The history of Kho Kho in Uganda traces back to 2020, when a team of five Ugandans travelled to New Delhi, India, to take part in an international Kho Kho coaching and development course. They went on invitation from the Khokho Federation of India.
The five pioneers
- Nsubuga Mustapha, team leader
- Ephraim Makubuya
- Oroma Sharon
- Lumala Reagan
- Nnakacwa Ramla
The training exposed them to the technical, tactical and organisational sides of one of India's oldest indigenous sports. They came home with a shared vision of making Kho Kho a recognised sport in Uganda. The COVID-19 pandemic and low awareness made the start hard, so the pioneers began with grassroots sensitisation and mobilisation in schools, communities and among sports stakeholders.
Butambala, November 2021
The first Kho Kho coaching course in Uganda was held in Butambala in November 2021. It drew teachers, sports administrators and community sports leaders, who learned the rules, coaching methods, officiating procedures and player development. This was the beginning of organised Kho Kho in Uganda.
2022: towards a national federation
The Butambala course sparked interest, and through 2022 the pioneers pushed on with demonstration events, school outreach, coaching clinics and talks with district sports associations. They saw that lasting growth needed a governing body, so consultations on a national federation began in 2022, with stakeholders from many regions helping to shape a vision, a constitution and a strategic framework. One of the first courses of that year took place in Kiryandongo District.
Soroti, 2024: the first organised tournament
Coaches, referees and players were trained, mostly in schools, where the simple, low-cost game suits many young people. In 2024 the sport held its first organised tournament, in Soroti District. Read about the Soroti tournament.
New Delhi again, January 2025
Uganda's women's national team took part in the first Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi and won bronze. Read the World Cup story.
Key milestones
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Five Ugandans attend an international Kho Kho coaching course in New Delhi. |
| 2020 to 2021 | Sensitisation and planning to introduce Kho Kho in Uganda. |
| November 2021 | First national Kho Kho coaching course, in Butambala District. |
| 2022 | Formal efforts begin to set up a national governing federation. |
| 2024 | First organised tournament, in Soroti District. |
| January 2025 | Uganda's women win bronze at the first Kho Kho World Cup, New Delhi. |
| Today | Continued work towards federation registration, national structures and international participation. |
The journey to full recognition as a national federation is still under way, driven by the pioneers and by growing interest from schools, communities and sports administrators.