By 
Express FC were declared the Uganda Premier Champions for the 7th time in their history after the FUFA Executive Committee took a decision to end the season following the suspension of sports activities in the country by the government due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
FUFA applied Article 12 of the Competitions Rules to award the table leaders Express FC the league title with the aim of helping the clubs to meet the registration deadlines for the upcoming CAF Competitions.
Express FC amassed a total of 58 points from 26 games out of the 30 games which were supposed to be played to end the season.
But how has a side which had cemented its position as a mid-table team for the past years came to this feat?
Kiryowa Kiwanuka
Well, The Red Eagles’ journey to redemption started when Kiryowa Kiwanuka took charge of the club from the then Youth Minister, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, little was thought of what could be done to get the club back into the old self.
Character, connections and precision are terms that can best describe Kiryowa Kiwanuka’s reign at one of Uganda’s oldest football clubs.
Kiwanuka’s first year as president had a lot of challenges but his experience in institutional management was the stepping stone into the first steps of recovery. The manner in which he brought sanity within the club’s administration away from the ruins he found it was just the better of beginnings.
All the club needed was sanity and calm and allow systems to operate, unlike the predecessor’s moments which were full of negative publicity, a lot of public talks and a tainted image. It was illogical to present players in their former club jerseys
During Nakiwala’s time as club president, Express FC unveiled Eric Masika in his former club (AFC Leopards) jersey – Courtesy photo
The club did not need that and this can be confirmed by the turnaround of events surrounding the club.
Financial Boost
From all the connections the new chairman had, it was for the greater good that he captured the partnerships and sponsorships with Buganda Land Board who had made the Betway Muteesa II stadium become a hell for the home side. The acquisition of Equity Bank, one of the biggest betting companies Betway, MSL Logistics, and cab company SPESHO meant that the financial status of the taken a turn for the better.
Isaac Mwesigwa
The acquisition of a new club Chief Executive Officer, Isaac Mwesigwa, who had spent a very long time at KCCA FC, working indirectly with Mike Mutebi and Aggrey Ashaba meant he had gained the experience to manage a football institution.
The way he assembled his administrative line with Peter Tabbu only meant the direction of the team had taken a better turn.
If you consider the branding and image he created around the team, it is safe to say his hand had already demystified the past deeds of the club, which had seen them become associated with ‘lunatics full of violence and hooliganism.
Technical Team
When the club confirmed the acquisition of Head Coach Wasswa Bbosa to replace club legend George Ssimwogerere towards the end of the 2019/20 season, it was all painted in black and white that the “Mukwano Gw’abangi” had gotten the man tailored to serve their purpose.
Wasswa Bbossa had amassed experience in working with low budgets, controversial fans and also learned to deal with the players around the league. He had managed to help Villa finish second in the 2016/17 season, he also helped Tooro United finish fourth (their best finish ever) in the 2018/19 season before returning to the club.
He had earlier on in 2012 helped the club clinch their sixth title. He was a hungry man, his desire was to return to the club that gave him the first opportunity to coach at the top level. he knew what was required to be successful at the club. He had come of age.
The fact that his team was beefed up with a strength and conditioning coach, a former ladies rugby national team player and fitness trainer Hellen Koyokoyo Butema whose role was to oversee the physical strength and fitness of the players was one of those rare considerations for any low budget clubs, yet in actual sense, it is the most important as regards to player performance. His club was one of the fittest by far in the league this season.
It was not the first time Wasswa Bbosa was working with James Odoch and Sam Kawalya, all of whom also played for Express FC. This meant they were united as a team and all knew what it meant to be at the Club. The final piece in the puzzle was the acquisition of Daniel Kiwanuka as goalkeeping coach from KCCA FC. Kiwanuka had seen the rise of Charles Lukwago and a host of other goalkeepers at the Lugogo based side which meant that it was the right fish to catch in the lake there was for a club vying for the title. This could be the main reason why Mathias Muwanga who was struggling to keep balls out of his net at season turned out to be one of the best players in the league.
Also, the addition of Lewis Ainebyona to the technical department as a performance analyst was a sign that the club was taking a professional route.
Bossa fishes in old boys
Head Coach Wasswa Bossa was given the freedom to sign his own players and he indeed used the opportunity to bring in his old boys who have worked with him at different clubs.
Many will not realise this but Wasswa Bbossa is arguably the best player scout that the country has and this can be confirmed after he used the players he had acquired just a few months ago to claim the title. Most of the instrumental players had just come into the club and the little time it took them to transition from their former clubs and put up the performance they did at the club was confirmation he had found the right players for the team.
Godfrey Lwesibawa joined Express FC at the start of the season from Tooro United – Courtesy photo
Godfrey Lwesibawa, Charles Musiige, Mahad Yaya, Abel Etrude, George Ssenkaaba, Issa Lumu, John Byamukama, Arthur Kigundu, Ibrahim Kayiwa Cryspus Kusiima, and Martin Kizza later were some of the star performers that Bbosa had shipped in at the start of the season.
The signing of experienced defender Murushid Jjuuko
Express FC continued to show their dominance in the transfer market when they signed Uganda Cranes experiences defender Murushid Jjuuko.
Jjuuko who was club-less following the expiration of his contract with Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca joined the Red Eagles on a one-year contract.
He brought experience and leadership to the squad and has been at the heart of an Express defence that has conceded the least number of goals (13) in the Startimes Uganda Premier League this season.
Other Important signings and retaining important members of the old crop
Express FC was spot on in the transfer market as they made important signings beef up the old crop of players who included Erick Kenzo Kambale, Frank Kalanda, Frank Ssenyondo, Sadick Ssekyembe among others.
Among the new signings was Enoch Walusimbi who joined the Red Eagles from Solitilo Bright Stars FC who was later made the club skipper and he’s addiction indeed bared fruits.
Erick Kambale Kenzo playing like a man possessed
Kambale’s performances during the season have seen him win the most important games for the club in its quest to the title.
The Congolese born splendid form throughout the season with no doubt has helped the club to reach this feat.
Kambale has swooped six man of the match accolades, 15 league goals, and has assisted five times.
