Mbwali eyes sprint success at FISU Games in Germany

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Multi-talented Ugandan athlete Bridget Mbwali could be on the verge of a career shift if she excels at the upcoming Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany, scheduled for July 16–27.

At just 19 years old, Mbwali competes both as a footballer and a sprinter. However, she may soon focus solely on athletics if she achieves her goal of winning medals in the 100m and 200m races.

Currently playing as a winger for UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Mbwali only began sprinting after her coach discovered her talent for short-distance running.

“I’m doing both football and athletics, but my concentration is currently on athletics,” Mbwali said. 

“My coach, Christian Magoba, realised I could excel as a sprinter after I came in second during their trials last year.”

She is a first-year Information Technology student at Uganda Christian University.

“I have prepared well and have finished first in all the national trials, so I’m currently enjoying great form. I hope this will help me perform well in Germany,” said Mbwali, who is also capable of playing as a defender or midfielder.

She aims to add to the two gold medals she won at the East Africa University Games in Maseno last year, where she competed in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events. These remain her most notable achievements in athletics so far.

“I’m confident, but I can’t promise much right now because it’s in God’s hands. However, I know I’m in top form and in good hands, so I expect a good performance. If I win medals in Germany, I will switch completely to athletics, as that would be my biggest achievement. It would prove that athletics is my calling, and I wouldn’t look back. What if I get injured in football after achieving such success in athletics?”

Mbwali also shared that she is her own inspiration and hopes to improve on her personal best time of 11.91 seconds in the 100-metre dash.

A former student of Lugazi Community School, she now studies at UCU on a full bursary. With her talent, she could be part of the solution to Uganda’s long-standing sprinting challenges, starting with the World University Games in the Rhine-Ruhr region.

Athletics events at the Games are set to begin on July 21 at the Lohrheidestadion in Bochum.