Mutyaba quits with no regrets at 26

In terms of football, Mike ‘Sulaiman’ Mutyaba is rated in the same bracket as the legendary David Obua, only that he never fulfilled his potential like the latter.

Yet in terms of riches amassed from the beautiful game, Mutyaba is in the exclusive class of Ibrahim Sekagya, Andrew Mwesigwa, Obua, Timothy Batabaire, Denis Onyango and Jackson Mayanja.

Earlier this week, the attacking midfielder, in his late 20s, hang up his boots – due to a gruesome recurring knee injury that doctors in China advised will not heal if he stayed in action.

Having played for Wembley, Kitende, Vipers (thrice), Al-Merriekh, Express, TP Mazembe and Uganda Cranes, the playmaker leaves the stage with hope of returning as an administrator.

For now, Mutyaba’s main focus is superintending over his fast growing business empire that includes rentals, farms, purchasing and leasing plots of land and importing merchandise from Asia.

Mutyaba, a family man with three kids prepared for post football life, something that remains a myth to many footballers here and abroad.

Young orphan
At a young age, Mutyaba lost his dad, Robert Sserunjogi and it dawned on him that he was to take over family responsibilities. The demise of his dad took its toll on his mother Christine Nakazzi, who died a few years after.

“We had no shelter but I managed to study at Masaka Baptist and KY Primary School from where renowned scout Eddie Butindo got me to join Sir Apollo Kaggwa PS,” Mutyaba reminisces.

Butindo introduced him to the Kampala Kids League (KKL) Soccer Academy and took him to Kyambogo PS when Sir Apollo expelled him for unruly behavior.

After Primary Seven, in which he scored aggregate 12 despite studying for one term and skipping Primary Six, Mutyaba was admitted at Standard High Zzana and played football under the tutelage of coach Edward Kaziba.

“He (Kaziba) got me an elderly woman that looked after me but still the conditions were not good,” he says in an interview at his posh residence in Mutundwe valued at Shs200m.

After impressing at Standard and making a name as one of the most promising players in Uganda, Mutyaba went to St Mary’s Kitende director Lawrence Mulindwa and promised to join his school if he gave him Shs500,000 to bring his two siblings out of the biting poverty in Masaka.

“I handed over my three-year-old brother to the matrons in Kitende. Just before completing O-Level, I got my sweetheart Janat Namukwaya with whom I live,” Mutyaba recounts.

His career blossomed at Kitende winning the school a couple of trophies and attracting European scouts.

Changing faith
It was in 2010 that teammate Habib Kavuma (now at KCCA) inspired Mutyaba to join Islam. Kavuma’s down to earth demeanor and transparency made Mutyaba change heart - opting for Sulaiman because of its connection with wisdom and commitment.

England adventure
His never say never attitude, the diminutive structure notwithstanding, earned him a place on the Sweden-bound KKL team where he impressed scoring 26 goals in five games.

Soon he was in England for trials at Yeovil, Crystal Palace, Fulham and narrowly missed out on training at Manchester United’s Carrington.

A passport mishap derailed his professional opportunities and he was soon back at Vipers winning the 2010 Uganda Premier League crown. At one moment, Mutyaba worked as a house boy in London before Excel Academy’s Patrick Gwayambadde came to his rescue.

Cranes stint
The then national team boss Bobby Williamson liked Mutyaba’s playing style so much that he was an assured starter in a star-studded Cranes side.
“I played for all levels of the national team and won the Cecafa Cup but I will never forget the barren draw with Kenya that ensured we missed out on Afcon,” he revealed.

Many still blame him for missing a clear cut chance but he says the ball was beyond his reach.
Mutyaba says in the era of Bobby, it was rare to see the Cranes camp in power and money wrangles because junior players respected seniors like Obua and Sekagya.

Professional career
At Vipers, he got the money to buy land in Wankulukuku but the person he gave money to build him a house conned him. His short-lived stay in Sudan opened the money gates. Luckily, when he was released to DR Congo giants TP Mazembe he got $30,000 (about Shs90m then) as a sign on fee.

“I went mad when TP Mazembe owner (Moise Katumbi) gave me a full bag of dollars to share with my agent and the Sudanese club. I gave $8,000 (Shs24m then) to the driver and banked the rest.”

Mulindwa advised him to buy plots of land and sell off if he felt like building houses or joining trade.
“I have mansions, rentals, farms, shops in town and currently importing merchandise but I don’t want to show off like the Basama (read Ugandans living abroad).”

Mutyaba prefers to keep the reasons for his brief stay in Congo to himself but remains grateful to Vipers for offering him a place to call home.

“I will never forget the complicated game we played Enyimba in Nigeria (Vipers lost 2-0 and were ejected from the Caf Champions League), we were mistreated,” he says.

After his Kent Academy project suffered a stillbirth due to allegations of taking players abroad under false pretence, Mutyaba abandoned the idea of coaching.

He wants to delve into football administration and Fufa president Moses Magogo has promised him support and guidance.

Years Team
2008 – 2011 Bunamwaya SC
2011 – 2013 El-Merreikh
2013 – 2014 TP Mazembe
2014 – 2015 Vipers
2015 - 2016 Express/Vipers

National team
2011 - 2014 Uganda Cranes

Mutyaba at a glance
Full name: Mike ‘Sulaiman’ Mutyaba
Date of birth: 23 March 1991 (age 26)
Place of birth: Masaka
Height: 1.66 m (5 ft 5 1/2 in)
Playing position: Attacking Forward

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT HIM
Wasswa Bbosa (former Express tactician): He was like a father to players at Wankulukuku.
Mike Mutebi (KCCA manager): He never fulfilled his potential like Saddam Juma, Moses Oloya and Simon Sserunkuuma. He can still be of great value even in retirement.
Edward Golola (Kitende/Vipers): Mutyaba knew his background and worked hard. I don’t remember a game Kitende lost with him playing.