In the heart of Kampala’s Banda 1 and Luzira neighbourhoods on Saturday mornings, a unique sound can be herd — the sharp snap of lacrosse sticks, echoing off dusty fields where football and rugby have long dominated. Thanks to DBA Africa and their founder a former Lacrosse International, a new sport has caught the attention of young boys and girls, one that could take young Ugandan athletes from grassroots to global greatness.

Lacrosse, one of the fastest-growing sports globally, is making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. And while the sport has deep roots in North America, it’s now finding new life in East Africa, with Kampala’s underserved communities leading the way.

DBA Africa, known for its work in sports development across Kenya and Uganda, has partnered with local coaches to set up a Lacrosse Academy, which runs through school holidays and weekends. With just a handful of sticks and a few donated balls and helmets, the project kicked off last year, and has caught the communitys attention, with sessions attracking up to 100 kids eager to give the sport a try.

“With proper support, we could reach over 150 kids easily,” says the coach Anywar. “They’re hungry to learn, and lacrosse gives them something new, a team, a dream.”

Why Lacrosse? Why Now?

The introduction of lacrosse in Uganda is about more than just sport. It’s about community upliftment, gender inclusion, and providing pathways to education and leadership through international exposure.

The sport’s growing visibility, especially with its Olympic inclusion, makes it a powerful tool for youth empowerment in Africa. And there’s precedent for success.

Take Vicky Odhiambo, a teenage girl from Kibera, Nairobi, who joined a DBA lacrosse trial session in 2022. Within months, she was representing Kenya at the U19 Lacrosse Championships in Canada, and shortly after, earned a scholarship to study and play in the United States.

Grassroots to Greatness: The DBA Vision

DBA Africa’s lacrosse programme in Uganda isn’t just about producing Olympians — although that’s certainly within reach. It’s about giving children, especially girls in informal settlements, a safe, structured, and inspiring space to grow through playing and learning.