For most people, Sandra Owagage Mbaziira is known as the chairperson of Police Women FC, Welfare Manager at Police FC, a respected business executive , a member of Police Treasury, and Managing Director of Amicus Hotel and The Consortium. But away from boardrooms and football administration, she has built something deeply personal which is a support network that dozens of Ugandan footballers now call home .
Sandra Owagage Mbaziira on a Function
Sandra Owagage Mbaziira says the footballers came into her life during one of her most difficult personal periods, when she was struggling with loneliness and emotional pain. At a time when she felt she had few people to lean on, the players unknowingly became a source of comfort, joy, and healing.
Spending time with them helped her forget her worries. They laughed together, shared meals, danced, talked openly, and gradually formed a bond that felt like family rather than a football association.
Sandra came to view the players as a gift from God during a season when she needed support herself. That is why she chose the name " the Blessed family " because she believes the young footballers were a blessing in her life, just as she hopes she has been a blessing in theirs.
As she puts it , " To me the boys were a blessing from God."
A Symbol of the Family at Amicus Hotel
The spirit of what she started is visible the moment a visitor walks into Amicus Hotel. Standing around the reception is a framed display featuring more than six football jerseys belonging to players who are part of Sandra Owagage Mbaziira's football brotherhood.
For guests, it is an unusual sight in a hotel lobby. But for Sandra, the jerseys represent far more than football memorabilia. Each shirt tells a story of a young player's journey, struggles, achievements, and the bond they share through Blessed Family.
The display serves as a quiet reminder that the family extends beyond the football pitch and goes into homes, workplaces, and everyday life. Before visitors even meet Sandra, they are greeted by the symbols of the relationships that have become one of the most meaningful parts of her life.
The Blessed Family
Sandra’s involvement with football started professionally. Part of her role at Police FC required her to closely watch matches so she could contribute meaningfully during executive committee meetings. “You cannot discuss football decisions if you do not understand what is happening on the pitch,” she explains.
The club leadership would analyse matches, evaluate performances, and discuss players who were improving or declining. But one particular match changed everything for her. Police FC had just lost to Luweero United. The mood around the players was heavy. Some boys were emotional and heartbroken after the defeat .
One player stood out and that was Emmanuel Mugume who was in tears after being blamed for the loss .
Emmanuel Mugume with the ball in training A simple conversation that started in 2023 turned into mentorship, and one player soon became many . Over time, Sandra discovered that many young footballers were battling unseen struggles like loneliness, injuries, financial hardship, depression, and the pressure of chasing professional careers far from home.
Blessed Family has evolved into a safe space where players can eat, talk, laugh, and recover mentally from the demands of football, these players are from different tribes, have different personalities, and different cultures. The family includes background tribes like Acholi, Lugbara , Baganda, Bateso, and many more.
The brotherhood stretches across clubs in the Ugandan League and also International ones including Police FC, SC Villa, and Vipers SC, bringing together players such as Daniel jakony ( Uganda Police FC ) , Obedi Brian James ( Uganda Police FC ) , Odong Arnold ( SC Villa ) , Isaac Ogwang ( Vipers SC ) , Jeans Braddy Wokorach ( SC Villa ) , Ismail Watenga (University of Pretoria | AmaTuks ) , Reagan Mpande ( SC Villa ), Reagan Male ( Uganda Police FC ) , Francis Onekalit ( Muhanga FC Rwanda ) , Benon Tahomera ( Uganda Police FC ), Edward Kasibante ( Uganda Police FC ) , Geoffrey Lubangakene ( SC Villa ) , Daniel Kitara ( UPDF FC ) , Tom Ikara ( BUL FC ) and Emmanuel Mugume ( Uganda Police FC ) .
The blessed family brotherhood tree
“It is not easy bringing all those personalities together.” But through the process, Sandra says she learned patience more than anything else. Sandra’s mission is bigger than emotional support. She wants the boys to fulfil their dreams of playing football outside Uganda. Whether through mentorship, connections, or helping them meet agents and football contacts, she remains committed to helping them grow professionally.
At the centre of Sandra's philosophy is one principle , which is discipline over talent. Players are expected to take responsibility for their actions both on and off the pitch. Some have even call her immediately after red cards or controversial incidents, knowing accountability awaits.
Unlike most football relationships that end when players transfer clubs, Blessed Family moves with the footballers. When players like Ogwang moved from Police FC to Vipers SC in the season 2024 , Sandra followed him there emotionally and mentally. “Once you become family, you remain family,” she says.
The journey has not been without challenges. Sandra has faced criticism and damaging rumours about her close relationship with the players. At one point, she considered walking away. Instead, she stayed.
“So much attention is placed on the girl child and that is important but the boy child is also hurting, boys cry too , they get depressed too. But society teaches them to hide it.” she mentioned.
Beyond emotional support, she has helped players pay rent, settle hospital bills, find transport, and navigate personal problems. One of her most emotional moments came when she spent nights sleeping on a hospital floor caring for an injured player who had no one else to help .
Sandra says she expects nothing in return.
Her dream is simple and it is just to see every member of Blessed Family succeed and transform their lives through football.
Sandra and some of the footballers
Beyond the boys, Sandra is also passionate about improving women’s football in Uganda. She raises concerns about breastfeeding footballers, menstrual health during matches, and the lack of proper facilities for female athletes. “What happens when a player needs to change her pad during a game?” she asks. “What happens to breastfeeding mothers at football grounds?” She believes women’s football still lacks support systems that allow girls and mothers to fully participate comfortably.
A simple message to Football, Sandra believes football can only grow through unity. She compares football to building a house. “You need the roof, the windows, the doors, and the foundation. Every part matters.” She urges fans, media, players, coaches, and administrators to respect each other’s roles and show more love instead of hatred. “Football is nothing without fans. Administrators need players. Players need coaches. All of us matter.”
Today, Blessed Family stands as more than a football network. It is a rare support system in Ugandan sport and a place where players find mentorship, belonging, and a second family.
And at its heart is a woman who chose to see footballers not just as athletes, but as human beings.
