By Kent Kenneth Arereng
The Inspiring Journey of Nsumba Venacious — From the Streets to International
Football.
Nsumba Venacious was born into hardship and adversity. He grew up on the streets of
Kampala, surviving in some of the city’s toughest areas including Kisenyi, Kivulu, Kakajjo
Zone, Owino Market, and Nakasero Market. Tragedy struck early in his life — he lost his father
at the tender age of three. For a brief period, he lived with his mother, but fate dealt another
cruel blow when she developed a severe mental illness and began roaming the streets,
naked and helpless. Heartbroken and with nowhere else to turn, young Nsumba fled his
village and found himself living on the streets of Kampala.
Life on the streets was brutal. Nsumba spent two years scavenging for scrap bottles and
metals to earn a little money for food. On many days, he survived on leftovers from garbage
bins in places like Owino Market, Shoprite, Nakasero Market, and Kikuubo. But even in those
darkest moments, hope was not lost.
His turning point came when he was rescued by Retrak Uganda, a non-governmental
organization located near Lubiri. This marked the beginning of a new chapter. From there,
several organizations stepped in to support and nurture him, including Peace for Children
Africa (PCA), MYDEL Youth Academy, and Craft Aid UK — a UK-based charity led by Lara
Bishop. These organizations not only provided him with shelter and education but also
helped uncover and develop his incredible talent in football.
With their support, Nsumba returned to school under sponsorship from Craft Aid UK, and
his goalkeeping skills became a beacon of opportunity. He earned a scholarship by
representing his school as a goalkeeper and quickly rose through the ranks thanks to his
determination and natural talent.
His football journey has taken him far beyond Kampala. Nsumba was invited for trials by
Hyeres FC, a French Ligue 2 team, and also received an invitation for a football assessment
with Pretoria Callies FC in South Africa. His skills earned him a place on Uganda’s national
U-20 team for two major tournaments — the CECAFA U-20 Championship in 2022 and the
AFCON U-20 tournament in 2023.
In recognition of his growing talent, Nsumba signed a one-year contract with Chitipa United
FC, a top-tier team in the Malawian Premier League.
Nsumba’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how hard life begins, resilience, talent,
and support can change the course of a life. His journey from the streets of Kampala to
international football is a testament to the power of never giving up.
