Andrew Buteera was once looked at as the future of Ugandan football, especially in the midfield, before frustration from the federation took its toll on him and he switched allegiances to Rwanda.
He together with a host of teenagers guided the East African nation to the 2011 U17 World Cup in Mexico and the road to greater heights started for the budding midfield gem as then Rwanda’s head coach Milutin Sredojević entrusted Buteera with the Amavubi Stars creative responsibility.
At the 2011 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Tanzania, Buteera put up man of the match performances as he guided Rwanda to final against Uganda only to suffer an ankle injury that would take long to heal.
And the road to recovery has not been that easy with the lifestyle outside football also not helping, Buteera lost his slot at the national team and fell out of favor with the national team.
But as APR won the 2015/16 Rwanda Premier League, their 15th, Buteera played an integral part especially in the second round alone and he seems determined to rediscover himself especially after signing a two deal with the army side.
Buteera told The NewTimes, a Rwandan newspaper that also reported that the player in his 20s was given RWF3m (about Shs12m) as sign on fees and is entitled to a monthly salary of WRF0.5m (about Shs2m) and other bonuses;
I am super excited about staying at a competitive football club and I cannot wait to get onto the pitch again and help my club to go to the next level. The most important aspect is that I have people who support me and are there for me.
The former Proline FC midfielder revealed that it’s not all about money but playing regularly is his utmost target.
I wanted to play and that’s what I asked and I told my bosses what I want. It is not about money or anything else, for me it’s purely about playing regularly. I am happy that I am playing and I will continue to work hard.
Buteera and company have a busy 2016/17 season as the club seeks not only to defend the league title but also to win back both the Peace Cup and CECAFA Kagame Cup, in addition to competing in the CAF Champions League.
And to achieve all that, supersport.com also reported that the army side has signed the Police FC trio of captain and left-winger Innocent Habyarimana, holding midfielder Amran Nshimiyimana and goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure for a combined Rwf24m ($32,130).
