One of Uganda’s leading broadcasters and football live commentator , Charles Byekwaso is dead. He was 79 years old.
He died at Namutamba Health Centre Three this morning. The veteran sports commentator is rembered for relaying the 1978 Afcon event in Ghana and other big sports events.
He was a journalist who rose within the ranks from news reporting , editor, trainer and later manger at Radio Uganda under the then Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He was the NRM secretary of Bulerera sub-county in Mityana North constituency.
Veteran sports journalist Hassan Badru Zziwa writer in the Observer in 2017 , remembered Byekwaso who had cut out a niche in football commentary noting that it was during his commentary in the tournament held in Somalia in 1977 that he became a household name on the airwaves.
“Back then, we didn’t have the benefit of watching live games on TV. So, being the sole commentator at the tournament meant he was the only source of information about the game, ” Zziwa wrote.
He travelled along with The Cranes contingent as they sought to defend the title. While there, his comprehension of football tactics and rules greatly endeared him to the listeners back in Uganda.Coupled with his strong command of the English language, Byekwaso was flawless in his commentary and was the first to create a relentless 90 minutes of excitement and tension.
He even went a notch higher by introducing a new spin where he preferred to call players by things that best describe their style and attributes. For example, he called Leo Adraa Bomber, Mike Kiganda Computer, Ashe Mukasa Lord, Jimmy Kirunda Berlin Wall, Moses Nsereko Master Planner, Denis Obua Destroyer and Paul Ssali Commando, among others.
The final against Zambia was particularly a watershed moment for Byekwaso as he took the nation through a rollercoaster of emotions during the goalless 120 minutes before Uganda triumphed in the spot-kicks.
Byekwaso returned home a hero of sorts and garnered a fanbase never seen before for a commentator. At Radio Uganda where he worked, Byekwaso was a celeb of sorts and was often tasked to lead the commentary of domestic league games.
And he didn’t just stop at relaying matters on the pitch; Byekwaso was a keen observer of matters off the pitch and often criticized authorities without fear. He didn’t spare players, especially in cases of indiscipline. Such was his authority that many stakeholders sought his views on football matters.
Interestingly, only two languages – English and Swahili – were allowed for international games. So, that is how Muzungu Kanga became Byekwaso’s co-commentator by relaying the Swahili version.
The 1978 Nations Cup cemented his place as the country’s top commentator albeit in a way he couldn’t have envisaged. Byekwaso, renowned for his in-depth probing of player fitness and team tactics before every game, had written off The Cranes even before a ball was kicked.
The pessimist in him turned each game into a miracle until Uganda sent defending champions Morocco packing. Thereafter, he hyped The Cranes to a wholly different level as though they were the best in the world. I’m sure the semifinal victory over highly-fancied Nigeria is still etched in everyone who followed him that afternoon.
Even in the final when Uganda lost 0-2, he offered so much hope you would think The Cranes totally outplayed the hosts. Upon return, Byekwaso had established himself as one of the best in the region in the class of legendary commentators such as Kenyan Ronald Mambotera and Denis Liwewe of Zambia.
Zziwa further noted that Byekwaso often raised match stakes to create a do-or-die situation. During matches, he would sometimes seem as though he had fainted when The Cranes missed a golden chance.
He often wailed when Uganda was under siege. On the other hand, he had a trademark wild scream to signal a goal. Such was Byekwaso’s captivating style of commentary that he would make an ordinary league game seem like a World Cup final. At times, he would warn the fainthearted not to get near radios. I’m yet to find a commentator who makes fans cry tears of joy.
Byekwaso was so obsessed with the rules of the game that at one stage, he studied and qualified as a grade three referee although he never officiated any top-flight games.
PASSING ON THE BATON
Later in the eighties, Byekwaso was joined by budding sports commentators such as Francis Ojia (English), David Matovu (Luganda), Dan Byobyonka (Runyakitara) and Mike Arerenge (Swahili) to create a multilingual commentary that revolutionized modern commentary
By the time of his death he was a retired journalist in his home in Namutamba, .Bulera Sub-county of Mityana District in Central Uganda. He is survived by his wife Margaret Nansubuga.
