How old boys are using football to rebuild St Leo’s Kyegobe

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There was a time when St Leo’s College, Kyegobe, was not just a school; it was a force. On the hills of Fort Portal, it carried a reputation that stretched across Uganda. Discipline, pride and talent defined it.

In 1997, that identity reached its peak when the school won the Coca-Cola Post Primary Championship, beating Kibuli Secondary School 2–0. For those who were there, that moment still feels alive. The school was established in 1921 by the White Fathers, who were then doing missionary work.

Years have passed, and much has changed. Performance declined, and the football spirit that once brought everyone together began to fade. The connection among former students grew weaker. Slowly, the school that had once stood tall started losing its shine.

Now the story is beginning to turn. A group of former students has come together with a simple but powerful idea: to use football to bring people back and, through that, rebuild the school. Leading this effort is league president Gabriel Gafabusa, who says the vision goes far beyond the game itself.

“This league is not just about football; we saw our school struggling, but we also saw our people drifting apart. At the same time, many people are dealing with stress, pressure, and even depression. So, we thought, why not create something that brings us together again?” he says.

Adding that, “Something that improves our health, strengthens our relationships, and rebuilds that sense of belonging. We are trying to grow a culture where we look out for each other, where no one feels left out, and where everyone feels part of something again.”

For many of the old boys, stepping onto the pitch again feels like stepping back in time and into the classroom. They still recall their nicknames and how they came about.

When they meet, it is like secondary school students at break time, eating and playing together. They share memories of classmates, from those once caught cheating in exams to those known for being shabby or exceptionally neat. They all come together to reminisce, with old stories feeling as fresh as ever. Some attend with their grandchildren, reflecting a strong sense of school pride.

“Kyegobe can not die when we are still alive. It’s our role to bring it back,” a group of former students who completed S.6 in 1996 says.

Most of them are government civil servants, while others are self-employed.

Michael Muhumuza is now a health inspector in Fort Portal city. He completed his A'levels in 2003, but the memories of Kyegobe at its peak have never left him.

“In our days, SLECK was really SLECK,” he says with a smile and confidence.

“There was pride in being part of that school. Football was a big part of it; we played with passion, and it brought us so much happiness. Now it’s been 26 years, but this league has brought that feeling back. You meet people you haven’t seen in decades, and even the younger ones join in," Muhumuza says.

"When we are on that field, age doesn’t matter. Football makes us understand each other. It has also made us realise that we need to take responsibility for our school again to rebuild it, support it, and be part of its future,” he adds.

SLECK is an acronym derived from St. Leo's College, Kyegobe.

Ronald Kalyegera, a businessman who studied at the school between 1996 and 1999, remembers just how strong the team was at the time.

“The talent we had at that time was something else. Winning that trophy against Kibuli is a memory I will never forget. What makes this league special now is the chance to reconnect. You meet people you last saw as teenagers, and at the same time, you connect with the younger generation. Of course, the level of football talent at the school today is not what it used to be, but this is how we start building it again,” he says.

Kalyegera was part of the team that beat Kibuli 2-0 in the 1997 Coca-Cola Post Primary Championship.

Michael Rubaire, a committee member of the league, says the initiative is about action, not just memories.

“We started this because we could see the school had declined. It needed a push. This league helps us find each other again, everyone who has ever passed through Kyegobe,” he says.

“And when we come together, we can do something real. We contribute money, we support students through scholarships, and we also help each other professionally. Some of us are businessmen, and these connections matter. But most importantly, we are rebuilding our school step by step,” he adds.

He says the football league will gradually grow into something much bigger, a space where generations meet and friendships are rebuilt around a shared identity.