Former Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) chairman Michael Nuwagaba has been elected to the Executive Board of the Africa Cricket Association (ACA), signaling a renewed push for development and unity across African cricket.
Elected alongside six other directors during the ACA’s 27th Annual General Meeting held in Singapore, Nuwagaba will serve a three-year term through 2028. His candidacy received overwhelming support, winning 19 of the 22 member votes—a strong endorsement reflecting confidence in his leadership credentials.
The newly constituted board includes high-profile cricket administrators: Tavengwa Mukuhlani (Zimbabwe), Rihaan Richards (South Africa), Uyi Akpata (Nigeria), Stephen Musaale (Rwanda), Franklyn Conteh (Sierra Leone), and Polly Negongo (Namibia). Mukuhlani was also unanimously confirmed as ACA Chairman after serving in an interim capacity since November 2023.
Nuwagaba, who stepped down as UCA chairman earlier this year, emphasized a forward-looking agenda for African cricket. “We have re-organised ACA governance through a new constitution and mended our relationship with the ICC,” he said. “Our next focus is commercialization—generating revenue to financially support member countries within the next five years.”
Plans are already underway to host a revived ACA Cup later this year, potentially in Zimbabwe or South Africa. In a bid to globalize African cricket, the board also aims to sign memorandums of understanding with the Asian Cricket Council and Cricket West Indies.
A key highlight of the ACA’s new strategy is its commitment to grassroots development. Nuwagaba confirmed that 20% of all revenue generated will be reinvested in member nations to support youth programs and local infrastructure.
The ACA, which currently operates on a limited budget sourced from member subscriptions and legacy funds from the Afro-Asia Cup over a decade ago, is poised for transformation under the new leadership. The board is now targeting the launch of an Africa Premier League and a continental women’s tournament to elevate Africa’s presence on the global cricket stage.
“If we can organise one major tournament this year, next year we will aim for three,” Nuwagaba said. “Our long-term goal is to grow African cricket activity sustainably while creating elite pathways for our players.”
