Unplugging KCCA mascot Kyazze who bleeds for Uganda’s football

KYAZZE AT A GLANCE
Name: Kassim Kyazze
Schools: Kirombe Infant, Port Bell P/S, Bright High Busega and St Stephen College Kabowa
Parents: Musa Kitagwa and Zewulia Namutebi
Occupation: Conductor Age: 26
Teams: KCCA and Cranes
Role models: Denis Onyango, Isaac Juma (Kenya and AFC Leopard mascot)

Kampala. Put Jackson Ssewanyana aka Uncle Money and Joseph Muwonge aka Kamodo aside.
There is a new kid on the block in Kassim Kyazze, who is ready to give his all in morale boasting the Uganda Cranes – home and away.

Yes, KCCA fans have a right to claim that his DNA is purely yellow but a deep conversation with the soccer fanatic reveals he will literally kill to be with Cranes at the battle line.
Little wonder that Kyazze is currently braving the freezing environs of Marrakech to be the 12th man as Cranes seek honours at Chan.

Born in Luzira 26 years ago to Musa Kitagwa and Zewulia Namutebi, he fell in love with Cranes the moment he took up custodian and skipper Denis Onyango as his role model – in 2012. He has been trying to become an established goal keeper in the league like Onyango.
Unfortunately his exploits have taken him not further than minding the net for first division side Luzira Soccer Academy.

Life as a taxi conductor
Anyone who travels along the Luzira - City Park route can hardly miss this jolly taxi conductor who basically works to get money for rent, lunch and funding soccer trips.
“I started painting my face at KCCA towards the end of the 2015-2016 season,” says Kyazze.
“I have since been encouraged by the feedback from people along the road and fellow fans.”

His obsession with following Onyango was rewarded handsomely recently when Cranes No.1 custodian sent out a notice for anyone who knows ‘a fan that emblazons his (Onyango) name and holds placards of his photos at international games.
“I was in the taxi when I got a call that Onyango needs me urgently. I told my driver to stop instantly so that I can run to see him.”
The two met, made bonding acquaintances and share gifts and the rest is history. “Few players can welcome you at their homes and tell you to feel at home. But Onyango did.
“He has given me goal-keeping tips, gives me gloves and jerseys every time he comes back home. People in Luzira now call me Onyango,” Kyazze says with a wide smile. He says the paint he uses has no harm to his body and that it washes away in minutes after a match.

Best Moment
It cannot get past the 2017 Afcon tourney that Uganda Cranes graced after 39 years of absence.
Kyazze expected his celebrations to end at Namboole when he received a call from Fufa president Moses Magogo with an offer to go and watch the opening game against Ghana in Gabon. “It was the first time I was thinking about getting a passport and stepping on a plane,” reveals Kyazze.

Humble request
The amiable Kyazze says he lacks sponsors for his match day activities. “I spend Shs50,000 for KCCA home games and Shs120,000 on away matches yet no one gives me a coin. I appeal to KCCA and Fufa officials to help me get a sponsor like MTN so that I act as their brand ambassador,” opines Kyazze.

Vipers, Villa on prowl
“At the start of this league season, an official from Vipers approached me to join them at a huge fee. I told KCCA officials and they took it as a joke,” Kyazze told SCORE.
This was after he faced wrath from fellow fans and club administrators for donning a Villa jersey yet he is their ‘property’.

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