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David Kigozi of Bukedea Comprehensive receives the boys' volleyball MVP accolade from PES assistant Commissioner Sam Odong
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Teenage volleyball player David Kigozi is slowly but steadily growing into the kind of player who can achieve his career goals in the sport. The Bukedea Comprehensive School volleyball team captain emerged as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in volleyball at the recently concluded USSSA Ball Games II in Soroti, but that was just the beginning.
The receiver-attacker, who had already shown great promise, led his school team to their first major national schools' title in just their second year of competition, having lost in their maiden final in last year's edition in Kabale. The Soroti accolade became his fourth, following his maiden MVP win in 2019 while in S1 at the Wazei Open, with the second coming at the Kabale Open Tournament in 2021, and the third at the Nsambya Open the following year.
Minister Ogwang meets David Kigozi during the inspection of Bukedea Comp Volleyball team in the finals in Soroti
The talented 18-year-old, whose intelligent diagonal net attacks always challenge opposing blockers, initially seemed destined to become a footballer and goalkeeper. However, Boaz Turyahebwa’s guidance redirected his future ambitions. "The reason I switched from football to volleyball was that I wanted to concentrate on my studies and excel so that I could take care of my mother, especially since my brothers and sisters did not go far. When I met coach Turyahebwa, my wishes became realities," the soft-spoken Kigozi says.
Born on October 16, 2005, to Godfrey Kigozi (RIP) and Jenipher Kadondu of Makindye, Kampala, Kigozi couldn’t continue schooling in Kampala after his father’s death. Instead, he moved to the village in Kazo, where Turyahebwa helped him complete Primary 7 before enrolling in secondary studies at Buremba SS.
In 2003, Kigozi decided to move with coach Turyahebwa and other student-players to Bukedea Comprehensive School, where the coach had secured a job. Despite his athletic prowess, none of Kigozi’s siblings—Sam Mayambala, Simon Ssebagala, Brian Kawesa, Winnie Nakigozi, Erick Musazi, and Fauzia Nagujja—participate in any sports discipline.
"I am happy that the young man I started grooming into a good player has shown great improvement, and I am sure with his discipline and determination, Kigozi is destined for greater heights," Boaz Turyahebwa said of Kigozi.
Kigozi David preparing to serve from the box
On their national debut at the USSSA games in Kabale last year, Kigozi and his team reached the finals but lost to Standard High Zzana before finishing 4th at the FEASSA games in Huye, Rwanda.
Bukedea Comprehensive will host their first FEASSA games from August 16-27, and on home soil, Kigozi, along with attacker Aziz Busingye, opposite player Patrick Oyiroth, setters Edmond Kimera and Davis Suuna, middle players Florent Kimaralungu and Collins Ahereza, and libero Isaac Kakuru, have the potential to make history by becoming the first Ugandan team to host and win the FEASSA accolade.
Kigozi, who is currently in S.5 and plays for Entebbe Volleyball Club, is already on the radar of top-tier sides UCU, KCCA, Nkumba, and Ndejje. He will make a choice in line with his studies after completing S.6 next year.
