About U-SAFE

Uganda’s Safeguarding Programme for Everyone in Rugby.

MEET OUR SAFEGUARDING TEAM

U-SAFE is led by a passionate, trained team working across Uganda to ensure rugby environments are safe, inclusive, and protective for all participants.

GODWIN KAYANGWE
GODWIN KAYANGWEPatron – U-SAFE Uganda
Godwin is the President of the Uganda Rugby Union, Vice President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, and a member of the Rugby Africa Safeguarding Committee. A strong advocate for player welfare, he has supported clubs, teams, and players across the country, leading initiatives such as the nationwide distribution of rugby balls to promote safe and inclusive participation. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to safeguarding, transparency, and responsible governance in sport. As Patron of U‑SAFE, he brings continental influence and a proven track record in advancing safety-focused development in rugby.
DOROTHY NEKESA
DOROTHY NEKESALead Safeguarding Officer – U-SAFE Uganda
Dorothy Nekesa is the Head of Age‑Grade Rugby and Safeguarding Lead at the Uganda Rugby Union. A certified child protection specialist trained by World Rugby and Rugby Africa, she oversees the implementation of safeguarding policies across all URU activities, clubs, schools, and regional programmes. Under her leadership, age‑grade development has expanded, supporting 28 youth teams nationwide while she champions safe environments through education and community outreach.
A journalist by profession, Dorothy is also a World Rugby Educator of Match Officials and an ASMC (Advanced Sports Management Course) graduate. As Patron of U‑SAFE, she brings expert knowledge, practical oversight, and a steadfast commitment to protecting young athletes in Uganda rugby.
PROSSY PEARCE
PROSSY PEARCESafeguarding Officer & Technical Outreach Lead
Prossy Pearce Nakakande brings a rare combination of technical acumen, safeguarding expertise, and elite rugby experience to the U‑SAFE team. A qualified industrial engineer and occupational safety specialist, she has played a pivotal role in advancing safeguarding standards across Ugandan rugby. As a former national team backline player, she represented Uganda at the 2009 Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens and was named MVP at the Black Panthers 7s tournament. Currently serving as the Women’s Representative on the Uganda Rugby Union Executive Committee, she also works as an Impact Champion with Rugby Africa’s “Her Strength, Her Impact, Our Dream” campaign, leading training, outreach, and case coordination with a focus on protecting young athletes. Prossy’s deep understanding of both the technical and human aspects of safety makes her an invaluable asset to the U‑SAFE initiative.
NORAH NYANGOMA
NORAH NYANGOMASafeguarding Officer – Education & Awareness
Nyangoma Norah Traton is the Club Chairlady and Head Coach of the Tooro Lions Rugby Club in Fort Portal, and a recent graduate of the prestigious Gallagher High Performance Academy. Introduced to rugby in 2014 through Tag Rugby Trust, she founded Tooro Lions in 2020 and, by 2023, led them to Western Region titles in both Sevens and 15-a-side competitions . A dedicated grassroots pioneer, Norah has driven youth engagement in schools and communities throughout the Tooro region. As “Madam Rugby”, she is deeply committed to empowering women and girls in the sport, championing diversity, inclusion and high-performance coaching across Uganda
EUNICE OLEMBO
EUNICE OLEMBOSafeguarding Officer – Stakeholder Coordination & Venue Monitoring
Eunice Olembo is a legal and sports governance professional, currently serving as a member of the Executive Committee of the Uganda Rugby Union. A former Director at Kenya’s Mwamba Rugby Football Club, she has long been recognised for her dedication to athlete welfare and community rugby development. As a legal practitioner, Eunice brings a strong commitment to social justice, public service, and pro bono legal work, skills that add depth and rigour to U‑SAFE’s safeguarding efforts. Her considerable legal and strategic acumen is complemented by a deep understanding of sports administration, having completed both the SAC (Sports Administration Course) and ASMC (Advanced Sports Management Course). Eunice’s presence on the U‑SAFE team reinforces our mission to uphold integrity, protection, and fair practice across all levels of the game.
RONNIE KYAZZE
RONNIE KYAZZESafeguarding Officer – Case Management & Response
Ronnie Kyazze serves as Chairman of the Land Rover Uganda Club, a strategic partner of the Uganda Rugby Union and is an integral member of the URU Age‑Grade Rugby team. Under his stewardship, the Club has championed grassroots rugby development, including the comprehensive 2024 national distribution of rugby balls to clubs, schools, and age‑grade centres across Uganda’s diverse regions. Bringing “a strong technical edge to his roles within rugby, contributing to the game’s organisation, integrity, and growth.

Ronnie combines extensive tournament administration expertise with meticulous attention to operational excellence. A certified practitioner in “Effective Safeguarding” from the Open University and a qualified IT professional, he provides crucial oversight in safeguarding intelligence and systems coordination for URU. His multifaceted approach spanning strategic leadership, technical proficiency in competition management, and robust safeguarding frameworks positions him as a cornerstone figure in advancing U‑SAFE’s mission to enhance safety and integrity throughout Ugandan rugby.

DR. JUDE RWAKAYANGA
DR. JUDE RWAKAYANGASafeguarding Officer – Child & Vulnerable Person Liaison
Jude Rwakayanga, a dedicated Dentist and seasoned hooker, brings both professional precision and athletic grit to the Age Grade Rugby Team and U-SAFE. As captain of the Makerere Rams, he led from the front scoring tries in critical league matches and guiding his squad to finals. He successfully coached the Rams academy and women’s sides, evidencing his leadership on and off the field.

His resilience shines through: after a life‑threatening head injury in March 2023 that required surgery and six months’ recovery, he not only returned to play recreationally but also shifted into coaching, underscoring his commitment to player welfare and safeguarding protocols.

His dual expertise in dentistry and rugby equips him uniquely to address health, safety, and developmental needs for young athletes. In every sense, Jude exemplifies the ethos of U‑SAFE, combining clinical care, rugby passion, and leadership to foster a safer, stronger team environment.

RACHEAL KAMPIRE
RACHEAL KAMPIRESafeguarding Officer – Case Management & Response
Racheal Kampire is a highly accomplished rugby administrator, safeguarding advocate, and tournament director renowned for her leadership of the Uganda National 7s Series one of the country’s premier rugby events. With a steadfast commitment to safety, integrity, and inclusive participation, she ensures the highest standards of event operations, from meticulous planning to compliance with World Rugby protocols.

As a Certified World Rugby Match Commissioner, Racheal combines technical expertise in officiating and match-day management with a deep dedication to player welfare and safeguarding. Her hands-on oversight of tournaments prioritizes accountability, risk mitigation, and equitable environments, fostering a culture of protection at all levels of Ugandan rugby.

Beyond the pitch, Racheal is a strategic leader with over 9 years of experience in Computer networking and project management . She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Computing, an MBA in Project Management and is completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Monitoring & Evaluation, equipping her with advanced skills in operational efficiency and performance analysis. Her additional qualifications including an Advanced Certificate in Sports Management underscore her ability to harmonize organisational excellence with athlete-centered values.

BEVERLEY ABBOTT
BEVERLEY ABBOTTGlobal Safeguarding & Wellness Advisor
Beverley Anne Abbott, is a seasoned regulatory professional with a background in biotechnology/vaccines and public health initiatives.
Additionally she is a certified in grief counselling and mental health support, offering compassionate guidance and care to individuals experiencing distress.
Bev’s diverse professional and personal skills and hands on availability makes her an invaluable pillar of the U-SAFE team, always ready to guide and support those in need.
PATRICIA NAZZIWA
PATRICIA NAZZIWASafeguarding Officer – Education & Awareness (Lead for Training & Safeguarding Culture)
Patricia Nazziwa Suzan is a professional psychologist who provides mental health and counseling support within the U-SAFE team. She brings expertise in trauma care, cultural sensitivity, and inclusive community engagement, ensuring safeguarding efforts are both locally grounded and respectful of diverse experiences.
KAJET FATIMA
KAJET FATIMASafeguarding Volunteers Administration
Kajet Fatima is an experienced Sports Administrator with the Federation of Africa University Sports, where she champions integrity, athlete welfare, and inclusive sports environments across the continent. With her strong grounding in sports governance and policy, Kajet brings a strategic perspective to the U-SAFE Safeguarding Team. She plays a key role in aligning safeguarding practices with institutional standards and advocating for athlete protection at both grassroots and elite levels. Her leadership reinforces our mission to embed safety, dignity, and accountability into every aspect of rugby.

Our Safeguarding Commitment

Safeguarding in rugby goes beyond policies. It’s about absolute protection on and off the pitch. U-SAFE works directly with clubs, schools, and unions to build environments where children and vulnerable adults are safe, heard, and supported.

We believe prevention is the best protection. Our programs educate, empower, and intervene when needed, ensuring Uganda’s rugby community sets the highest standards in safeguarding.

  • U-SAFE-trained Safeguarding Focal Persons in every club

  • Anonymous and confidential reporting system.

  • Direct referrals to support services and child protection units.

Our Safeguarding Principles

Internationally recognised safeguarding standards guide U-SAFE. We are committed to transparency, survivor-centered responses, and building a positive safeguarding culture in all rugby environments.

To protect every player and participant in rugby from harm.

To act early, listen deeply, and respond effectively.

Every report is taken seriously, every person treated with respect.

Voices from the Rugby Community

Safeguarding gave me the confidence to report. I was heard and protected. Thanks to U-SAFE, our club created a safer space for young girls.
The training helped me understand how to prevent abuse before it happens.

Before U-SAFE, I wasn’t sure how to respond when a young player reported harassment. Now, I have the tools, the confidence, and the backing of a clear policy. The training was a game-changer for our club.

SARAH ATIM

The Safeguarding training opened my eyes to the subtle ways players can be made to feel unsafe, even unintentionally. We now create safer spaces at practice, and I know what to do if a child needs help.

DANIEL MUKIIBI

As a mother, it gives me peace of mind knowing that rugby now has a clear system for protecting children. I reported something I saw, and the response was professional, fast, and child-centered.

GLORIA NAMUSOKE

Submit a Safeguarding Concern

Whether you need to report misconduct, share a worry, or ask for help, our team is here for you.
Every report is confidential and handled according to Uganda Rugby Union’s safeguarding policy.

OUR PARTNERS
Working together to make rugby safer and stronger