Kawempe Muslim Ladies have been crowned CECAFA champions after edging Kenya Police Bullets 1-0 in a hard-fought final of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Ugandan champions secured the regional title at Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday evening, with Agnes Nabukenya scoring the decisive goal deep into added time.
After dominating much of the game but failing to convert several chances, Kawempe Muslim finally found the breakthrough in the 100th minute. Nabukenya reacted quickly inside the box to finish from close range and put the Ugandan side ahead.
Kenya Police Bullets, who finished runners-up in the competition in 2024, pushed for an equaliser in the closing moments in an attempt to force the game into a penalty shootout, but Kawempe Muslim held firm to secure the victory.
The triumph caps an impressive campaign for Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi’s side, who won all four of their matches without conceding a goal.
Kawempe Muslim began the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Commercial Bank of Ethiopia before thrashing Djibouti’s FC Ujeco 8-0. They then defeated CBE 3-0 in the semi-finals to book their place in the final.
Nabukenya, who captained the side and scored the winning goal, praised her teammates for their determination throughout the tournament.
The victory means Kawempe Muslim Ladies will represent the CECAFA region at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League finals. CAF is yet to announce the host country for the continental tournament.
Kawempe Muslim become the latest CECAFA representatives at the finals, following Vihiga Queens of Kenya in 2021, Simba Queens and JKT Queens of Tanzania in 2022 and 2023 respectively, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in 2024, and JKT Queens again in 2025.
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