Zaina Namuleme

Zaina Namuleme
Personal information
Full name Zaina Namuleme
Date of birth (2000-01-09) 9 January 2000
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Kenya Police Bullets
Number 13
Youth career
2013–2016 Gadhafi Integrated Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2024 Kampala Queens
2024–2025 Makerere University
2025 to date Kenya Police Bullets
International career
2020 Uganda U20 2 (0)
2016– Uganda +4 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Zaina Namuleme (born 9 January 2000) is a Ugandan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Kenya Police Bullets.[1] She is the current captain of the Uganda women's national team since June 2025.[2]

Club career

Namuleme began her football career with Gadhafi Integrated Academy in 2013, remaining with the team until 2016, when it transitioned into Kampala Queens.[3] In May 2022, she transitioned from a striker to a midfield role.[4]

In April 2024, Namuleme stepped down as Kampala Queens captain after serving for two and a half seasons.[5][6] In July 2024, Kampala Queens announced the departure of the midfielder, who had been with the club since its inception eight years prior.[7] She Makerere University Women Football Club, where she made became the first player to score a super hat-trick in the 2024–25 FUFA Women Super League season.[8]

International career

Namuleme represented Uganda at the under-20 level, featuring in the 2020 African U-20 Women's World Cup qualifiers against Tanzania.[9]

In June 2016, Namuleme received her first call-up to the senior national team for a friendly match against Kenya.[10] She was part of the final squad for the 2016 CECAFA Women's Championship.[2] She also participated in the 2018 and 2019 CECAFA Women's Championship editions.[2]

On 21 February 2025, she scored her first international goal in stoppage time in a 2–0 victory for Uganda.[11][6] In June 2025, ahead of her fourth appearance at the CECAFA Women's Championship, Namuleme was appointed captain of the Crested Cranes to lead the team throughout the 2025 edition.[2]

International goals

Scores and results list Uganda's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Namuleme goal.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Match result Competition
121 February 2025Nakivubo Stadium, Kampala, Uganda Ethiopia1–02–02026 WAFCON qualifying
215 June 2025Chamazi Stadium, Chamazi, Tanzania South Sudan3–03–02025 CECAFA Women's Championship

References

  1. ↑ Edrine, Lubulwa (4 July 2025). "Zaina Namuleme Joins Kenya Police Bullets becoming the 8th Ugandan to ever feature in FKF Women Premier League". Rora Media Sports. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Rajub Senoga, Sinan (13 June 2025). "Zaina Namuleme named Crested Cranes captain ahead of CECAFA opener". swiftsportsug.com. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  3. ↑ "Profiles of players for the new FUFA Women Super League Trophy tour". fufa.co.ug. Federation of Uganda Football Associations. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  4. ↑ "Women Football: Revitalized Zaina Namuleme Speaks Out On Her New Playing Position at KQ". voiceofbugerere.com. 1 May 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  5. ↑ Mugabi, Geoffrey (4 April 2024). "Namuleme Steps Down As Kampala Queens Captain". nnalubaalesports.com. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  6. 1 2 Muziransa, Makhtum (24 February 2025). "Namuleme goal an inspiration for all". monitor.co.ug. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  7. ↑ Muyita, Joel (4 July 2024). "Kampala Queens part ways with Zaina Namuleme". kawowo.com. Kawowo Sports. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  8. ↑ Rajub Senoga, Sinan (7 April 2025). "Namuleme scores four goals as Makerere aggravate Wakiso Hill woes". swiftsportsug.com. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  9. ↑ "FIFA U-20 Women World Cup: Uganda U-20 XI Vs Tanzania". fufa.co.ug. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  10. ↑ "Crested Cranes final squad to Kenya named". fufa.co.ug. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  11. ↑ Mugalu, Jeremiah (21 February 2025). "Namuleme shines brightest as Crested Cranes edge Ethiopia in WAFCON 2026 Qualifier". thetouchlinesports.com. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
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