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Following his impressive stint at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Egesa is now bringing his expertise to the youth football scene at this prestigious tournament.
The second edition of the CAF African Schools Football Championship features top-performing school teams from across the continent.
The tournament, which has seen participation from approximately 900,000 players at various stages, showcases the best young football talent in Africa.
Uganda is proudly represented by St. Mary's Boarding Senior Secondary School, Kitende in the boys' category, and Kawempe Muslim Secondary School in the girls' category.
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While the boys' team has been knocked out of the tournament, the girls' team is advancing to the semifinals in fine form.
Egesa describes his experience at the tournament as "rich," praising the high level of football and officiating.
"The level of football and officiation is absolutely up there," he said.
"I believe this is a major milestone that we shall look back to a couple of years from today and say, that was the genesis of what's great with African football at that time."
The tournament is not limited to young players; it also includes programs for young reporters, coaches, and referees. Representing Uganda among the referees is 17-year-old Jabeth Elly Ojilong, a student from Amus College.
Ojilong is one of the youngest referees, with the youngest being 15 from Libya and the oldest 22.
For Egesa, this is his first time providing commentary for an under-15 age group, and he finds the experience thrilling and competitive.
He emphasizes the importance of focusing on youth development to cultivate a strong football identity in Uganda.
"This might be a direction that needs to be furthered, especially in view of a holistic approach to developing the football game in the country," he noted.
Egesa also observed a unique strength in Ugandan teams—the effective use of long throw-ins.
"I didn't know we as Ugandans are devastating at the use of the long throw-ins for both boys and girls," he said.
"Maybe it's a technique to encourage and fully harness as a nation."
The championship offers substantial prizes, with the first-place winners receiving $300,000, the second-place winners $200,000, and the third-place winners $100,000.
These significant incentives underscore the tournament's role in fostering young talent and promoting football excellence across Africa.
Jermaine Egesa's participation and insights at the CAF African Schools Football Championship not only bring pride to Uganda but also highlight the potential and opportunities within youth football.
His observations and experiences are set to contribute to the ongoing development and success of the sport in Uganda.