Kabugo’s hot, cold journey finally lands him his dream

KAMPALA. That moment on the evening of November 15, 2014 at Namboole will forever be gripped into Savio Kabugo’s memory.
It was rewards from years of hard work at Proline, and early promising days of the now defunct Sports Club Victoria University all coming full circle in one surging run; one headed winner against Ghana’s Black Stars before the adoring 30,000-plus fans.

As Mike Sserumaga prepared to take a corner in this 2015 Nations Cup qualifying match, Kabugo - who made his Cranes competitive debut against the same opponents four matches earlier in the 1-1 draw in Ghana – made a committed run from his half under then Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic’s frantic urging on the touchline.

Sserumaga drilled it in past everyone in the Ghanaian box but Kabugo, who had taken his position at the far post, emphatically headed it home to spark off Usain Bolt-esque-gun posturing celebrations. Namboole went frenzy on the youngster’s first competitive goal for the Cranes and, having played every of the five Afcon qualifying games with measured confidence for a 20-year-old then, the country was convinced the star had arrived.

The set-back
Kabugo went on to play in the final game of qualification, the 2-0 defeat away to Guinea, which was incidentally his last in senior Cranes as tragedy later befell a hugely promising talent. Little did Savio Kabugo know that what started as some small, nagging pain on his upper left shin (tibia area) late 2014 would escalate to keep him out of football action for two-plus years.
Kabugo endured a frustrating and agonising 2015, seeing him join KCCA but the player hardly kicking a ball over the six months at Lugogo. He, however, managed to recover from his mysterious injury fully, playing the 2016-18 Uganda Premier League (UPL) seasons with URA and Proline.

The God-blessed move
The central defender has recently been playing with SC Villa until what he calls a dream move came his way – a three-year contract with DRC giants AS Vita last week.
“All was perfect,” Kabugo told Daily Monitor after the Congo club, who bought out his Villa contract at an undisclosed fee, confirmed the move, “I honestly don’t know how it all happened. It was a God-blessed move.
“All I can say is it has been God from the beginning and everywhere.” Kabugo is a known born again Christian.
“He has been my redeemer. He played all parts because I don’t know how this happened. But I can say God has never let me down. It’s been God throughout.”
Kabugo moves to a territory that has had mixed fortunes for Ugandan players. And he knows.
“This Vita deal is a big one and a dream of many players at home so am going to give my best,” he vowed.
“I’m going to Vita to play football, not to tour. I’m going to play my heart out because am capable and I believe a lot is still coming my way with prayer, patience and hard work. “I want to play my part and help Vita win trophies. This is what I have all along been waiting for - to see a professional in me do what I believe am capable of.”

Kabugo becomes the second Ugandan to play for Vita following striker Yunus Sentamu. He also joins compatriot Joseph Ochaya, who features for TP Mazembe, in DRC. Vita were runners-up in the 2018 Caf Confederation Cup and are already in the group stage of the Caf Champions League.