Zaina Namuleme Parts Ways with Rayon Sports After Brief Rwanda Spell

Crested Cranes versatile midfielder Zaina Namuleme has mutually parted ways with Rwandan women’s champions Rayon Sports WFC after a brief two-month spell with the club, bringing an early end to a move that had been expected to strengthen the side ahead of its CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers campaign.

Namuleme joined Rayon Sports as a free agent from Kenya Police Bullets, making the switch to Rwanda with considerable experience at both club and international level. Her arrival was viewed as an important addition to the Rwandan champions as they sought to negotiate a demanding regional qualifying campaign and secure a place in the next stage of the CAF Women’s Champions League.

The midfielder made her competitive debut during Rayon’s campaign and featured in the club’s draw against Mafunzo FC. However, her involvement was cut short in the subsequent match against Denden FC when she was forced off with an injury during what was otherwise a comfortable victory for the Rwandan champions.

The injury proved costly for Namuleme as she was subsequently unavailable for Rayon’s crucial Group encounter against South Sudanese side Yei Joint Stars. The match ended 1-1, a result that ultimately saw Yei Joint Stars secure the coveted semifinal place as group winners and bring Rayon’s qualification hopes to an end.

Her short stay in Rwanda therefore ended with Namuleme having made only limited appearances, despite joining the club with the intention of playing a significant role in their continental campaign. The mutual decision to part ways now allows both the player and the club to move forward as they reassess their respective plans.

For Namuleme, the latest move marks another chapter in a career that has largely been built around consistency, versatility and experience at the highest levels of women’s football in the region.

Before moving to Rwanda, Namuleme spent nine seasons with Kampala Queens, where she established herself as one of the club’s most dependable players. Her long association with the Kampala side provided the foundation for her development and saw her contribute to the club’s pursuit of domestic success.

Her time at Kampala Queens also brought her a league championship, giving her a taste of domestic title success before she embarked on the next stage of her career. After nine seasons with the club, she moved to Makerere University in 2024, seeking a new challenge and an opportunity to continue developing her career.

Namuleme subsequently moved to Kenya Police Bullets, where she spent the 2025 season before attracting the attention of Rayon Sports. Her move to Rwanda represented another step in a career that has increasingly taken her beyond Uganda and into the wider East African women’s football landscape.

At international level, Namuleme has been an important figure for Uganda’s Crested Cranes for nearly a decade. She made her senior national-team debut in 2016 and has since become a familiar presence in the national setup, bringing experience and tactical versatility to the midfield.

Her leadership qualities were also recognised when she was handed the captain’s armband during Uganda’s most recent CECAFA Women’s Championship campaign in Tanzania last year. Wearing the captain’s armband further underlined the trust placed in her by the national technical team and her standing among Uganda’s senior women’s players.

Namuleme’s ability to operate in different midfield roles has been one of the defining features of her career. Her versatility has made her valuable to both club and country, particularly in competitions where squad depth and tactical flexibility can prove decisive.

Although her time at Rayon Sports has ended earlier than anticipated, Namuleme’s immediate future is already attracting considerable interest. Her availability comes at a time when several clubs across the region and beyond are continuing to strengthen their squads, particularly those preparing for domestic title campaigns and continental competitions.

Multiple regional and continental clubs are understood to have expressed interest in securing her services, although her next destination remains unknown. With her experience in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, coupled with nearly a decade of international football, the midfielder is likely to have several options to consider before deciding on the next chapter of her career.

The mutual departure also gives Namuleme an opportunity to recover fully from the injury that disrupted her continental campaign and assess the best environment for the next phase of her career. At the same time, her track record means she is unlikely to remain without suitors for long.

For Rayon Sports, the departure represents another adjustment following their disappointing CECAFA qualifying campaign. The Rwandan champions will now have to reorganise their squad and look elsewhere for the experience and versatility Namuleme was expected to provide in midfield.

For the Crested Cranes, meanwhile, Namuleme’s next move will be worth monitoring closely. As a player with extensive international experience and a proven record across East African club football, her choice of destination could have implications for her preparation and availability for future national-team assignments.

For now, the midfielder’s next club remains a mystery, but one thing is clear: Zaina Namuleme’s experience, versatility and proven record have ensured that her departure from Rayon Sports is unlikely to mark the end of her regional football journey. Instead, it could be the beginning of another significant chapter in a career that has already taken her from Kampala Queens to Makerere University, Kenya Police Bullets and now Rwanda.