Nasiimu Mutesi: The multi-talented She Cranes princess who shone on & off the court at CHAN 2024

When Uganda hosted the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, thousands of football fans, players, and officials celebrated the success of a well organized tournament.

Among the unsung heroines who contributed to this success was Nasiimu Mutesi, a professional mult-talented Ugandan sportsperson and the FISU Student Ambassador 2024/2025.

Known for her versatility across three disciplines like netball, handball, and basketball, Mutesi is not only a national athlete but also a young leader with a growing passion for sports administration.

Currently, she serves as the captain of the Victoria University netball and handball teams, assistant captain of NIC Netball Club, a player for the She Cranes (Uganda’s national netball team), and also represents Uganda in the national women’s handball team.

Despite her busy schedule as a top level athlete, she stepped forward to volunteer at CHAN 2024, showing once again that her love for sports goes far beyond personal competition.

Speaking about her decision, Mutesi said her inspiration came from a deep passion for sports and a desire to give back. “I was inspired by my passion for sports and the desire to contribute to the growth of football and sports in Uganda. Being an active athlete myself, I have always valued the role volunteers play in making sporting events successful. CHAN 2024 was a unique opportunity to be part of an international competition hosted in my country, and I wanted to gain experience beyond the court while supporting athletes and organizers,” she elucidated.

For Mutesi, volunteering at CHAN was not just about lending a hand. It was about stepping into a new dimension of sports.

She expected to gain exposure to the management of international tournaments, interact with diverse people in the sports world, and learn lessons that would shape her ambitions in sports administration.

 “My expectations were to gain exposure to how international football tournaments are managed, to interact with different people in the sports world, and to learn new skills that can shape me for a future career in sports administration,” she shared.

While she went in with expectations, what she experienced surpassed them. Her most memorable moment was the unity and energy that filled the Mandela National Stadium during the games.

“The most memorable part was the atmosphere of unity seeing thousands of fans, teams, and officials come together with so much energy and passion for the game. Unlike on the netball, basketball, or handball court where I’m actively competing, volunteering at CHAN put me in a different role supporting others, working behind the scenes and focusing on service rather than personal performance,” she said.

This perspective gave her a new appreciation of what it takes to deliver successful sporting events.

Mutesi believes her time at CHAN 2024 offered lessons that will stay with her throughout her career.

I’ve learnt the importance of teamwork, communication, and adaptability when working in large scale events. Volunteering at CHAN taught me that every role, no matter how small, contributes to the success of the tournament. I also realized the value of patience, discipline, and professionalism, which I can carry with me both in my athletic career and future sports administration journey.

Nasiimu Mutesi

Her reflections underline the dual identity she now embodies both as an elite athlete and as a budding sports administrator.

For a country like Uganda, where sports is becoming an important avenue of talent development and international recognition, Mutesi represents a new generation of athletes who see beyond personal accolades and embrace the bigger picture.

From commanding the netball court with the She Cranes, to organizing teammates in handball, and now volunteering to support African football, her journey paints a picture of dedication, versatility, and leadership.

Her story is proof that sportspeople can play multiple roles in shaping the future of sports on the field and behind the scenes.

As Uganda looks ahead to hosting more international events, including AFCON 2027, the contributions of young leaders like Mutesi will be vital.

Her experience at CHAN 2024 shows that when passion meets opportunity, the impact goes far beyond the scoreboard.

*Additional information by Hamza Africana Nsereko