Everyone Must Play their part well: Leadership Lessons from the URSB Sports event
By Mercy K. Kainobwisho, Registrar General,
As we stepped into the new financial year 2025/2026, what better way to launch it than through unity, energy, and teamwork on the sports field? On Saturday, 26th July 2025, I had the honor of participating in the URSB Staff Sports Day, a day that turned out to be more than just a fun break from routine. It became a vivid metaphor for life, leadership, and the workplace.
The field came alive with sack races, relays, tag of war, football, and much more. Laughter echoed. Team chants filled the air. There was cheering, sweat, hustle, and teamwork. What stood out most was this: on the sports ground, we were all equal. Job titles, age, rank, religion, region, none of it mattered. For that day, we were not CEOs, Commissioners, Senior officers, officers, or administrators- we were teammates. And everyone had a role to play.
Are You Playing Your Part?
Watching staff dive into the games made me pause and reflect as a leader: Is everyone playing their part in the bigger game of URSB?
In sports, success is not accidental. It takes participation, discipline, and coordination. The same applies in our offices. You cannot win by sitting out. Teams don’t score by watching from the sidelines. The energy and commitment we saw on the field is the very spirit we need to carry into our daily work.
Powerful Lessons from the Field
1. The Sack Race – Personal Endurance
It was fun to watch, and even funnier to see colleagues participate. But the lesson was clear: even when the journey is slow or clumsy, keep hopping forward. No one hopped backwards. Your role at URSB might come with challenges, but don’t give up. Learn to walk in that sack. Progress is still progress.
2. The Relay – Trust & Succession
Each runner in the Relay had one job: run well and pass the baton. Without trust and timing, the race is lost. At URSB, we must build systems that allow seamless handover of responsibilities, information, and leadership. No one runs the race alone. We must run together.
3. Tag of War – Strategy & Strength
It was interesting to watch teams position their best members and especially the strongest players.
In fact, it wasn’t just about who was stronger; it was about who pulled together. The best teams were those that listened, positioned themselves well, and coordinated efforts. This mirrors the workplace: a disjointed team, no matter how talented, cannot win. We must learn to pull together as URSB. Do not use your strength and connections to tear URSB apart.
4. Football – Every Role Counts
We had a number of football games.
These games reminded us that every player on the pitch matters. From striker to goalkeeper, every position serves a purpose. The same goes for URSB; whether you are on the frontlines or in the background, your contribution matters.
5. The wheelbarrow Game: your progress depends on another
Then came one of the most entertaining events of the day, the wheelbarrow game, where one team member had to push another (who posed like a wheelbarrow) across the finish line. It drew laughter, yes, but it also carried a deep lesson: sometimes, progress depends on someone else’s strength, patience, and support. And at other times, you are the one who must carry another forward. Are you supporting your colleagues?
The Cheerleaders – Silent but Strong Support
Not everyone was on the field. Some were cheering, tallying scores, picking balls, serving food, or observing quietly. Yet, their presence made the event all the more beautiful. This is a reminder that even when you are not in the spotlight, your support role is valuable and deeply appreciated.
Staying the Course: Some Will Leave, Others Will Fall, but the Mission Must Continue
As the games progressed, we noticed some colleagues quietly stepping away. Some left early due to family or personal commitments. Others got bored and tired. Others were not patient to wait until the end. Others stayed until the very end. This reminded me that even in the workplace, and in life, people will leave the journey at different points. Their departure doesn’t mean the mission stops. The game must continue to the end.
The injuries: Setbacks will always happen
We also had a few colleagues sustain minor injuries during the games. Thankfully, our First Aid team was on standby and quick to help. This, too, is symbolic: on any worthwhile journey, there will be setbacks, stumbles, and disappointments. But we must not retreat. Instead, we learn, recover, adjust, and keep playing.
The Reality of Participation: Life Moves with Those Who Show Up
While we celebrated those who showed up, it’s important to acknowledge that some staff did not show up, and others didn’t send apologies. Others were not aware of the event. That, too, is a reality of life and leadership.
Not everyone will participate. Not everyone will show up. Not everyone will care about the bigger picture. But here’s the key lesson: The game must go on. Life must go on.
The sack race didn’t stop because someone was missing. Football still kicked off. Food was served. Goals were scored. Laughter filled the air. Why? Because those who came showed up fully. And always show up for anything fully.
In life and work, progress doesn’t wait for the absent. Even if I hadn’t showed up myself, the event would have still happened and with joy. This is the beauty of empowering people and putting systems in place. Goals don’t pause for permission. We must move with those who are ready, willing, and present.
This is not to disregard others, but to remind us that momentum must be protected. Leadership requires that we honor the willing, inspire the hesitant, and still press forward with the committed. We must establish processes and systems that enable us to implement activities independently of individual personalities.
A Call to Action: Let’s Play Our Parts and play them well
The sports day was a powerful reminder that URSB is our field. Every target is a goalpost. Every department and Unit is a team. Every staff member is a player. And every action, no matter how small, contributes to the final score.
As your leader, I recommit to playing my part and playing it well. And I invite each of you to do the same, show up, take your place, and give your best.
Together, we will build a stronger, more unified, and more impactful URSB.
Let’s play, learn, grow, and win together at Team URSB.
