Uganda’s football security heavyweight Dixon “Bond” Okello has once again done what he does best — keeping football events safe, organised and under control on one of East Africa’s biggest stages.
Okello was part of the security operations during the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup in Kigali, Rwanda, a tournament that brought together leading clubs from across the CECAFA region.
The competition ran from July 24 to August 7, with matches staged at the refurbished Amahoro Stadium and Kigali Pelé Stadium.
The tournament eventually ended with Rwanda’s Rayon Sports being crowned champions, completing a memorable home campaign in front of their passionate supporters.
For Okello, the Kigali assignment adds another major tournament to an already impressive international football résumé.
The Ugandan is a FIFA and CAF-certified safety and security specialist who has handled high-profile assignments at continental and global football competitions. FUFA previously highlighted his work at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where he was among the CAF safety and security officers.
His reputation was further strengthened when he received the CAF Safety and Security Officer Award, recognising his work in managing stadium safety, crowd control, risk assessment and match-day operations.
Okello has also continued to upgrade his expertise. In February 2026, he acquired a Sport Safety and Security Specialist certification, adding another qualification to his FIFA and CAF credentials.
The Kigali tournament therefore provided another opportunity for the Ugandan specialist to demonstrate the experience that has earned him assignments at some of Africa’s biggest football occasions.
The 2026 Kagame Cup featured 12 clubs from across East and Central Africa, including Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC, Rwanda’s APR FC and Rayon Sports, Kenya’s Gor Mahia and Tusker, Tanzania’s Simba SC and Singida Black Stars, as well as Al Hilal of Sudan and representatives from Zanzibar, Somalia, South Sudan and Djibouti.
With Rayon Sports emerging as champions on home soil, Kigali successfully brought the regional football showpiece to a close and once again, Uganda’s “James Bond” of football security was at the centre of keeping the action safe and orderly.