At just 17 and 11 months years old, Lillian Nakiirya has announced her arrival on the senior international stage in the most emphatic way possible with a clean sheet in Uganda’s dominant 5-0 win at the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship.

Representing the Uganda Women’s National Team for the first time at senior level, the teenage goalkeeper delivered a performance marked by calmness, confidence, and class. Her debut was not just a proud moment for the player and her club, St Noa Girls Football Club, but a symbolic moment for the future of Ugandan women’s football.

Lillian enters the national spotlight having already established herself as arguably the best goalkeeper in the country for the 2024–2025 season. Playing for St Noa, she conceded just five goals all season, helping her team to a string of victories and earning plaudits from coaches and fans alike.”She’s been nothing short of exceptional this year,” said a coach from St Noa. “Her discipline, focus, and leadership from the back make her mature beyond her years.”

Lillian’s journey to the senior team has been paved by consistent excellence at youth level. She has been a standout performer for both the Uganda U17 and U20 national teams, gaining valuable international experience and developing a reputation as a shot-stopper with quick reflexes and commanding presence in the box.

Those who have followed her career closely say her senior debut was inevitable just a matter of time. And last night, she proved them right.
In a match where Uganda dominated the attack, Lillian’s role was no less crucial. She kept her backline organized, made key saves when called upon, and played with a calmness that belied her age. The clean sheet capped off a flawless debut and sent a strong message to the continent.

“Making my senior debut is a dream come true,” Lillian said after the game. “I’m grateful to my coaches, teammates, and everyone who believed in me. This is just the beginning.”

With performances like this, Lillian Nakiirya is more than just a rising star she’s a symbol of the bright future of Ugandan women’s football. At 17, she has the world at her feet and the full confidence of a nation behind her.

As Uganda continues its campaign at CECAFA, all eyes will be on the teenage sensation between the posts. And if this game was anything to go by, the future is indeed in very safe hands.