Mujib Kasule's heartfelt tribute to fallen Willy Kyambadde

Jamil Willy Kyambadde during his last days as an active footballer at Bright Stars

OBITUARY Mujib Kasule's heartfelt tribute to fallen Willy Kyambadde

Allan Damba 11:41 - 12.06.2023

Former Uganda Cranes midfielder Willy Kyambadde has been pronounced dead in the wee hours of Monday at his home in Kawempe, Kampala.

While the official cause of his demise is yet to be known, reports have indicated the former Express FC star slipped and fell, eventually breathing his last.

Kyambadde has meanwhile in the recent past, battled liver complications that allegedly stemmed from alcohol abuse, which also had him taken for rehabilitation.

He had since left rehab about three months ago, and was reportedly out of danger at the time he departed.

Willy Kyambadde was out of rehab at the time of his demise|courtesy image

His former teammate, Mujib Kasule, who is currently a CAF coaches' instructor and director at Proline FC, has described Kyambadde as talented and inspirational in his playing days.

"Kyambadde was loved across the divide," revealed Kasule in his engagement with NBS Sport on Monday.

"He was so talented and you could adore him even though you were a KCCA or SC Villa fan," he added.

Kyambadde (L) as an Express fc player|courtesy

The pair player together right from the youth level at Kayofa in Kawempe, Naggalama Secondary School and at KCCA FC in 2000.

"If you saw him play, he would inspire you to play the game as well, he made it look easy. He would take on an entire eleven of your team."

"I brought him at Proline because I needed someone to teach my young players football while on the pitch."

"He still had a lot to give to the game, but unfortunately his couldn't allow," a teary Kasule added of Kyambadde.

Kyambadde (yellow) in the evening of his career with Proline|courtesy image

Besides Express over two spells, Kyambadde also featured for KCCA FC, Arua Young, Jomo Cosmos of Zambia, Dongtan Long An FC of Vietnam and Soltilo Bright Stars in 2012.

For the Cranes, he played for eight years since 1996 to 2004. He was a key part of Uganda's U-23 team that reached the semi-finals of the South Africa 1999 All-Africa games.