On Saturday, 11th April 2026, friends, former teammates, and members of Uganda’s cricket fraternity gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Edward Bazanye Sempebwa, a man whose influence on the game continues to echo across generations.
The occasion was not one of solemn reflection alone, but of gratitude – an opportunity to honour a life lived in service to cricket, education, and community.
The celebration fittingly began on the cricket field, where a friendly match was played in his honour amongst the Bagurusi.
Colleagues and friends took to the crease not just in competition, but in tribute – each run scored, and each ball bowled carrying the spirit of a man who had given so much to the game.
The atmosphere was light, filled with laughter and shared memories, reflecting the very character of Sempebwa himself.
For many present, the match symbolised a deeper story – one of resilience.
Sempebwa belonged to a generation that held Ugandan cricket together following the Expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972, a period that left the sport in a fragile state.
Through commitment and passion, he and his peers ensured cricket survived and gradually found its footing again.
Sempebwa’s cricket journey traces back to the 1960s at King’s College Budo, where he developed into a technically sound left-hand opening batter.
His playing years spanned a defining era for Ugandan cricket – from its structured growth in the late 1960s to the disruption of the early 1970s.
In the years that followed, particularly through the mid-1970s and into the 1980s, he was among a committed group of players who worked tirelessly to revive the game, both in schools and within club cricket.
Among those who paid tribute was Sam Walusimbi, whose reflections captured both the cricketer and the man.
He recalled their early days at Uganda Computer Services, plus the struggles they shared in rebuilding the sport and the central role Sempebwa played in that journey.
He’s one of those with whom we struggled, and we were with him all along to try and revive the game of cricket, try and spread the game of cricket in schools and so on, so forth. He was our left-hand opening batter. I have yet to see a better opening batter for Uganda, until even up to now, I don’t think I have seen anyone.
Walusimbi’s tribute painted a vivid picture of Sempebwa’s quality at the crease, recalling matches such as one against Ghana in Jinja.
Yet it was Sempebwa himself, in a lengthy and reflective speech, who brought the richest sense of history to the occasion.
He took those in attendance back to his earliest memories, speaking of growing up in Uganda in the 1950s and 1960s within a vibrant, mixed school environment where sport played a central role.
Cricket, athletics, and football all shaped his early years, alongside strong influences from discipline, mentorship, and religious practice.
He fondly recalled the unique cricketing relationship between King’s College Budo and Busoga College Mwiri, describing how young players were inspired by watching older students compete.
These encounters, he noted, helped build both character and a lifelong love for the game.
Among his most vivid memories was a moment from 1961, when he witnessed what he described as his biggest six – sending the ball soaring over the Shell Petrol Station in Lugogo.
It was a story that drew laughter and admiration from the audience, capturing both the joy and folklore of cricket in that era.
Sempebwa also reflected on what he considered his finest playing years, from 1972 to 1976.
These were not just years of personal form, but of collective effort, as local teams and cricketing families came together to sustain the sport during challenging times.
His recollections reinforced the sense that cricket in Uganda has always been built on community as much as competition.
While his talent on the field was undeniable, his career also reflected the realities of the time.
By the late 1970s, as professional commitments grew, his appearances became less frequent, though his influence within the game never diminished.
His involvement with club cricket, particularly with Africa Cricket Club and Wanderers, remained part of the fabric of Uganda’s cricketing revival.
Yet beyond performances and timelines, it was Sempebwa’s personality that left the deepest impression.
Walusimbi highlighted his humour and humanity – qualities that made him not just a teammate, but a cornerstone of the cricketing community.
Now, those who don’t know Mr Sempebwa may not know what a very nice man he is. He cracks a lot of jokes, and he’s one of those with whom we depended, really, to keep this game going.
The gathering ultimately became more than just a tribute – it was a reaffirmation of legacy.
Through stories and shared remembrance, those present honoured a man who had quietly but profoundly shaped Ugandan cricket during some of its most defining decades.
As the sun set on the memorable Saturday, one sentiment stood above all: Edward Bazanye Sempebwa’s legacy is not confined to the past.
It lives on – in every young cricketer, like Cricket Cranes duo Simon Ssesazi and Ronald Lutaaya, whom he revered as the ultimate future of Ugandan Cricket.
Timeline: Edward Bazanye Sempebwa (1960s–1980s)
1960s
• Begins cricket journey at King’s College Budo
• Develops into a technically sound left-hand opening batter
1961
• Hits a memorable six over the Shell Petrol Station in Lugogo
Late 1960s – Early 1970s
• Plays during a structured era of Ugandan cricket
1972
• Continues playing through the disruption caused by the Expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972
1972–1976
• Peak playing years; actively involved in sustaining and reviving cricket
• Engages in school and club cricket development
Late 1970s – 1980s
• Balances professional career with cricket while remaining influential