Ugandan youths launch Iryn Namubiru FC

The singer made the announcement on Monday via her Facebook page. She also posted pictures of her holding a personalised jersey of the club.

“Yesterday was very special as I got to meet with some of my most loyal fans and diehards, some for the first time, to launch our football club Iryn Namubiru FC,” she wrote. “It was indeed a great pleasure. Thank you so much for the support and beautiful ideas. And now we are ready for the friendly matches."

“This was my fans' initiative of which I am very supportive,” Namubiru told Music In Africa. “The club will also accommodate netball games. I must say that I am very honoured by this move because through interactions with other players from other regions, this brilliant idea will also promote me as a brand and grow my influence across the country.”

Namubiru said she would use her influence and resources to ensure that the club acquired a permanent base.

“A good number of the fans that came up with this idea are youths, both in school and working. This initiative will promote their talent, enable them to earn money and improve their social and networking skills because they will be interacting with people from different fields and places” she said.

In 2006, the singer launched Gather for Children, an organisation that has assisted needy women in Namukozi with arable land for the past 12 years.

“I wanted to find a way in which I could give back to society,” Namubiru said. “So I decided to dedicate my time and funds to educating mothers on how to raise their children and devising ways in which they can make money. This year I'm planning to build them latrines. Any donation is welcomed”

Namubiru is also optimistic about the future. “I have shows scheduled throughout the year in Uganda and abroad. I am also working on new music and collaborations. It's important for artists to collaborate with those from outside their region for exposure and also because it provides a platform for artists to learn from each other,” she said.