The Ugandan sports fraternity has lost a true icon. On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, legendary footballer and handball maestro Ibrahim Kizito, affectionately known as “Mulema” or “Kizota,” succumbed to complications related to diabetes and high blood pressure. He was laid to rest this Wednesday afternoon at his ancestral home in Kikunyu-Buyega, near Kabasanda on Butambala Road, in a ceremony filled with deep emotion and profound respect.
Kizito’s legacy is carved in both football and handball history. A rare dual-sport talent, he excelled for both national teams during his prime , a feat few have matched. From humble beginnings at Katwe Noor Primary School and Sharing Youth Center in Nsambya, he displayed outstanding versatility across various disciplines before fully dedicating himself to football and handball. His rise was defined by resilience, talent, and an innate sports instinct that quickly caught national attention.
On the football pitch, Kizito began his career in the lower leagues with Nsambya Central, Kansanga Half London, and Police FC before earning a move to Spear Motors FC in 1989. His athletic prowess was mirrored on the handball court, where he starred alongside names like Ibrahim Kongo and Patrick Tabale. By 1990, he had earned a spot on the U-19 football team and later represented Uganda at the 1991 All Africa Games with the U-23s.
Kizito’s topflight career saw remarkable success. At KCCA FC in 1992, he stepped in to fill the boots of legends Issa Ssekatawa and Jackson Mayanja, leading a new-look forward line to Uganda Cup victory in 1993, where he famously scored in the final. A year later, his move to UEB FC birthed one of the most feared attacking trios of the era, as he partnered with Charles Ogwang and David Kiwanuka to devastating effect. His 20-goal haul in the 1995 season earned him the golden boot, a testament to his killer instinct and consistency.
Beyond the statistics, Kizito’s passion, humility, and sportsmanship left a lasting imprint. To many, he was more than just a player , he was a mentor, a community pillar, and a symbol of what talent nurtured with discipline can achieve. As Uganda bids farewell to one of its finest, his story will continue to inspire generations. Ibrahim “Mulema” Kizito may have departed, but his spirit lives on in every young athlete daring to dream.
