KAMPALA. Uganda U-17 captain Owen Mukisa has joined Roc Nation Sports International, taking another significant step in his development ahead of this month’s Fifa U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The association, which will be formally unveiled at Kampala Serena Hotel on Tuesday, November 10, places the youngster in an international football stable featuring Brazilian star Vinicius Junior.
Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande and Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli also feature in the agency’s football portfolio, giving Mukisa illustrious company as he builds his career.
For the St Mary’s Kitende playmaker, however, the milestone carries meaning beyond the prominent names now associated with his professional journey.
Raised in Buziga, Kampala, Mukisa grew up among five children supported by their mother, whose sacrifices remain central to his ambitions.
His introduction to football came through accompanying an older cousin to local training sessions, where an early interest developed into a determination to pursue the game.
Coach Richard Luyima and Seth Football Academy subsequently provided support and a foundation for his development, helping him progress towards Uganda’s youth national team.
“My mum had all the responsibilities of five children, and her sacrifice means everything to me. Coach Luyima has always been there for me,” Mukisa said.
He added; “He has played the part of being a father to me.”
That personal support has helped shape a player whose direct running, technical ability and willingness to work have attracted attention beyond Uganda.
“Signing with Roc Nation Sports International is a huge milestone for me and my family, and to begin working with such an elite football agency gives me the belief and support to keep striving toward my goals.”
Roc Nation Sports International will work alongside its partner agency, 1 Percent Sports, to provide representation and support as Mukisa navigates the next stages of his career.
The agreement brings an international support structure around a youngster preparing for greater scrutiny, with decisions about his development becoming increasingly important.
Grant Veitch, Roc Nation Sports International’s director of African football recruitment, said Mukisa’s appeal extended beyond what he produces on the pitch.
“Owen is an exceptional talent whose on-field ability and work ethic are matched by incredible personal character and resilience,” Veitch said.
“At Roc Nation Sports International, we are dedicated to identifying and developing top-tier talent across Africa, ensuring young players receive all the necessary support needed to navigate the modern game.”
Mukisa’s association with the agency had already become public before the planned unveiling.
Uganda Tourism Board identified him as part of Roc Nation’s international family following a July meeting involving the agency’s president, Michael Yormark, and UTB chief executive Juliana Kagwa.
According to UTB, those discussions centred on the teenager’s ambitions and future opportunities, highlighting the potential of Uganda’s emerging sporting talent.
His immediate opportunity arrives in Qatar, where Uganda will face South Korea, Ecuador and New Caledonia in Group B.
The tournament runs from November 19 to December 13, with the Cubs seeking to build on their journey to the last 16 on debut in 2025.
Mukisa heads towards that challenge with performances already supporting the growing interest in him.
At the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, he scored and provided an assist in Uganda’s opening 3-0 victory over DR Congo, earning the man-of-the-match award.
He also scored against Ghana in the decisive qualification play-off, which Uganda won on penalties to secure another World Cup appearance.
Fifa subsequently identified him as Uganda’s player to watch in its Group B preview, recognising his contribution during the continental campaign.
His leadership responsibilities have grown alongside those performances, with coach Laryea Kingston appointing him captain for the Cecafa qualifiers in November 2025.
After Uganda’s recent 6-3 preparation victory over NEC, Mukisa made clear how seriously he views the approaching global platform.
“Since Afcon ended, my goal has been to score in every game I play, this tournament will be my chance to show the world who I am,” he said.
Those ambitions now come with additional support behind him. For Mukisa, the next task is to carry his form and leadership into Qatar, where performances can give further substance to a promising career.