Nalukenge Opens Up About Cordial Relationship With Her Father

July 7, 2020
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Uganda Crested Cranes youngster Juliet Nalukenge has revealed how a good father-daughter relationship catapulted her football career.

The 17-year old player, was born to Paul Kasule and Jane Nakachwa on August 14, 2003.

Nalukenge, youngest in the family of seven, says that her father started supporting her to play football the moment he realised her interest.

Nalukenge poses for a photo with her father, in the background is the Car she won as the 2019 Airtel FUFA Women Player of the year.

“In my family, it is just my father and brother who play football. My father played for local teams when he was young and my brother is still playing,” Nalukenge narrated to CAF media.

“I used to watch him play and I would be so happy. When he noticed that I love football, he started encouraging and giving me support. Whenever I played in school, he will always encourage me to do better.

“He comes to watch me in some of my matches and helps me correct my mistakes. My dream is to make him proud one day and play professional football outside Uganda.”

Nalukenge has blossomed out of the Kawempe Muslim team and her rise has seen the teenager win the 2019 FUFA Women’s player of the year after helping Uganda triumph at COSAFA and CECAFA U17 tourneys last year.

“Winning the FUFA Women’s Player of the Year was a huge thing for me. There are other girls who had equally successful seasons and to be chosen as the best meant a lot for me especially at my age. And to guide the team to the CECAFA title in Jinja made it even sweeter,” Nalukenge added.

CECAFA U17 Champions – Nalukenge lifts the trophy in Njeru. Courtesy

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Nalukenge and Uganda U17 Women national team will face Cameroon for the final hurdle of the FIFA U17 Women World Cup Qualifiers.

Uganda has already eliminated Ethiopia and Cameroon enroute to this stage in a campaign that seen Nalukenge bag five goals including a hat-trick against Ethiopia at Lugogo.

“If we manage to qualify to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, it would open so many doors for us and that is why we are working so hard to achieve that.

“My dream is to play in Europe and I know I can achieve that just like the many African players in major leagues abroad. I want to make my family and fans happy.”

Nalukenge says that she also wants to help the senior team qualify for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and she believes that the team has what it takes “because over the last three years we have improved a lot.”