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BVB
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Mbale Heroes are at risk of going into administration amid a disastrous FUFA Big League Campaign in a disastrous campaign that even recently saw them field only nine outfielders for a league clash.
Mbale Heroes, a club with a storied past, could become the first to test the Federation of Uganda Football Associations' (FUFA) regulations on club ownership as their current crisis deepens.
After a 17-year absence, the club celebrated a return to the Uganda Premier League last season, only to be immediately relegated. Their troubles have followed them back to the FUFA Big League, where they currently sit in the relegation zone with just seven points from a possible 24.
While a poor start to the season is not always a cause for alarm, the circumstances of their recent 2-0 home loss to Bright Stars painted a grim picture. Mbale Heroes fielded only nine players and lacked a licensed goalkeeper, forcing defender Abraham Okello to take up the gloves. The scene was a stark illustration of a club teetering on the brink.
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Leadership Vacuum and On-Field Disorder
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The club's problems escalated when chairman Andrew Wambi and his executive team stepped down. This left the club's patron, Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, who is reportedly preoccupied with presidential campaigns, to manage the club's affairs. While his sister, Jessica Muduwa, and counsel Geoffrey Odur Ojok have attempted to steady the ship, the leadership gaps have been painfully evident.
Acting CEO Bosco Wamududa acknowledged the internal issues that led to the team's depleted lineup last weekend.
"What happened was an issue of being different from some senior players and injuries," Wamududa explained. "That’s how we ended up having a small, incomplete team during the last outing."
Despite the challenges, he insisted that Muduwa remains dedicated to the club's stability. "She might not be available, but she is doing everything possible to ensure that we move and everything is going on," he added.
Crippling Financial Constraints
The on-field chaos is a symptom of severe financial hardship. Wamududa revealed that several licensed players, including Paul Musamali, Cosia Waiswa, and Peter Ssenkungu, failed to report for duty, with some rumored to have left the country. The team's options were further limited as younger, school-aged players and double-licensed loanees from Bul FC were unavailable due to national exams.
"Three of those boys are candidates… even the ones from Bul like Lwenda Sowedi, Mpasa Swabil, and Achidi are all sitting exams," he noted.
Following an emergency meeting on Monday to address player welfare, Wamududa expressed confidence that the squad would be at full strength for their upcoming away match against Kaaro Karungi.
However, counsel Ojok was more direct about the club's financial state. "We are doing everything possible, but the truth is that the team is struggling to restructure, and the truth is the team is struggling financially," he told Saturday Sports.
This financial strain could trigger Article 2 of FUFA's regulations, which allows the federation to place a club into administration. Under this rule, FUFA would temporarily take over the club "until new owners are found or when current owners fail to financially sustain it."
Whether FUFA has the resources to successfully manage a club through such a process is an untested question. If the situation worsens and no new ownership materializes, Article 10 gives FUFA the power to revoke the club's Certificate of Ownership entirely. For now, Mbale Heroes may inadvertently become the proving ground for a regulation whose real-world application remains to be seen.
FUFA Big League Weekend Fixtures Soltilo Bright Stars vs. Onduparaka – Lugazi Bunyaruguru United vs. Nebbi Central – Kasese Ntugasaze vs. Catda – Mityana Kataka vs. Paidha Black Angels – Mbale City Stadium Kiyinda Boys vs. Iganga United – Betherm City Ground Kaaro Karungi vs. Mbale Heroes – Kyamatte Play Ground Wakiso Giants vs. Blacks Power – Hamz Stadium Kigezi Homeboyz vs. Young Elephant – Kigezi