It is every athlete’s dream to wear the national colours and work for their country with pride. Every competitive athlete knows that reaching this level requires patience, hard work and determination, yet unexpected challenges always arise along the way.
The world of sport has seen siblings play alongside each other at club and national level, while others have met as opponents. The story of Uganda Cubs midfielders Musa Ssuna and Henry Muhoozi unfolds in a unique and compelling fashion.
Just like the French brothers Lucas and Theo Hernandez, who contested the left-back position for France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup before Lucas stepped aside due to injury, the Muhoozi–Ssubi contest is a joy to follow.
The pair, currently featuring for the Uganda Cubs at the TotalEnergies AFCON Men’s U17 CECAFA Region Qualifiers in Ethiopia, are unbothered by the fact that they compete for the same holding midfield position. This rivalry did not begin with the national team; it has been present at their school side, Amus College School.
While Ssuna embraces the competition with satisfaction, Muhoozi has never viewed it as a battle against anyone. He prefers to keep his head high and focus on his progress without thinking about who stands in his way.
The two calm and gifted midfielders are maternal cousins, though one would hardly identify them as closely related. Their paths to this stage have been different yet equally interesting.
Musa Ssuna
By physical appearance and social personality, Musa Ssuna differs from Muhoozi. Ssuna is more talkative among his age group, while Muhoozi is quiet and interacts slowly, speaking rarely and softly.
Born on 29 January 2011 to Nuul Nabukenya and his late father in Kalungu, Masaka, now Lukaya, Ssuna arrived six months before Muhoozi. He did not begin structured football development early. Like many Ugandan talents, he followed his elder brother Julius Sserunjogi to training in Masaka, where his interest in the game grew.
His passion flourished during his time at Lukaya Education Centre, St Jude and Lyna Infants before he joined Wagwa High School. His mother supported him fully and later moved him to Auerbach Soccer Academy. His transfer from Wagwa to Amus College School last year marked his rapid growth as he chases his dream of professional football.
‘I am feeling blessed. This was my first national team summons and it came as a surprise. I felt very happy and encouraged to keep working hard. I promise I will do my best,’ he said.
He recognises coach Willis Mbabazi (Katooto), who discovered him at Wagwa and initiated his move to Amus College.
Ssuna is the third of four children, coming after Marion Nakalema and Julius Sserunjogi, while the youngest, Judith Muwanguzi, is already following the family path and plays for Wagwa Memorial Primary School.
He admires former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets and SC Villa’s Kenneth Ssemakula. He hopes to play in a top European league and support his family in return.
Henry Muhoozi
Soft-spoken Henry Muhoozi has already established himself as one of coach Layrea Kingston’s trusted midfielders at the AFCON Men’s U17 CECAFA Region Qualifiers, though his journey deserves careful tracing.
Born on 12 July 2011 to Faridah Nakanwagi, the younger sister of Ssuna’s mother, and Vincent Kakooza of Lukaya, Muhoozi is the second born of six children.
As a young boy, he did not engage much in football and had not realised his potential until his time at Wagwa Memorial Primary School. Competition there was limited but entertainment was abundant, and he excelled.
It was during this period that Mark Namanya visited the school to identify young talents for Alfa Soccer Academy in Mbarara. With the support of his mother, Muhoozi accepted the offer and moved to Mbarara, where he completed primary school before joining Kinoni High School for Senior One last year.
Like his cousin, he was spotted by Willis Mbabazi after an impressive performance in Senior One at the USSSA Rwampara District Championship.
Muhoozi is grateful for his parents’ unwavering support. ‘I owe them a lot. They have supported me. I have not yet become what I want to be because I still have a long way to go, but I know I will work hard to get there,’ he said.
Though he has no sporting nickname, he has earned one in Dire Dawa: Ng’oro Kanté, for his calmness and game intelligence, which resemble the style of the French midfielder.
He admires Kevin De Bruyne, now at Napoli, and Vipers SC’s Allan Okello. His ambition is to play professional football in a major European league, but he knows that discipline and hard work will determine his path.
