Breaking Barriers: How Jagwe Muzafaru and Blind Football is Empowering Lives in Uganda
Football has long been a universal language, breaking down barriers and bringing people together. For marginalized communities, particularly individuals with visual impairments, access to sports has often been limited. However, Blind Football Uganda is changing that narrative in the country, offering an inclusive and empowering space where players can experience the joy of the game, build confidence, and develop essential life skills. In Uganda, where opportunities for visually impaired athletes have been scarce, Blind Football is proving to be a game-changer—creating new possibilities and a sense of belonging for those who have often been overlooked.
At the heart of this movement is Jagwe, whose dedication and passion have been instrumental in bringing Blind Football to Uganda. Through his tireless efforts, the sport has not only gained recognition but has also provided visually impaired individuals with a platform to showcase their talent, connect with their communities, and pursue opportunities that once seemed out of reach. His work is a testament to the power of football in driving social change, proving that the beautiful game truly is for everyone.
Bonito: Jagwe, you are such an inspiration, thanks so much for joining the Bonito platform today! Can you tell us a bit about your personal journey in football and how did you end up deciding that you wanted to use football to help people with visual impairment?
Jagwe: From childhood, I have been both a football player and a passionate fan. While growing up, I participated in various sports, including athletics, goalball, and board games, but I always found myself returning to football—it remained the most interesting and engaging sport for me.
During my time at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), I actively participated in sports and realized that there was little in our communities that truly connected with people with visual impairments. This insight inspired me to introduce Blind Football in Uganda, as football is a universally recognized and beloved sport that everyone talks about, supports, and relates to.
My goal was to increase playing opportunities for individuals with visual impairments, as the existing options were limited to goalball and athletics—leaving many feeling excluded. By introducing Blind Football, I aimed to broaden access to sports and create a more inclusive environment.
Beyond just a sport, I also saw Blind Football as a career and employment opportunity—both for myself and for individuals with visual impairments. Not everyone can find employment in traditional job markets, so I envisioned Blind Football as an alternative pathway to addressing the social and economic challenges faced by the visually impaired community.
Bonito: Tell us a bit about the football culture in Uganda?
Jagwe: In Uganda, Football is the most popular sport making it a vital part of our culture. In every home, people know, speak about, or plays football. In Uganda you find football everywhere- on official pitches and unofficial playgrounds and even on streets and roadsides
Bonito: Tell us the story about the origins of Blind Football Uganda- how did the organization start?
Jagwe: The idea first came to me in 2016 when I watched the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil. I was immediately drawn to Blind Football and began asking myself whether it could be introduced in Uganda. After conducting research, I realized that the sport did not yet exist in the country, which motivated me to take the first steps toward establishing it.
In 2019, after graduating from university, I began reaching out to various organizations—both locally and internationally—seeking support for equipment. However, I faced many challenges, as blind football balls were not readily available in Uganda or Africa. Despite numerous setbacks, I remained persistent.
In 2020, I contacted the International Blind Football Foundation (IBFF), an NGO based in Japan. They responded positively and provided me with 10 blind football balls and 20 unofficial eye shades, which were approved and delivered to Uganda in 2021. With this crucial support, I officially launched Blind Football in Uganda in June 2021.
I started by introducing the sport to students at Makerere University and Kyambogo University, gradually expanding to other regions, including Kamuli, Kabale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Buikwe, Jinja, Mukono, and the Nakivale Refugee Settlement Camp in Isingiro.
Over time, we have been able to organize annual events, with our flagship tournament, the Blind Football Uganda Championship, taking place every year since 2022. This competition brings together teams from across the country to compete for the national title, further growing the sport and increasing awareness.
Bonito: What projects and activities do you run at Blind Football Uganda?
Jagwe: At Blind Football Uganda, we conduct trainings for new players, areas, coaches and other technical officials for the game. We run a beyond sport program to support our players off the pitch with assistive devices for example white cane, food support, assistive technology support and trainings.
We are currently rolling out a women blind football program to give equal opportunity to participate in sports as we have done with the male participants with visual impairment.
Bonito: What challenges in a Ugandan context to people with visual impairment face in Uganda?
Jagwe: People with visual impairments face several challenges, including:
- Limited access to assistive devices such as white canes and braille materials, which are essential for daily life but often too expensive for many to afford.
- High unemployment rates, despite a significant portion of the visually impaired population being educated and qualified to work.
- Barriers to education, largely due to a lack of awareness that individuals with visual impairments can pursue schooling. Additionally, a shortage of specialized teachers in schools has resulted in many visually impaired individuals starting their education at an older age or missing out on schooling altogether.
Bonito: For those readers who aren't familiar with the sport of blind football, could you give us an overview about the rules and special equipment used to facilitate the sport?
Jagwe: Blind football is a modified version of football, specifically adapted to meet the needs of blind and visually impaired players. The game follows specialized rules to ensure inclusivity and fair play. Some of the key features are:
- Equal Playing Field: The players wear blindfolds (eye shades) to ensure fairness, as some players may have varying degrees of vision. This levels the playing field for all participants.
- Playing Surface & Pitch Setup: The game is played on a 40m x 20m pitch, with two 20-minute halves. The longer sides of the pitch are lined with kick boards that prevent the ball from going out of play, ensuring a smoother and more continuous game—there are no throw-ins in blind football.
- Specialized Ball: A size 4 ball is used, containing an internal rattling sound system that makes noise when it rolls, allowing players to track its movement by sound alone.
- Goalposts: The goal size in blind football is 3.66m x 2.14m, the same dimensions as a field hockey goal.
- The 'Voy' Rule: Communication is key in blind football. Players challenging for the ball must say “voy” (Spanish for “I’m going”) to alert opponents of an impending tackle. Likewise, if a player is searching for or controlling the ball, they must also say "voy." Failure to do so results in a foul, as the rule is essential for preventing collisions. However, a player dribbling the ball under control does not need to say anything.
- Standard Equipment: Players wear jerseys, shin guards, stockings, and football boots, but without spikes—instead, they use canvas or specially designed "fair play" shoes for better grip and safety.
Blind football is an exciting, fast-paced sport that not only enhances accessibility but also promotes teamwork, skill, and resilience among visually impaired athletes.
Bonito: How do you engage the professional football organization in Uganda to support your work?
Jagwe: It has been mainly through social media, email engagement and a case in point we have been engaging with Watoto Wa Soka who included us in their 2022 event called the slum derby giving us an opportunity to exhibit blind football to their audience and later on donated to us a kit for our team.
We have as well engaged FUFA- Federation of Uganda Football Associations on how they can support and include blind football in their plan but it has not yet yielded any positive fruits up to now
Bonito: Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world. How important are tools like football to empower the next generation?
Jagwe: Football can offer a lot for young people in Uganda. Football serves as a powerful tool for leadership, providing players with opportunities to captain teams, guide their teammates to victory, and become inspirational role models within their communities. By taking on these responsibilities, individuals develop confidence, resilience, and the ability to lead both on and off the field.
Beyond leadership, football plays a significant role in boosting mental health, particularly for individuals with visual impairments who may have limited mobility. The sport allows them to engage in physical activity, experience a change of environment, and enjoy the fun and excitement of the game, all of which contribute to their overall well-being.
Football also offers a pathway to success by providing athletes with access to education, sponsorships, scholarships, international travel, job opportunities, and mentorship. Through networking and interactions with various people and organizations, players can build connections that open doors to new opportunities and career growth.
Additionally, the sport helps develop teamwork and social skills, teaching individuals the importance of collaboration, communication, and mutual support. By working together towards a common goal, players learn how to assist each other in times of difficulty, fostering a strong sense of community and unity.
Bonito: Jagwe, this has been such an inspiring conversation, thank you so much for the work you do and for sharing it with us!
Jagwe: Thanks Bonito- I am always up fo collaboration so anyone on the Bonito platform can feel free to reach out to learn more about Blind Football!
Bio
Name: Jagwe Muzafaru
Organization (s): Blind Football Uganda
Role: Founder and Chairman
Favorite Football (or sport) for good organization apart from your own: UEFA
Favorite Football Club: Vipers SC
Dream sport for good organization that you would love to collaborate with on a project: FUFA - Federation of Uganda Football Associations
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muzafaru.jagwe
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jagwe_muzafaru
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blindfootballuganda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jagwe_muzafaru
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagwe-muzafaru-87ab69132
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