The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) on Friday appointed Ethiopian coach Firew Hailegebreal Asefa as head coach of Uganda’s women’s national teams. He will lead the senior Crested Cranes, the Queen Cranes (U20) and the Teen Cranes (U17).
FUFA unveiled him at its headquarters in Mengo, Kampala, and announced that he will hold the role until 2029. Some local reports describe the contract as a two-year deal.
Firew replaces Sheryl Botes Ulanda, whose contract was not renewed. He joins at a busy time, as Uganda prepares to face Zambia in the Olympic qualifiers this month.
He comes from KCCA Women FC, formerly Kampala Queens, whom he coached for two years after joining in November 2024. He guided the club to the 2024/25 FUFA Women Super League title in his first season, and reports say he also won the FUFA Women’s Cup.
Before moving to Uganda, Firew coached Ethiopia’s senior and junior women’s national teams. His biggest result there came in 2021, when his Ethiopia U20 side beat hosts Uganda to win the inaugural CECAFA Women’s U20 Championship at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
His first job will be to prepare the Crested Cranes for the Zambia tie and to build the junior sides for upcoming regional and international fixtures.
