Text by Andrew Olsson. Interview, translations and audio provided by Ronald Lusulire
The 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania ended with a familiar nation coming out on top. Ghana, spurred by the performances of Daniel Afriyie and Player of the Tournament Abdul Fatawu, claimed their fourth African title at the under-20 level. However, their opponents on that night in Nouakchott proved they are a rising nation to watch in the football world.
In a competition that is one of the most scouted in the football world, Uganda announced their capabilities by reaching the final and their star player was striker Derrick Kakooza. Any observer could see the massive potential in the goal scorer who was playing for Uganda Premier League side Police FC at the time.
A powerfully built player who had the pace and finishing instincts desired in a top striker, it was impossible to ignore Kakooza whose five goals at the competition powered the Hippos to heights never seen. His hat-trick in the semifinal against Tunisia was a performance that ignites careers.
The offers and opportunities came in after success at the U-20 AFCON. Rumors of a move to Belgian giants Anderlecht passed without fruition before Kakooza began his voyage abroad with a move to Latvian club Valmiera before making brief stops in Finland, Egypt and Ethiopia.
All of these stops were characterized by unfortunate circumstances as well as injuries, all moments that tested Kakooza's belief and resolve. However, after injuries ruled him out for nearly all of 2024, Kakooza is back in action to rebuild his career in Albania where the now 22-year-old is with third tier club KF Tërbuni.
Kakooza spoke exclusively to Pan-Africa Football reporter Ronald Lusulire to reveal more about all of the stops during his club career abroad since the 2021 U-20 AFCON and also clear up false rumors. He responded to Ronald's questions in his native local language, Luganda. Below are audios of his responses in Luganda followed by English translations provided by Ronald:
Europe: What happened with Anderlecht; time in Latvia
After the U-20 AFCON, did you sign with an agency from abroad?
"After AFCON, I did not sign with any agent because I had my manager, Hon. Geoffrey Kayemba Ssolo. Many wanted to sign with me but I had him and I took him as my parent."
Kakooza also spoke more on how much of a role he has in choosing clubs and the role of his management:
"I don't have a role in selecting a club because I have a management (team) and that is their role. I can't do two roles. For me my role is to play football and my management's role is to manage and advise me whenever a deal comes in."
After rumors of a move to Anderlecht, Kakooza ended up transferring to Latvian top flight club Valmiera from Police FC and was assigned to the club's reserve team, which competes in Latvia's second tier, for the 2022 season.
What happened with the rumored move to Anderlecht and what led to your transfer to Latvia (with Valmiera)?
"About the deal with Anderlecht, I got the visa during COVID-19 so I got the Belgium visa. But Uganda as a country was under 'red flag' restrictions for Ugandans traveling to Belgium and everything collapsed from there because of the circumstances related to COVID-19...its a long story that I don't wish to go into all the details now."
Did Valmiera have a development plan for you? What was your time like there?
"Yes there was a development plan for me at Valmiera but the challenge was regarding our sponsors who were from Ukraine and Russia, including the club president who was Russian."
"So our president got involved in the war between Russia and Ukraine by then. The club went into a financial crisis with no money. Players were demanding (payment) and later on FIFA ordered the club to release them."
Desiring to continue his European adventure, Kakooza spent a brief spell with Finnish top division side KuPS in January 2023. As a trialist he was eligible to play in Finland's League Cup at the beginning of the campaign and played one match for KuPS, coming on as a substitute.
"Yes, I went to Finland and played. It was a direct offer. But their offer wasn't clear with what was agreed initially in the negotiations in terms of money and other things like taxes, accommodations, transportation...which were all to be covered by me. We felt this was working for nothing with nothing to take home. So we decided to part ways."
Back to African club football
After parting ways with KuPS following the trial period, Kakooza returned to African club football where he agreed to a move to Egyptian Premier League side ENPPI. Unfortunately the chaos of a club in transition resulted in an unfavorable situation for Kakooza.
What happened in Egypt with ENPPI? Did you sign a contract and train with the club? What led to the end of your time in Egypt?
"About the deal in Egypt with ENPPI, I went there and signed a contract and I played. But the coach who signed me while the club was a Croatian who I previously worked with in Latvia. Unfortunately he was sacked two days after my arrival at the club and they got another coach who was also dismissed after three games."
"Eventually they brought in an Egyptian coach who told the management that he was not interested in using foreign players. I remember by then it was me, Eric Traoré (on loan from Pyramids FC) who is a Burkina Faso player who used to play with Ugandan player Abdu Lumala at Pyramids, a Serbian and Alhassan Mubarak a Ghanaian. At the end of the season we sat with the club and we agreed for me to leave."
Once again Kakooza was on the search for a new club when Ethiopia, a destination that has played host to numerous Ugandan players, came into play. Kakooza joined popular Addis Ababa club Ethiopian Coffee for the 2023-24 season.
You made some appearances with Ethiopian Coffee. What was your time like in Ethiopia?
"I made some appearances with Ethiopian Coffee in different competitions like the league, the (cup) and I scored some goals...around seven in ten appearances. But still, the problem came from management and finances. Ethiopia had a law against foreign players taking payment in dollars."
"While the club negotiates in US Dollars, they give it to you in your currency (Ethiopian birr) which can't be used in Uganda and acquiring dollars required going to the black market which was not working for me. Because this is business...we sat and agreed for me to leave as I had another offer but unfortunately that is when I got injured."
Albania: Kakooza looks to resurrect his career
Having suffered what became a long-term injury in Ethiopia, Kakooza returned home to Uganda to recover in January 2024. After a year out of action, he recently signed with his current club KF Tërbuni in the Albanian city of Pukë. Now the striker is focusing on building up his form and confidence, scoring his first goal for the club over the weekend. After signing, Kakooza spoke to us:
“I thank God for this move, considering what I went through in 2024. Many wrote me off and assumed I had quit football but it was due to an injury. I am grateful to my family, friends, and the management of KF Tërbu for believing in me. This opportunity is crucial for me to recover my form and contribute to the club's success."
Speaking further on his mission in Albania, Kakooza expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and what his objective is:
"I thank God that I am back. I am fine and recovered well and I am ready to work. It is good to be active again after the previous setback but that is life and life goes on. Past is past and I am now focusing on the future. Many people talked when I was down but I kept it calm. At the end of the day it is you against you."
"The most important thing is Europe is Europe. So I returned here to rejuvenate my career so I can get better offers. This is a stepping stone for greater things because it is not too late and I feel that I can achieve and I will make it. Giving up is not an option and even if I fall a thousand times, I will get up a thousand times."
Finally, Kakooza wanted to address some of the rumors that persisted during the difficult moments in his career, especially regarding his time in Ethiopia:
"I also want to use this opportunity to clear the air on the circulating rumors that me leaving Ethiopia (was because) I had a fight and bit the coach. That is false. I can't do that and I have explained why I left Ethiopia."
Thank you to Derrick for his answers to our questions. Pan-Africa Football will stay updated on his time in Albania and what the future holds.
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