Masindi’s rise as a cricket hub is a story that didn’t begin with fanfare, money, or established structures. It began quietly in 2005, on dusty school fields, with ten primary schools tossing a softball to curious pupils who had never imagined themselves holding a cricket bat. Family Spirit, Masindi Junior, Town Model, Masindi Army, St. Edward, Rwigire, Nyamisa, Masindi Primary, Asaba, and Kabalega Primary School formed the foundation of an experiment that would slowly grow into one of the most promising grassroots cricket movements in Uganda.
For years, these ten schools anchored every softball event in the district. Four of them; Masindi Junior, Masindi Army, St. Edward, and Kabalega became the district’s most consistent performers, frequently earning places in national-level competitions in Luwero. What seemed like small victories at the time would later prove to be the early heartbeat of a cricket culture taking shape in a region better known for agriculture than sport.
The real turning point arrived much later with the introduction of hardball cricket in 2023. It came at a moment when the enthusiasm was already simmering, and all it needed was a spark. That spark arrived in the form of coach Patrick Busingye. Having previously worked with the Northern Cricket Hub in Gulu, he relocated to Masindi with a clear mission: to build a competitive hardball cricket program from the ground up. His influence was immediate. He began with just four schools; St. Eliza Girls School, Kabalega SS, Masindi SS, and Masindi Army SS yet the shift in intensity, ambition, and discipline was visible almost instantly.
Under his guidance, Masindi’s schools stepped confidently onto the national stage. Masindi SS’s girls’ team reached the School Cricket Week tournaments in Soroti and Gulu, finishing sixth in 2024 and improving to fourth in 2025. Their steady rise reflected a growing belief in what was possible. The boys were no different. In 2025, Masindi SS made its debut at the national boys’ tournament in Fort Portal and stunned many by finishing third. For a team making its first appearance, it was more than an achievement, it was a statement.
By 2025, the hardball program had expanded to six schools, adding St. Dominic Savio and Victory High School to the roster. With every new school that joined, the district’s cricket ecosystem grew stronger, more competitive, and more sustainable.
The progress hasn’t been limited to schools alone. Masindi is now producing players capable of stepping into larger competitions. Four girls; Ninsima Peace, Nyangoma Mariam, Kayesu Mariam, and Abecier Gloria featured in the Lyca Women’s Tournament at Lugogo this past September. Among the boys, Nsiimire Ivan and Elungant Razaraz earned places with Nile Cricket Club, while Kato William played for Budo Cricket Club. Their presence in club-level cricket shows that the district is no longer just participating in cricket, it is contributing to the national talent pool.
Such success has been supported by partnerships with Cricket Uganda, Cricket Without Boundaries, and the MCC, whose investment in equipment, training, and development has made many of these milestones possible. The district now even runs its own weekend hardball league for both boys and girls, played across three grounds: Masindi Stadium, Nyangaya Community Ground, and Kabalega Primary School Ground. With regular matches, coaching sessions, and growing community interest, cricket has become part of the district’s rhythm.
Coach Patrick speaks of the journey with unmistakable emotion. He often says he left his profession to fully commit to building this project, determined to create a structure that would outlive him. His dedication is mirrored by fellow coaches Watono Antony, Assimwe David, Basima Blair, and Barungi Remmengo whose consistency has helped shape this new generation of players.
Masindi’s cricket story is still unfolding, but its trajectory is undeniable. From ten softball-playing schools to a thriving hardball program producing national-level talent, the district has become a symbol of what passion, patience, and community can build. The bats are swinging harder now, the dreams are bigger, and Masindi is no longer on the sidelines of Ugandan cricket, t is stepping firmly into the spotlight.