FFI Medical Camp Serves 1,002 People at Mengo
The Former Footballers Initiative provided free medical attention to 1,002 people during its two-day community medical camp held at Mengo Senior School in Kampala on 16 and 17 January 2025.
Organised under the patronage of General Katumba Wamala and the chairmanship of Hajji Ngobya Mubarak Isaac, the outreach brought together former footballers, healthcare professionals, community members, volunteers and partner organisations.
The initiative demonstrated how former footballers can continue serving society beyond their playing careers while drawing attention to the health and welfare challenges that many retired players and their families experience.
Two days of free medical care
Medical professionals provided general consultations and health checks for conditions including hypertension, diabetes, respiratory infections and gastrointestinal complaints.
The camp also provided:
Reproductive-health education and services.
Family-planning information and maternal-health counselling.
Sexually transmitted infection screening.
Prostate cancer screening for men aged over 40.
Cervical cancer screening.
Eye screening.
Health and nutrition education.
Free medication based on medical assessment.
Referral advice for patients requiring additional care.
The official report does not provide separate figures for each service; therefore, FFI records the overall number of people attended to as 1,002.
Community donates 103 units of blood
The blood-donation campaign was conducted with Uganda Blood Transfusion Services through Nakasero Blood Bank.
Community members and volunteers donated 103 units of blood to support accident victims, people living with sickle cell disease and other patients requiring transfusions.
The blood collection was one of the camp’s most measurable contributions, extending its impact beyond those who attended at Mengo Senior School.
Leadership and community support
The camp was officially opened by Vision Group Chief Finance Officer Augustine Tamale together with Rtn Stella Margaret Davis, then Vice-President of the Rotary Club of Kampala Wandegeya.
The closing ceremony was presided over by FUFA representative Patrick Ntege Kaweesa, who highlighted the contribution that football and former players can make to health awareness and community development.
FFI Patron General Katumba Wamala, Chairman Hajji Ngobya Mubarak Isaac and Hon Asuman Basalirwa were also among the leaders and guests who visited the camp and commended the medical professionals and volunteers.
The medical programme was coordinated by Dr Ssaka Mustafa and Dr Muwonge Jabura.
Partners behind the medical camp
FFI acknowledges the institutions and organisations whose professional, logistical and material support made the outreach possible:
Federation of Uganda Football Associations
Uganda Blood Transfusion Services/Nakasero Blood Bank
Ministry of Health through Central Public Health Laboratories
Reproductive Health Uganda
ASG Eye Care
Mavid Pharmaceuticals
First Pharmacy Wandegeya
Rotary Club of Kampala Wandegeya
Vision Group
Radio Simba
BMK House
Mengo Senior School
FFI leadership, medical professionals and volunteers
Lessons for future medical camps
The post-camp report recommended that FFI establish regular medical outreaches and develop a stronger system for following up patients diagnosed with chronic conditions.
It also proposed adding mental-health counselling, increasing community mobilisation and building longer-term partnerships with hospitals, government institutions, pharmaceutical companies, laboratories, NGOs and corporate organisations.
These lessons are informing preparations for the FFI Grand Medical Camp scheduled for 14–15 January 2027.
FFI is inviting medical institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and individuals to support the programme through funding, medical personnel, medicines, screening equipment, laboratory services, transport, refreshments, publicity and volunteer mobilisation.
