There is no doubt that SC Villa is the most successful club in the history of Ugandan football.
Call them The Blues or The Jogoos, they have won a record 16 titles, three more than closest challengers KCCA, nine Uganda Cups, 3 Cecafa Kagame Cups (the most by a Ugandan club) and a couple of other minor titles.
SC Villa also boast of the record of being one of the two Ugandan clubs to play in the continental final – the Caf Champions League.
Nevertheless, there is also no doubt that the club have fallen from their glory days. So low they have gone that at some point they were facing the chop from the top flight as recent as 2018/19 season.
While the last time the Jogoos lifted a league title was 20 years ago, their rivals KCCA have been crowned league champions six times in the same period.
At the moment, the club is working on restoring the past glory days starting with restructuring ownership with reports showing a Board of Trustees has already been agreed on.
Among the Members on the inaugural board include Ahmed Omar Mandela, Franco Mugabe, William Nkemba, McDusmas Kabega and former finance Minister Gerald Ssendaula.
But as they build for the future with the hope of reclaiming the title for their success-deprived fan base, Ismael Kiyonga takes a look at the club’s last heroes who won them the title in 2004.
Denis Onyango
He was third in the pecking order then. In one of the games against Ruhinda, he featured as a forward and bagged hattrick in that campaign.
Onyango has since become a Uganda Cranes legend and features for South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.
Hannington Kalyesubula
He was second choice to the big Posnet Omwony and a good deputy at that.
Kalyesubula has since retired from the beautiful game and has worked as a Goalkeeping coach at Busoga United and BUL FC.
Posnet Omwony
First choice at the club then and also for the national team. Omwony later featured for Bloemfontein Celtics in South Africa.
He stays in South Africa and is a goalkeeper coach at Mpumalanga Black Aces.
Andrew Mwesigwa
A budding centre back that later captained the Jogoos. He is currently in the country after retiring from the game and owns a high school and football academy. He had a successful career in Kazakhstan, Iceland and China.
He is now into education with a school in Wakiso District.
Timothy Batabaire
The indefatigable centre back as hard as a rock. Batabaire worked as a pundit with Kwese TV but now often appears on SuperSport and lives in South Africa where he had a brilliant career after leaving SC Villa featuring for Bidvest Wits and Bloemfontein Celtic among others.
Robert Tumusiime
Nicknamed ‘Kolobola’ by the Jogoos fans for his hard-tackling game. His partnership with Batabaire ensured the Jogoos conceded only 12 goals in 29 games.
Godfrey Kateregga
A fullback who could play on either flank of the defence though he was better as a right back.
Simeon Masaba
The right back displaced Kateregga and later made the position his own not only for Villa but Uganda Cranes too.
He has since ventured into coaching and of recent, he was coach at Onduparaka and is now an assistant coach at BUL.
Peter Makanga
Makanga currently works with Edgars Youth Academy. He played at left back for Villa that season filling the void left by Nestroy Kizito.
Phillip Obwiny
Arguably the most versatile footballer the country has produced.
Edgar Watson
One of the most successful club captains in Ugandan football. The midfield gem ended his Villa career a season later. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Fufa.
Hakim Magumba
The central midfielder nicknamed Boda Boda because of his pace was a joy to watch in the blue and white of SC Villa.
He currently runs a personal business in Kampala. Magumba came out of retirement ten years later to win the Stanbic Uganda Cup with the same club in 2015.
Emmanuel Balyejus
He was nicknamed ‘The Computer from Iganga’ by Coach Micho. He currently lives in his home town in Iganga.
Nathan Mutenza
A fine crosser of the ball who chipped in with a couple of goals as well in the campaign. Reportedly resides in Eastern Uganda, his home area.
Stephen Nsereko
He lives in USA where he moved after a short spell at Villa Park. Always played as a winger who offered pace.
Dan Obote
The versatile defensive midfielder resides in his native home in Lira where he is involved in football management. He is also part of the Lango Province staff.
Phillip Ssozi
A joy to watch on both wings. Ssozi is one of the legends at Villa Park and recently handled the team’s Junior Team.
Joseph Kabagambe
He ranks high amongst the most effective right wingers in Ugandan clubs and international football. He also featured for a couple of clubs in Rwanda and Sudan.
Augustine Nsumba
One of the youngest players at the club then and highly rated by the coaches.
Nsumba was a joy to watch before he left the club for paid ranks in Iceland.
Morley Byekwaso
Bernard Mwalala
Byekwaso is described as a traitor by many a KCCA fan. But he is treasured at Villa for his heroics in helping the club win the Kagame Cup in 2003 and the league in 2004. He is currently at SC Villa as an assistant coach to Dusan Stojanovic.
The lead striker for SC Villa in the season. Mwalala has since ventured into coaching and has handled Bandari FC among others.
Aloysius Lubega
The lanky forward also contributed to the cause with a couple of goals for Jogoo. He lives in Kampala and goes about personal business.
Alex Isabirye
The fans nicknamed him Trezeguet in reference to the France legendary forward.
Isabirye, who scored loads of goals off the bench, ventured into coaching and has managed URA, Nyamityobora, Vipers, and Express among others.
Chrisantos Amboka
The Kenyan striker has since returned to his home country. He scored a number of goals including the winner against URA in Villa’s third game of the season.
Ismail Kigozi
Kigozi was arguably among the most gifted centre forwards at the club although he didn’t blossom as much as he had done at Masaka LC.
The FULL Squad
Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango, Hannington Kalyesubula and Posnet Omwony
Defenders: Andrew Mwesigwa, Timothy Batabaire, Robert Tumusiime, Godfrey Kateregga, Phillip Obwiny, Simeon Masaba and Peter Makanga
Midfielders: Edgar Watson, Hakim Magumba, Emmanuel Balyejusa, Nathan Mutenza, Stephen Nsereko, Dan Obote, Phillip Ssozi and Joseph Kabagambe, Augustine Nsumba, Morley Byekwaso
Forwards: Bernard Mwalala, Aloysius Lubega, Alex Isabirye and Ismail Kigozi, Chrisantos Amboka
Can the current crop, led by skipper Kenneth Ssemakula, end the 20-year jinx?
This article was first published on August 18, 2020
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