Mbarara Utd established a Congolese ‘district’

Coached by former SC Villa, Express and Cranes midfielder Moses Ndaula, Mbarara United FC was a giant killer. Its spine was built around Congolese imports and the team was sometimes referred to as a Congolese district.
In 1998, while still featuring in the Super League, Mbarara United had a strong squad that included Shabani Nonda, Mirambo Kimonto, Assan Bajope, Timba Ngoro, Babe Mbirika, Bana Zidane, Philip ‘Pitchu’ Gasana, Tabu Ley and Hakim Ley.

With stiff competition, Nonda failed to get a starting place and left Uganda. He briefly went to South Africa before finding a way to Switzerland’s FC Zurich. He would later play for Rennes, Monaco, AS Roma, Blackburn Rovers and Galatasaray.
Mbarara failed to license Bajope and he travelled to Rwanda before heading to Kampala, joining KCC. In fact, Bajope never played for Mbarara in any competitive game. He was followed by Toto Songe and Zidane, who joined Express while Moses Muhindo ended up at KCC. In more ways than one, these departures, coupled with administrative woes, led to the collapse Mbarara United.

Standing, L-R: Wahab Muhiirwa: He was the third choice goalkeeper after Laban Agaba and Innocent Ssebaale. At this time, Muhiirwa was a student at Ngabo Academy. He was discovered by coach Moses Ndawula during Ngabo’s friendly match against Ntare School at Kakyeka Stadium. Unfortunately, Muhiirwa never got enough playing time due to Agaba’s form and consistency. Currently doing business in Kampala.

Ismail Ndawula: Strong and robust, Ndawula was good at shooting from long range. He could play across the frontline and flanks. He joined Mbarara United from Masaka S.S. He is currently settled in Masaka.

Philip ‘Pitchu’ Gasana: A giant defender, Pitchu, as he was commonly known, was good at reading the game and thwarting strikers on the ground and in the air. After Mbarara United’s relegation, he played for a host of clubs in Rwanda before returning to Uganda in 2006 to play for Biharwe FC. Fire Masters FC snapped him the following year and he played for the Kibuli-based club until 2009 when he joined SC Villa. He lasted two years at Villa Park before retiring. He is believed to be in Rwanda or D.R. Congo.

Eric ‘Musujja’ Erikhe: He was the tinniest member of the team, hence the moniker ‘Musujja’. Ironically, he was very hard on the ball and rarely lost possession. He was good at passing and dead ball execution. Where Erikhe lacked in skill, he excelled in tenacity and never-say-die attitude. He was the perfect foil for the more skilled and tantalizing midfielders like Hakim Ley. However, Erikhe often failed to control his temper and received more bookings for dissent. After Mbarara, he played for Burundi’s Vital’O and Rwanda’s APR. He is currently a truck driver in Congo.

Raule Rukusa: Nicknamed ‘Ofwono’ because of his height, the 6’3” Rukusa was the only player in the league that could give Express captain George Ssemwogerere a bloody nose in aerial challenges. The two would attract attention whenever they met. Rukusa was never lethal in front of goal but would provide the required hard work and aerial presence. In fact, he created most goals for Abdul Senga and Ndawula than none else. He is currently in Belgium.

Moses Muhindo: He was the team’s reliable left-back. Muhindo was recruited by team manager Hajji Abdul Kyambadde from Bwera FC in Kasese. He right away dislodged Moses Lwasa from that position until he joined KCC in 2003. He played for the Lugogo side until 2009 when he retired. He is currently doing business in Kampala.

Kambere Foko: He was the most hard-tackling defender in this team. Once, there was a joke that his teammates also feared getting close to him during training sessions. His height notwithstanding, Kambere had brains for a center half and kept his place in the team for more that eight years. He is coaching in Congo.

Moses Ndawula (coach): Believed to be one of the best midfielders in Uganda Cranes during his time. Ndawula is a brother to former Cranes players Sula Kato and Meddie Lubega (RIP). He played for SC Villa and Express in the 1970s and 1980s and is currently back to Masaka, his home area.

Front row, L-R: Moses Kimbowa: He was recruited from Ngabo Academy with Muhiirwa but his stay at Mbarara was cut short by persistent injuries. He retired prematurely and is believed to be settled in Mubende.

Moses Lwasa: A tough defender whose take-no-prisoners approach to the game endeared him to many Mbarara United fans. Lwasa was recruited from Masaka and immediately became an important figure in the team. He was able to play across the whole backline and was the vice captain to Abdul Senga. Currently in Kampala.

Innocent Mukole: The marauding right back, Mukole was a rock in the team’s rearguard. He played almost every game and gave his all. Kyambadde recruited him from Bushenyi and was one of the most popular members of the team. Mukole was a loyal player; he was there when it got relegated and played for it in the lower division. He is currently coaching Kyogyera FC in his home district of Bushenyi.

Laban Agaba: The team’s first choice goalkeeper. He was a safe pair of hands but was also weak at controlling his emotions. Sometimes he would shed tears after conceding goals. His form in 2004 earned him a call-up to the national U-23 side, The Kobs. But he never played for the team. Agaba is now into private business, owning a restaurant in Kampala.

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