The historic Lugogo Cricket Oval has witnessed countless milestones in Ugandan sports history, but this past Saturday, it hosted an especially poignant chapter.
In a heartwarming and prestigious ceremony, the local cricket fraternity and Kisementi Jazz came together to officially honour and celebrate Owek. Dr Rajni Tailor – a true legend of Uganda Cricket.
The special occasion honoured Dr Tailor’s staggering 61 years of continuous, multi-purpose service to the Ugandan community and his monumental contributions to sports administration.
Stepping Up in Challenging Times
Taking to the podium, Dr Tailor delivered a powerful, nostalgic, and inspiring speech that transported the audience back to the foundational eras of Ugandan sports infrastructure.
Reflecting on his journey, which began in the community in 1965, he recalled returning to Kampala in 1980 during one of the most difficult periods in the nation’s history.
“When I came back in ’80, we looked at this ground, and we looked at so many other things, and we said, ‘Where are we?'” Dr Tailor recalled. “During the 80s, 3:00 PM was a curfew. The soda was not there, water was the issue, electricity was the issue, and Kampala was full of potholes. So the history started from there.”
Faced with these immense hurdles, Dr Tailor teamed up with iconic figures – including the late Kafumbe Mukasa, the late Abbey Lutaaya, and the late John Nagenda – to revive the sporting and cultural fabric of the city.
“Myself, late Kafumbe Mukasa, late Abbey Lutaaya, we said… ‘Why don’t we do something?’ And I said there is no issue. Uganda Motor Club was born at that time; we revived Uganda Cricket Association; we revived the Indian Association; the Indian Women was revived, and so many… I think more than 100 associations where I’ve been a trustee.”
Through his company, Priamit Enterprises, co-founded with his late partner and cricket legend Kishor Pabari, he also stepped up to import essential cricket gear and rally tyres when equipment shortages threatened to paralyse local sports.
A Legacy of Financial Integrity and Stewardship
While Dr Tailor humorously admitted that his personal sporting background was actually rooted in volleyball rather than cricket, his heart belongs entirely to sports administration.
A cornerstone of his celebrated legacy was his impactful tenure as the Treasurer for Cricket Uganda. He recounted the meticulous financial discipline of his era, proudly noting:
“I was the treasurer for the Uganda Cricket Association. When I left UCA as a treasurer, there were 140,000 shillings when the dollar was 14. I was also the treasurer of FUFA under the late Ssebaana Kizito. I never played any game except volleyball, but the sport is in my heart. It continues, and it will continue.”
His stellar financial acumen and integrity soon caught the attention of the government, leading to high-profile appointments across Ugandan sports, including serving as the Chairman of the Finance Committee for the National Council of Sports (NCS) and the Chairman of the Finance Committee for Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), where he had the distinct honour of meeting Nelson Mandela twice.
Guarding the Heritage of Lugogo and Expanding to Schools
Beyond his past administrative feats, Dr Tailor used his address to deliver an impassioned call to action regarding the preservation of sports heritage.
Pointing to the very grounds of the Lugogo complex, he reminded the fraternity that the Uganda Sports Union was built by the nation’s forefathers back in 1956.
“Uganda Sports Union, where we stand this evening, belongs to us, and I assure you that it will be with us,” Dr Tailor declared firmly. “We pray to the Almighty that we will remain on this ground, we will continue, and all our associations that are based here will also continue… The legacy is not going to die.”
Looking ahead, Dr Tailor emphasised that cricket needs to be reintroduced to up-country schools so that the game continues to grow, rather than remaining isolated.
He also appealed to corporate bodies to step forward and support the game: “I appeal to the corporate bodies to come and help us in sponsoring this game… to see that the game continues and it remains alive.”
A Generational Duty to Restore the Glory
The ceremony also featured deeply moving reflections from the next generation.
His son, Rishi Tailor, spoke with immense pride about his father’s deep-rooted connection to the country:
“We’ve been in Uganda for a very long time, almost fourth generation being my children… My father decided to drop his parents back to London and come back to Uganda. When he went back, he was asked by his parents, ‘What do you want to do?’ and he was forced to stay in the UK. Otherwise, he would have never left. He came back in the 80s and revived the business once again, revived all this cricket, rally, motorsport.”
Rishi recalled the vibrant, bustling atmosphere of Lugogo in the 1980s, noting, “You would have seen when cricket was being played on this ground how many millions of people enjoyed it… All of us young children used to sit around this whole place, and we would like it to be the same like it was before.”
Elly Kibuuka Mukasa, a cricketer and proud member of Kisementi Jazz, echoed these sentiments in a heartfelt tribute.
He noted that honouring Dr Rajni Tailor was an easy task because the legend’s actions speak entirely for themselves:
“When you are organising for a person like Owek. Rajni Tailor, the moment you mention the name and say we need help, it is very easy for everyone to come in because his actions speak for themselves. Everyone knows his deeds.”
Mukasa extended sincere appreciation to the partners who came together to make the honouring event a massive success, including Case Medical Care, Tents for U, Kisementi Jazz, Castle Lite (Nile Breweries), Sanjha Chulha Restaurant and Bar, and Cricket Uganda.
Celebrating a True Icon
The event concluded with Cricket Uganda presenting Owek. Dr Rajni Tailor with a well-deserved lifetime achievement honour, recognising that the modern, thriving cricket ecosystem in Uganda rests firmly on the shoulders of pioneers like him.
His 61 years of dedication serve as an enduring masterclass in sportsmanship, leadership, and visionary community building. As Dr Tailor beautifully concluded at the end of his speech:
“God bless all of you. For God and my country.”
Watch Dr Rajni Tailor’s Speech below;
Owek. Dr Rajni Tailor’s Brief Career Timeline
July 1951 – Born in Old Kampala and raised in Wobulenzi, Luwero District.
1965 – Moved to Kampala to work as a shop assistant, launching 61 years of community service.
1980 – Returned from the UK to rebuild Kampala’s sports, business, and cultural associations during severe curfews.
Revived Uganda Motor Club and served as Treasurer for both Cricket Uganda and FUFA.
Chaired the Finance Committees for the National Council of Sports and Namboole Stadium, meeting Nelson Mandela twice.
2005 – June 2013 – Served as Buganda Kingdom’s Minister of State for Planning, Economic Development, and Investment.
July 2026 – Honoured at Lugogo for his 61-year legacy of service.