Former Cranes star Charles Livingstone Mbabazi has been appointed the new coach of newly promoted topflight side Bright Stars FC Kawowo Sports has learnt.
The former KCC FC and St. Patrick FC Athletic midfielder replaces Coach Kayanja who guided the club to the super league right from the regional league through the Fufa big league.
Impeccable sources from the Kawempe based side indicate that the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) refused to release Kayanja on a full time job thus the need to replace him though he will remain at the club amongst the coaching staff.
Mbabazi spent last season at rivals Wandegeya FC where he doubled as coach and player but made his name at KCC FC before joining St. Patrick FC of Ireland where he played between 1999 and 2003.
Who is Charles Livingstone Mbabazi?
Born on 18 October 1980, Mbabazi was a versatile player with the ability to play on either wing or as a forward. Locally, he played for SC Villa and KCC FC before joining Ireland’s St. Patrick popularly known as Saints.
Mbabazi made his Saints debut on St. Stephen’s Day 1999 against Athlone Town in the Leinster Senior Cup. Mbabazi became a huge fans’ favourite, scoring his first goal against Longford Town in a League match at Richmond Park.
In June 2002 Mbabazi scored against HNK Rijeka in the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup. This game went down in history for ‘Pats’ as it was their first ever win in European club competition. After going through on away goals he again netted in the next round in the home tie against K.A.A. Gent.
In 2003, he was forced to retire due to a heart problem after collapsing on the pitch in a league game versus Bohemians. His testimonial against a Brian Kerr select took place in November 2004 before his return to Uganda.
However, he returned to playing football in 2006 Hà Nội ACB where he featured till 2008 before joining Binh Duong FC in 2009.
Mbabazi won over twenty caps for Uganda.
