Denis Kasozi re-elected treasurer of WBSC Africa at Bangkok Congress

Uganda’s Denis Kasozi has been re-elected as Treasurer of the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) Africa during the 6th WBSC Congress, held at the Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

The congress brought together member nations to elect continental leaders and welcome new federations, including Chad, Guinea, Jordan, Luxembourg, Nigeria, DPR Korea, and South Sudan.

Uganda was represented by Uganda Baseball and Softball Association (UBASA) President John Bosco Ssempa, Secretary Paul Wafula, and Kasozi, who now begins another term as WBSC Africa Treasurer.

“I’m happy and humbled to be re-elected,” Kasozi said. “This position is demanding, and I believe members recognized my performance over the past three years.”

Kasozi shared that the congress focused on strengthening WBSC Africa’s financial independence and governance. Key resolutions included making WBSC Africa financially self-sustaining, improving competition standards across the continent, introducing annual membership fees of USD 100 per discipline starting January 2026, and admitting new member federations such as South Sudan, Niger, and Guinea.

He emphasized that Uganda’s leadership role within WBSC Africa opens doors for greater visibility and partnerships.

“Having a Ugandan in this position raises awareness of our baseball and softball programs across Africa. I engage with partners and potential funders who can support UBASA’s growth,” he explained.

Kasozi pledged to expand WBSC Africa’s funding base and promote equitable resource distribution. “Together with the Executive Board, I aim to increase funding and ensure regional allocation so every federation benefits. We’re committed to financial transparency and accountability.”

Despite Kasozi’s continental success, Uganda’s domestic baseball scene faces financial hurdles. The Uganda Baseball5 national team is at risk of missing the African Baseball5 Championship, scheduled for November 5–8 in Lusaka, Zambia, due to lack of funding. The team has yet to receive support or begin training.

“Funding remains a challenge for many African federations. While we can’t solve it entirely, offering subsidies and financial management training could help improve the situation,” Kasozi noted.

The upcoming championship will feature eight nations: Uganda, Kenya, Tunisia, Cape Verde, Zambia, South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. The top two teams will qualify for the 2026 WBSC Baseball5 World Cup in Italy.

Looking ahead, Kasozi expressed hope for Uganda’s continued rise in global baseball. “We need to see a Ugandan on the WBSC Executive Board soon. Young people should never doubt themselves—one day, they’ll make it,” he said. “Africa has immense talent. My dream is to see the continent in the top three at the Baseball5 World Cup and Uganda producing MLB players in the near future.”