Princess Katrina Ssangalyambogo on her love for sport, Rashford & Man-U 

KATRINA-SARAH SSANGALYAMBOGO, 21, is the articulate, humble and eloquent daughter of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda.

She is a university student in the UK, but while on Christmas holiday in Uganda, she talked to Quick Talk at the weekend and explained why she is truly, madly and deeply in love with sports.

The royal, who watched various matches at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, speaks with a heavy English accent but is measured, respectable, calm and collected.

What are you doing now, Katrina?

I am a third-year student of Business Management at the University of Nottingham. I intend to go into sports marketing and sports management one day. Right now I am pursuing this general degree after which, I will embark on gaining experience and then do a Masters.

Ultimately, my aspiration is to attain the qualifications to work in sport. It is something I cherish because I have a genuine love for everything related to sport. It is something that gets my juices flowing.

You are royalty. Are you treated like one in England?

No, not really. The truth is that most of my friends don’t really know that. And I am comfortably okay with it. Many know me as Kat or Katrina. I also don’t bring it up. Just a few know. But also, I don’t want to engage in what they call okwelaga [showing off]. I try to be me. I am a free, simple person and want it to remain that way.

You have a keen interest in sport, where does it stem from?

That comes from myself. It is not a household thing. It started with swimming [the princess was a national team swimmer in 2014].

But then my interest grew into other sports. I play basketball and volleyball, follow football with a passion and also watch Formula One. I love sports very much. I love what sports does; it brings joy and happiness. I got this love from no one, it just happened to be a lifestyle that I chose.

You were once a star swimmer. What has happened?

That fact is that swimming is very consuming. It is very much a part of your life. It was taking a lot of my time. I could barely do anything else.

In Peponi in Nairobi where I studied, I was the head of sports. That meant that I could diversify and have a go at other games. I was the captain of football and the captain of basketball. Don’t get me wrong, swimming is lovely. But it is so consuming and yet I wanted to be part of the other sports at the school.

Unless you are doing it for competition, swimming is not something I enjoy the way I do for the other games. But when I do want, I dive into the pool. But not as regularly as I used to.

On social media, such as Tik-Tok, you are renowned as a staunch Man United fan who has actually watched a game or two at Old
Trafford….

Yes, I do love the club. I was attracted to the club by the great manager Sir Alex Ferguson and striker Marcus Rashford. In the case of Fergie, I always liked him. He was passionate, driven and likeable. He is the embodiment of the modern day standing of the club. United is my team through highs and lows and it will always be.

And are you a Man United season-ticket holder?

No, I am not, but I’m a member of Manchester United. Those are two different things, being a member of Manchester United and being a season-ticket holder of the club. But I have watched matches at Old Trafford. Being a member of the club is simply down to applying online. So, it is not a very complicated process.

Could your friends at school have influenced the choice of club?

I will say yes. Many friends at Peponi were supporting Manchester United. So that did have an effect on me. But that period, of 2016 or thereabouts, is when Rashford also emerged as the next big thing at the club. He is my favourite at Man United. For me, Rashford and the story of Sir Alex Ferguson compelled me to follow Man United with all my heart. I really, really like Marcus Rashford.

You were in Qatar for the World Cup; which games did you watch?

I watched Netherlands vs Argentina, Morocco vs Portugal, Argentina vs Croatia, France vs Morocco and Morocco vs Croatia.

You met the famed commentator Peter Drury in Qatar. What did it mean for you as a sports enthusiast?

It was great being able to put a face to the voice of Peter. His commentary amplifies the game and brings in excitement and anticipation.

What food does Katrina love?

I do love my food; my favourite is pizza, burgers and prawns [no matooke and kinyeebwa, your royal highness?] I am also a big fan of chilli fries.

What about traditional dishes?

I am a lover of matooke and fish stew.

How old are you, by the way?

I am 21 and will be 22 in July 2023. My date of birth is July 4.

Are you dating someone?

Right now, my focus and emphasis is on school. I am not dating anyone [she chuckles] and that is not something on my mind right now. Let me first get done with school. And then we shall see what happens after.

What type of friends does Katrina have?

Well, that is an interesting question. I have friends of various kinds. I have Kenyan and Ugandan friends right from my school time at Peponi.

In fact, some of them, who were with me in Nairobi, have since enrolled at my university and we have continued our bond. And then I have friends I have made at school either through academics or through my passion for games like soccer, volleyball, Formula One and basketball.

It is a mishmash of so many different people and nationalities that I got to know in various ways.

And finally, when was the last time you spoke to your famous dad and mum?

[Giggling…] I am home and they are here. When I am in Uganda I spend as much time as I can with them. I try to be a home person when I am in Uganda. So, to answer your question, I last spoke to them today. And I am going to have dinner with them in a few minutes from now.

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