountain Division under the command of current  Division Commander Maj General Richard Otto, deputy Division commander Col. Paul Muwonge who created a friendly environment for sports by providing the team with the necessary equipment and facilitation. Further more he said, the Genesis of my success is also equally attributed towards my Former UPDF mountain Division commander Major General Dick Olum and Former assistant Division commander Brig Mugerwa who welcomed me to the new unit in 2023 and gave me the task of preparing a strong football team tho later the duo were transfered.

from the left coach Kayanja, coach Mukadasi & coach Yazidi.

 The division leadership has been very instrumental to our sucess for they have created a good environment for sports even amidst our busy military duties.  Other leaders include  Lt Col Anang the DAO ,Col Kyomuhendo the DOTO , Maj Katamba the PIO, W01 Turihabwe Micheal the  DSM,  and other commanders of my current unit. 

Club technical & administration staff include coach Oriti Moses mukadasi,  Chak Yazidi, Maj Sali club chairman, Capt Dominic, Major Benon the PC, Capt Robinson Oponya the sports officer,  

S/Sgt Otema team admin .

UPDF mountain Division FC captain Pte Kisembo Douglas receiving the 2024 CDF cup football trophy from Lt General Charles Otema COS LF.

Thanks to my players under their captain and goalkeeper Pte Kisembo Douglas for the love, support, care and trust they had in me. Thanks to our NETBALL team especially coach Kagolo Kenneth for the team work.

Kisembo Douglas played for UPDF FC when he was still a civilian but later after military training Joined Mountain Division, he saved two  penalties at the finals defeating Bombo based UPDF Land forces HQs ( JSHQ BDE)  by 3-1.

When coach Kayanja John reached UPDF Mountain division he was given a task of organizing a football squad that would later win them the most precious trophy in UPDF football history. By suprise Mountain division were given the chance to host the 16th edition of the CDF CUP in Fortpotal and by surprise coach Kayanja faced off with his former Land Force Hqs sports masters of Bombo in the football finals. This was the time to prove his worth and due to his coaching experience his side UPDF Mountain division defeated Bombo side Land forces general HQs (JSHQ BDE) and became the winners of the 2024 CDF CUP for the first time in the tournament history. 

Lt General Charles Otema COS LF award coach Kayanja John a gold medal for winning the 2024 CDF CUP finals in Fortpotal.

This marked coach Kayanja John as one of the most successful military coach in UPDF football history. This success means lot to him as he is due to retire from active military service this year after serving the mighty army for over 40years We should not forget that he is one of the very few remaining "Kadogos"  ( young soldiers ) who joined the 80's bush war which brought president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni into power. 

COACH KAYANJA JOHN MILITARY & FOOTBALL JOURNEY 

Coach Kayanja John joined NRA in 1984 at a tender age of 13years in Bulemezi under the 7th Battalion commanded by 

afande Matayo Kyaligonza. He then joined ordinance in Magamaga  and later realized his football journey in Moroto with  83 Battalion under the command of Capt pade Muhairwe  they won the inter battalion tournament and he was called to represent his 319 Brigade under afande Bell in the inter Brigade tournament which they also won and went on to represent his 6th Division which is today know as 3rd infantry division under the command of Afande lumumba in the Commanders cup of 1989 which was won by LF general HQs Bombo. 

     Early  90s Military Police football club 

Due to his good performance he was among the few soldiers who were selected to join Resistance FC in Jinja, later joined, Military police FC and after Joined Simba FC.

As a player coach Kayanja John went through a number of coaches including 

Coach Lukalu in Jinja, coach David Oti, coach  Banabus, Coach Basena Moses, coach Sam Timbe , coach Sam Simbwa, coach Mike Mutebi, coach Paul Sali and many more. 

Coach Kayanja second from the left during his playing time at Simba FC.

Kayanja John's Coaching career

He trained clubs like Jaguar FC, OXFORD SS FC, Bright stars FC, U17 UPDF FC, Young Simba FC, Simba FC , Saints FC, UPDF FC, NTE FC , Kawempe Originals  EX-international FC and now UPDF Mountain Division FC, 

Coach Kayanja John and team captain Douglas Kisembo holding the 2024 CDF CUP Football championship trophy.

Coaching Achievements

Super min league semi finalists with Jaguar FC of Kawempe as head coach

Oxford SS FC Kawempe zonal & UMEA champions 2007/2008 as head coach 

2010/2011 Kakungulu cup (Uganda Cup ) champions with Simba FC as Assistant coach with late Coach Kajoba Fred as head coach this was the second time for the army side to with the prestigious trophy after their first victory in 1977.

Nte Clan FC team that won the Bika bya Buganda 2016.

Nte Clan defeated Balangira 5-4 on penalties to win the 2016 Bika Bya Baganda football tourney at the Ntenjeru play ground in Bugerere Ssaza.

Two time Bika bya Baganda champion with Nte Clan as head coach in 2010 and 2016.

Kawempe Original  EX-international FC champions of the Ex-International tournament as head coach.

Silver medals at the East African military games in Burundi 2017 as head coach of UPDF FC

2024 CDF CUP champion with UPDF Mountain Division 

Coach Kayanja with the UPDF FC silver wear at the 2017 East African military game in Burundi.

 

Guided  Brights FC from 4th division, until their qualification to the FUFA premier League in season 2012 / 2013 after defeating Wandegeya FC by 1-0. 

Bright Stars players  after goal scorer Akram Kakembo (third from the top)  found the net in the 43rd minute of the match against Wandegeya 2012/2013. ©PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA Daily monitor news.

Bright Star FC 2012/2013 winning Squad 

Livingstone Mbabazi the current head coach of Mbarara FC was on the opposite side as Coach/player for Wandegeya FC. He started this game as coach on the bench but pressure piled for him and his Wandegeya Fc. He later put the jersey and got playing time before he got substituted again unfortunately his side lost by 1-0 to Bright Stars FC.

from left coach Kiwanuka, Mr Ahmed Hussein, coach Kayanja & coach Mbabazi 

After Bright Star FC qualification to the FUfA premier League in the season 2012/2013 coach Kayanja could not manage training two clubs in the same league since he was an assistant coach at Simba FC and a serving military office he therefore seconded coach Mbabazi to take over from him at Bright Stars FC. 

He attributed his success at Bright stars FC to the 2012 / 2013 to his former assistant coach Anthony Bongole, club executive which included club chairman  Ronnie Mutebi, manager  Mubarak, Mr Ahmed Hussein the current FUFA head of communication, Mr Kafeero, 2013 team Captain Muwanga Benard who is current  team captain for UPDF FC today.

 

  As Assistant coach he as worked under the following coaches.

Coach Basena Moses , late Coach Kajoba Fred, Coach Molly Byekwaso, coach Bogere

Coach Kayanja attributed his success at Simba fC and UPDF FC  to his former  directors of Sports that's Brig general Muwanguzi, Retired Lt Col Lukyamuzi, Col JM Ssemmanda. 

Former Simba FC Chairman Retired Brig General Hussein Ada, Former Simba FC Vice chairman  Maj Tom Lwanga,v 

Former coaching staff at Bombo like coach Sebagala, manager Nkugwa and players and funs. 

CAF instructor Mujibu Kasule at Njeru conducting a coaching course.

Thanked his FUFA Football instructors Mr Mujibu  Kasule, Mr Lubowa , Mr Nyima and many more. 

Doctor Kintu Edmund the current president of Tug of war sport and a seasoned sports medics and sports administrator who has always been a friend who always guides his professional direction and provides mental support. 

some of coach Kayanja John's medals.

Further more he thanked his family especially his  wife Mrs Proscovia Nanungi for her love, Patience and care for all the years they have been together to date, his son Dumba Paul, Daughters Maria Namugeyi , Bridget Nampijja, Jovia Namulema & Little girl Nakyanzi Davina because your his source of strength. 

To all his long time friend in Kawempe including chairman Kawempe Original FC Mr Tom Mbekeka, Mr Wumalu, Mr Yonah Tinka thank you for being true friend and may God bless tou all. 

Lastly a vote of thanks to the CDF of UPDF General Muhoozi Kainerugaba for supporting sports in the UPDF by organizing the CDF CUP thusing giving an opportunity to many young  officers and men to showcase their talents in both footballers and netballers including giving soldiers coaches a chance to show the world that they can equally perform and giude their teams to success. 

Finally thanked HE. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the commander in Chief of the Ugandan armed forced for the opportunity he as gave him to serve in uniform for 40 years thus growing his career from a player to a CAF B licensed football coach.

Story by 

Adrian Grant 

swordsportsagency@gmail.com