Zakia Kulabako aims to promote rugby in Uganda through the Capgemini Women in Rugby Leadership Programme. As a team manager and executive committee member of the Uganda Rugby Union, she champions the sport’s development in schools. Kulabako’s experiences, coupled with insights from program alumni, equip her to foster rugby’s growth, ultimately aspiring for it to become Uganda’s national sport.
Zakia Kulabako, an advocate for rugby in Uganda, seeks to enhance the sport’s popularity through the Capgemini Women in Rugby Leadership Programme. Despite never being a player, her journey began in 2008 as a team manager for KOBs, one of Uganda’s oldest rugby clubs. Kulabako’s ambition is to establish rugby as Uganda’s national sport by increasing its visibility in schools and communities throughout the country.
As a member of the Uganda Rugby Union’s executive committee, Kulabako is striving to facilitate rugby accessibility in educational institutions. She aspires for rugby to achieve the same cultural significance in Uganda as it does in New Zealand, where community participation is evident during matches. “A football pitch can easily be transformed into a rugby pitch, so our aim is to give enough rugby balls to all these schools and eventually we will grow the numbers. It will work, I know it will,” she stated.
Kulabako faced challenges in her application process but was ultimately accepted into the Capgemini programme in 2023, feeling extremely proud to represent Uganda. She highlighted her lack of playing experience, stating, “To get a chance to be part of this scholarship against all those odds; the fact that I’ve never played the game. I just love the game.” Her connection with Regina Lunyolo, the first Ugandan participant in the programme, has been instrumental in her development.
Professionally, Kulabako works as a business, events, and asset manager, utilizing her background to attract sponsorship within rugby. The Capgemini programme has provided her access to valuable resources, including online courses that have enhanced her project and financial management skills. “Everything I learned, I’m now implementing here at work because I work with events and sports at the company that I’m in. So, it has helped me move from one level to another,” she explained.
Kulabako’s vision for Ugandan rugby includes establishing a women’s franchise league, further refined through discussions with fellow alumni from the programme. She has learned from successful rugby figures, enhancing her ability to create new playing platforms and competitions. Recent events she organized, such as a 10s tournament and a beach rugby event, emphasize this initiative.
Her ultimate goal is to ensure rugby is played year-round in Uganda, significantly increasing participation and interest in the sport. Kulabako remains optimistic about the impact of her efforts, commenting on the importance of teamwork and shared ideas within the programme. Her recent visit to Paris for the programme’s summit reinforced her commitment: “It was an amazing experience.”
Kulabako reflects on her initial attraction to rugby, highlighting the sport’s unique camaraderie and brotherhood experienced among players. “You’re literally enemies in those 80 minutes but the moment the final whistle is blown, there’s a brotherhood that shows up. That’s amazing. I love the fact that rugby’s bigger than all of us. It’s bigger than any one single person. That’s very powerful for me.”
Zakia Kulabako’s dedication to promoting rugby in Uganda is evident through her work and aspirations nurtured by the Capgemini Women in Rugby Leadership Programme. Her innovative ideas aim to establish rugby as a prominent sport within the country, emphasizing accessibility and participation. Kulabako’s unique experiences and connections underscore the potential for rugby to thrive in Uganda, fostering a community of support and growth within the sport.
Original Source: www.women.rugby
