Godfrey Walusimbi, who played defense for the Uganda Cranes and was known as “Jajja Walu,” has said that he will stop playing football after 20 years.
Walusimbi started his career in 2000 at Mpigi United FC before joining Sports Club Villa as a youth player, and he later signed his first professional contract with the same club in 2007. He has played for both local and international clubs, including SC Villa, Bunamwaya FC, Don Bosco in DR Congo, Gor Mahia of Kenya, Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa, and Vllaznia in Albania.
He made his senior national team debut in 2009 and has been a strong pillar of the national team, where he has made 105 appearances in the Uganda Cranes jersey. Walusimbi was part of the historical squad that played in the 2017 African Cup of Nations after breaking a 39-year-old jinx.
He was also among the few players who returned to Egypt in 2019 as the Cranes made it two back-to-back qualifications and now joins a growing list of colleagues to hang the boots. Those who have retired in recent years include Mike Azira, Denis Onyango, Hassan Wasswa, Tonny Mawejje, and Murushid Juuko, among others.
Walusimbi, who is retiring at 33, said that he will now delve into coaching because he believes football is part of his life.
Walusimbi said in a statement dated October 5, 2022, that he was sure he wouldn’t miss playing football. He also said that he would go straight into football management or coaching. “I am so excited to start the next challenge and hope to approach it with the same determination I had as a player,” he said.
Andy Mwesigwa, his former captain on the national team, applauded Walusimbi for consistency, which he says is one of the challenges Ugandan players face.
I will remember him as one of the most talented left-footed players. He was a committed guy during my time there. We won the CECAFA tournament with him and later played with him in the AFCON qualifiers. “He is consistent and very hard-working,” Mwesigwa said.