Ex-player Nkemba to head SC Villa interim committee
Change of guard (L-R): Hajj Omar Mandela, Franco Mugabe, Haruna Jjagwe, William Nkemba and Jaffer Ndawula pose for a photo after yesterday’s meeting. Photo by E. Chicco
Kampala- The storm had threatened to blow Villa Park away. But collected heads have since replaced stormy ones, and interim calm has since taken position at Uganda’s most successful football club.
Coaching disagreements saw both Wasswa Bbosa and Paul Mukatabala end the season at crossroads, and suspicions between former Villa president Ben Misagga and Fufa, whom he blamed for his hard fall, had all left a stench at what was already an unpleasant reek at the club.
It is such events that partly led to Fufa stopping Villa scheduled elections over a week ago. Fufa, however, cited unclear club statutes for their intervention. That was followed by Misagga throwing in the towel as club president. Uncertainly had since ruled until Friday night when stakeholders including Misagga himself, Fufa president Moses Magogo – who is also a Villa fan, former club president Franco Mugabe, long-serving treasurer Hajji Omar Mandela and other historicals and fans met to chat a way forward.
An interim committee has since come into place. William Nkemba, a Villa great and former player has been handed the audacious task to lead the transition.
Club faithful Norbert Kazibwe is the interim secretary, Hajji Haruna Jjagwe treasurer, Moses Matovu technical chairman and James Serebe club CEO. Joseph Kizito is a member.
“The team’s chief role is to hold forte for the next three-six months,” said Hajj Mandela, “In that period, they will organise elections that will be free and fair. It will be a very transparent process.”
“Thereafter, SC Villa will have a new leadership and the new president of the club will appoint his own team. The interim committee will conform to the federation’s guidelines on club elections.”
Former club president Mugabe explained the historicals’ return to the club’s rescue.
“The former leadership stepped down and as founders and former chairmen, we felt it was only right that we step in and preside over a smooth transition,” he said.
“These are experienced people in football and we have given them the mandate to manage Villa operations for now.”
Mandela, a former club treasurer, told Daily Monitor that “The Committee will look into all the issues affecting the club including hooliganism, funding and player recruitment.” The interim committee is set to meet Villa players tomorrow. On whether Mugabe, Mandela and company are planning a comeback through the ballot, Mandela was dismissively firm.
“We served our time and are not interested in coming back into the leadership of the club,” said Mandela. Villa fans will be lifted by the return of the figures with whom the club’s most glorious era is associated with.
The Jogoos have not won the league since 2004.
Interim committee
Chairman: William Nkemba
Secretary: Norbert Kazibwe
Treasurer: Haruna Jjagwe
Technical Chairman: Moses Matovu
Member: Joseph Kizito
Member: Jaffer Ndawula
CEO: James Serebe
