HOIMA CITY — Under the golden haze of a setting sun, on a patchy, dusty pitch in hoima city, a group of professionals in their 30’s lace up their boots, stretch weary muscles, and prepare to defy stereotypes.
The Hoima Elite Corporates Club with majority of the members being bankers, businessmen, and civil servants by day, footballers by evening have just clinched victory in the 3rd Mwenge Corporate Tournament in Kyenjojo, proving that age, when paired with wisdom and grit, can outmaneuver raw athleticism.
*Tactics Over Speed: How the Veterans Triumphed*
In a tense final against the younger, quicker St. Peter’s Health Clinic side, Hoima Elite relied on precision rather than pace. After a goalless stalemate, the match went to penalties, where 39 year old goalkeeper Innocent Bless Tumwesige became the hero, pulling off some crucial saves to secure a 2-1 shootout win.
“They had legs, we had resilience,” said Kabagambe Conelius, the team’s technical lead. “Our chemistry is years in the making we don’t just pass the ball, we read each other’s minds.”
*More Than a Game: Football as Therapy*
For these men, football is an antidote to the stresses of desk jobs and family responsibilities.
“This is our therapy,” said Curthbert Kigozi, the club’s chairman. “We are not chasing professional contracts. We are here for fitness, fun, and the sheer joy of the game. That’s why our motto is ‘Active Ageing.’ ”
Five evenings a week, they train at Hoima’s Duhaga Samagi Grounds, their sessions drawing curious onlookers some amused, others inspired by the sight of middle-aged men perfecting their touch.
*A Victory Beyond the Trophy*
Their triumph has resonated far beyond the pitch, sparking conversations about aging, wellness, and perseverance in Uganda’s Bunyoro and Toro regions.
“They have shown that passion doesn’t expire at 30,” said tournament organizer Nicholas Tusiime. “This isn’t just about football it’s about proving that staying active keeps you young.”
Key players like Atugonza Joshua, Muriisa David, Byron Mwesiga, and Kabagambe Conelius anchored the team through a tough group stage before their dramatic final victory. Their success has even inspired younger players to seek mentorship, bridging generational gaps through sport.
*Legacy in Motion*
As they return to their offices, the men of Hoima Elite carry more than just a trophy, they carry a message.
“We have built something bigger than football,” said founding member Kaahwa Andrew Mega. “We are passing down values,discipline, teamwork, resilience. That’s our real win.”
And as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, one truth becomes clear: in football, as in life, experience writes the most compelling stories.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
