Richard Makumbi’s future at newly promoted Mbarara City F.C has for long been a hot subject of discussion.
A lot has been speculated and certified reports have often linked him away from the premier league new comers that he helped get promoted from the Big league.
However, all is now in the past following a one year contract extension with the Ankole Lions.
The gaffer, best known for helping clubs attain promotion signed an “improved” one-year deal on Thursday.
According to the club media officer, Mike Ddungu, Makumbi’s future at least for the next 365 days was secured at the Mbarara based club.
“He (Makumbi) signed an improved one year deal with Mbarara City Football Club and we are proud to have him around,” Ddungu revealed.
He is tagged the “promotion master” for having a hand in helping a number of clubs from the murky waters of the lower division to the ‘creme de la creme’.
This was testament at Soana, BUL, Fire Masters, SCOUL, Fire Masters, Bunamwaya, Victors FC, Entebbe (handled club briefly) and lately Mbarara City.
Prior to renewing his contract, he was officially approached by relegated Sadolin Paints to help them ascend the promotion ladder swiftly.
Discussions nevertheless failed to yield fruitful dividends and Makumbi had no other chance than to return to the club that hosts their home games at Kakyeeka stadium.
I am very happy to have signed a new contract. We worked extremely hard to have the team’s promotion to Uganda super league, which I am very proud of.
Now we must work even harder to stay at top flight league.
Makumbi recently completed his CAF ‘B’ licence studies (awaiting results).
He will be assisted by Vialli Bainomugisha, formerly of Lweza F.C.
Mbarara City pre season preparations:
Like most clubs, Mbarara City continues to prepare for the virgin season.
From player recruitment, intensified training regime and warm up games, the Ankole Lions have not been left out of box.
In the three warm up games played so far, 2 have been draws; 2 all against Ntoda and 1 all with Vipers with a slim 1-0 victory over Express FC, on the day the club held an official fundraiser.
On board are new signings goalkeeper Ali Kimera, exciting Swed Satugombo, hard working right back Zaidi Byekwaso, Francis Mustafa, Arishe Asuman Kihogo, Pistis Barenge and Fred Kalanzi.
For Starters, Mbarara City was formed in 2016 following a merger with Wakiso United, that was in the second division league then.
They played in the FUFA Big league under the Rwenzori group, finishing 3rd behind leaders Masavu and second placed Synergy to qualify for the promotional play offs.
In the play-offs, they saw off Ndejje University in dramatic fashion, scoring a last gasp equalizer before winning the tense penalty shoot-out 5-4.
Come the promotional final, Mbarara City overcame a hard fighting Synergy outfit 2-1 in a pulsating match played at Lugogo under scorching sunny conditions.
South Sudanese goal machine Mawekth Wol was the hero with a well taken brace to see the Western region once again return to the top flight division after the yester-years of Biharwe, Horizon, Mbarara United, Ruhinda and the like.
The club director is the Western region Youth member of parliament, Mwine Mpaka.
Among the key aspirations for the club this term is to play purposeful football and collect important points, well for them to survive relegation.