Bernard Muwanga has been the unlikely inspiration driving Bright Stars FC up the final straight towards promotion to the super league and has also helped the side lift the 2012/13 Fufa Big League title.
Last Saturday, the defender celebrated captaining the side to glory by beating CRO FC in the finals of the Big league to lift the trophy. For starters, Muwanga joined Bright Stars FC in 1997 as a kid when the club was just at its infant stage and was handed the captain’s armband in 2005. He is still a one man club and thankfully, he has navigated all the competitive divisions of Ugandan league football with the Kawempe based side. Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga talked to him after the triumph over CRO and below are the excerpts.
How does it feel leading the club to super league?
Mere words can’t explain how ecstatic am. It was a dream I embarked on in 2007 and thank God it has come to pass. Glory be to God the almighty for this day.
What do you attribute success to?
There are a lot of things and not just one. Like i said, God made everything possible for us. I also attribute success to the club management for being very supportive towards the cause in all sorts of manner. The technical team led by Coach Kayanja, the players and the fans who have supported the club with unending love.
How ready are u as a team for the super league?
If we weren’t ready, we wouldn’t have qualified. We are very ready to dine with the big boys of the super league.
What do you consider your targets in the first season in topflight football?
First things first and our aim is to avoid relegation. It’s difficult to fight for the title at the first asking but am confident we can stay in the super league for some long time.
As a captain, does it come with pressure?
Of course yes. As a skipper, people consider you to be perfect on and off pitch and sometimes forget the human part of you and that is enough pressure. For instance, at Bright Stars, the captain gets to know the expenditure of club on training and match day thus you put in mind how much loss the club incurs in case you lose a game. This comes with its pressures too. And the crowd always think that the captain doesn’t make mistakes on the pitch yet even the best players in the world do. However, I am a leader who has learnt to live with it.
How does it feel playing in the same team with veteran Jamil Kyambadde; one of the best talents Uganda has ever produced?
He is an inspirational figure in the dressing room, on pitch and off it. He is a leader who gives us courage to push on and we have learnt a lot from him. At Bright Stars, we refer to him as coach player. When things are not going our way, he gives us confidence and encourages us to be calm. We are lucky to have him in our team. The best player I have ever played with without doubt.
Talking of Kyambadde as the best player, tell me the toughest opponent you have ever faced?
Soana FC striker Peter Ssenyonjo. He is the only player that gave me hard time at something I guess I do best. I consider my greatest asset as aerial ability but Ssenyonjo disproved when we played Soana.
Who inspired u to play football?
It was my uncle. Though he didn’t play the game to the highest level, he was always my inspiration.
Who is the player u admire most?
In Uganda, it’s obviously former Cranes skipper Ibra Ssekagya. He makes the art of defending appear easy. He is a great talent. Internationally, Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic. He is a beast who never allows any striker settle on the ball. He uses his brain and physical nature in equal terms. He is one of the best headers of the ball in the world and I enjoy defending aerial balls. He is one of the best defenders in the world.
After captaining the side to promotion, what is the next dream you want to achieve in your career?
I would like to play for Uganda Cranes. Donning the national team jersey is extremely the pinnacle of any player’s career in my opinion.
Lastly, congratulations upon gaining promotion to the super league and winning the Fufa Big league crown?
Thank you
