From World Cup breakthrough to Europe’s radar: Brain Jjara begins Norway audition

The journey of Brain Jjara is moving at remarkable speed and now, it has crossed borders.

The 17-year-old KCCA FC midfielder has left Uganda for Norway, where he will be put through his paces by two of Scandinavia’s most respected clubs, Molde FK and Rosenborg BK.

For Jjara, this is not a sudden leap but the natural next chapter of a story that began with a historic breakthrough on the global stage. Last year, he became part of the Uganda Cubs side that carried the nation’s flag to the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time ever and he didn’t just attend, he stood out.

 

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Game after game, Jjara provided the engine in midfield. Calm in possession, relentless without the ball, and tactically mature beyond his age, he featured in every match as Uganda pushed all the way to the Round of 16, a run that turned curious glances into serious European interest.

Those performances were built on solid foundations at home. Born on October 4, 2008, Jjara is a product of the KCCA FC Soccer Academy, where his steady rise earned him promotion to the senior side.

During the 2024/25 season, he gained valuable experience with appearances in both league and cup competitions.

On the international front, he had already played a decisive role in history even before the World Cup, helping Uganda edge Gambia in the CAF playoffs to secure qualification a moment that changed the trajectory of many young careers, including his own.

Now, Norway has come calling. Molde and Rosenborg, clubs famed for polishing young talent and launching them into Europe’s bigger leagues, have opened their doors to the Ugandan teenager.

Over the coming weeks, Jjara will train, be assessed in match situations and attempt to convince both clubs that he is ready for the next step.

For a boy who was playing academy football not long ago, this is no longer just a dream, it is an opportunity knocking loudly.