Cricket Uganda has successfully rolled out 22 Level One Umpires, following a three-day training program designed to equip aspiring umpires with the fundamental skills required to officiate cricket matches.
The course comprised both theory and practical components, including written exams and on-field assessments. Participants were introduced to the essential principles of umpiring, focusing on match management, decision-making, and a deeper understanding of the Laws of Cricket. They also learned how to handle various match situations, including calculations in the event of weather interruptions or other disruptions.
Upon successful completion and deployment in local competitions, top-performing umpires from this group will be selected for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Level Two and Level Three courses, which will qualify them for ICC international engagements.
A notable highlight of this edition is the participation of Sharon Athoula, Cricket Uganda’s first fully dedicated female umpire, who served as one of the course facilitators.
She conducted the sessions alongside Simon Kintu, under the guidance of Umpire Manager Patrick Makumbi Musoke
Patrick noted that this is the first of two Level One umpiring courses planned for the year, with a target of training over 40 umpires.
According to Cricket Uganda, the initiative is part of a broader effort to raise the standards of umpiring in the country by providing officials with the knowledge and skills required to perform their duties with confidence and consistency.
Following the successful completion of the Kampala session, another course is scheduled to take place in Jinja next week, ensuring that umpiring development continues across all regions of Uganda.