David GOMBE
2024 saw the football fraternity lose some of the great servants of the game in Fred Kajoba, Peter Kabugo, Brian Muluuli, Era Mugisa, Ssenyange Ahmed and many other much-loved sportspeople.
Fred Kajoba
On May, 13th 2024, Ugandan football, on Monday, lost one of its most loyal, vocal and most sociable servants Fred Kajoba who died in Tanzania where he was serving as goalkeepers’ coach at Ihefu FC.
Kajoba served for more than 15 years as Uganda Cranes goalkeeping coach. He was also the Cranes goalkeeping coach at the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Gabon (2017) and Egypt (2019) under Serbian tactician Milutin Seredejovic Micho and Sebastien Desabre respectively.
He coached army side Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) mainly as Simba, Soltilo Bright Stars, Vipers before heading to Tanzania Premier League entity Ihefu Football Club.
Era Mugisa
Mugisa was the FUFA President from 1974 to 1976 and died on December 1, 2024, at the age of 70. During his reign, Uganda hosted football legend Pelé in 1976.
Mr. Mugisa also served as Uganda Cranes coach from 1962 to 1964.
Ahmed Senyange alias French Cut
Former KCCA FC winger Ahmed “French Cut” Senyange passed away on December 14th in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Senyange enjoyed an industrious career with KCC FC from 1989 to 1994.
In 1995, Senyange moved to Arua before leaving Uganda for greener pastures in the United States of America and later to the Netherlands in 2009.
Brian Mayanja Muluuli
Former Kitara, BUL FC and Police FC striker Brian Mayanja Mululi died on 19th October in Kasana, Luweero.
At the time of his demise, Mayanja was playing for FUFA Big League side Buhimba Saints United.
Mayanja’s football career significantly rolled off during his hey days as a student at Nakasongola Army School in the National Post Primary Schools competitions.
He went on to play for Kampala University (Luweero) in the Regional League under the guidance of coach Sadick Sempigi.
Mayanja tested the deep waters of the Uganda Premier League with Bright Stars and Soana FC and thereafter went on to feature for a number of clubs.
He played for BUL FC, Police FC, Lweza FC, Dove FC , Nyamityobora FC, Kitara FC, Jinja North United and also had a brief stint at Mbarara City last year.
Assistant Referee Peter Kabugo
On November, 1st 2024, assistant Referee Peter Kabugo Kabugo collapsed in the 70th minute of match day seven of the Uganda Premier league contest between SC Villa and UPDF FC at Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku.
By the time the ambulance rushed him to the nearby Bismillah hospital in Kitebi, Kabugo had breathed his last and was pronounced dead.
Rashid Agau
Agau Rashid, a former football player for Onduparaka FC, Maroons FC, tragically passed away on August, 24th 2024.
May their Souls Rest in Eternal Peace
