Mbarara City FC has been forced to start the last two seasons away from home with Kakyeka Stadium failing to meet the demands of the FUFA Club Licensing Committee. This has made the Ankole Lions tramps, hosting their league games at venues like Kavumba Recreation Centre, Bombo Barracks, Wankulukuku and Luzira among others. This season has not been any different from the previous one as the Ankole Lions sought temporary refuge at Maroons Stadium in Luzira and later Bombo Barrakcs. Definitely this has an effect on how the team struggles to hosting games ‘home away from home’ and the expenses that come along for instance accommodation costs.
Besides, the up country teams still command huge crowds during home games and Kakyeka stadium has not been a good hunting ground for many teams. That support alone is a push factor to the team’s performance. As earlier indicated, Mbarara City FC begun the season as hobos but when FUFA granted them a temporary license to return to their fortress towards the end of the first round, they won three games in a row including defeating Onduparaka FC, Kyetume FC and KCCA FC.
Whereas the country still faces a challenge of poor infrastructure (stadia), Mbarara City FC has failed to get a solution to this. Of course, Kakyeka Stadium is under the supervision of the Mbarara District Local government and they hire it out to different people for functions not related to football such as music shows, trade exhibitions and rally sprints. In the end, the playing turf is destroyed. It is therefore upon management of Mbarara City FC to ensure they closely work with the stadium owners to safeguard their interests or keep in a state of wandering from one place to another. Better still, they can seek for an alternative venue on the outskirts of Mbarara town and develop it.
The other key highlight for Mbarara City FC this season has been the poor or lack of decision making within the team’s top brass. And it’s been the case since they won promotion to the league three years ago. Brian Ssenyondo who began the season as the head coach was demoted to the Junior team, a decision he did not obey and decided to step aside. The club appointed Paul Nkata but could only last 21 days and he was shown the exit. Ssenyondo bounced back and brought the team back to the rails but amidst this resurgence, the Club chairman was in talks with other coaches like Wasswa Bbosa and Livingstone Mbabazi. Clearly, this showed lack of respect and trust in Ssenyondo.
Since his return, Ssenyondo has been in charge of 13 league games, winning seven, drawing three and losing only three.
Even with the departure of Paul Mucureezi who moved to Vipers SC at the start of the year, the youthful coach has been able to keep his team together with Brian Aheebwa shouldering the burden of scoring goals. He has eight goals this season and it’s one of the reasons why he was summoned to the Uganda Cranes squad that was preparing for 2020 CHAN.
Jasper Aheebwa, Pisitis Barenga, Solomon Okwlinga, Hillary Mukundane and Ibrahim Orit are some of the other palyers that stood out for Mbarara City FC this season.
With 5 games to the end of the 2019/20 season, Mbarara City FC is 7th on the league table with 36 points.
Mbarara City FC League games this season
Match 1: Mbarara city FC 3-0 Proline FC
Goals scored by Paul Mucureezi (Brace) and Brian Aheebwa
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Japer Aheebwa
- Zaidi Byekwaso
- Ronald Otti
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pistis Barenge
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Jude Ssemugabi
- Brian Aheebwa
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 2: SC Villa 3-1 Mbarara City FC
Goal scored by Brian Aheebwa
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Japer Aheebwa
- Stephen Othieno
- Ronald Otti
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pistis Barenge
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Jude Ssemugabi
- Brian Aheebwa
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 3: Police FC 0-0 Mbarara City FC
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Japer Aheebwa
- Zaidi Byekwaso
- Ronald Otti
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pistis Barenge
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Ivan Eyam
- Brian Aheebwa
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 4: Mbarara City FC 2-3 Express FC
Goals scored by Hillary Mukundane and Jude Ssemugabi
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Muhammad Ssekeba
- Japer Aheebwa
- Zaidi Byekwaso
- Ronald Otti
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pistis Barenge
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Ivan Eyam
- Brian Aheebwa
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 5: Vipers SC 2-2 Mbarara City FC
Goals scored by Hillary Mukundane and Paul Mucureezi
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Muhammad Ssekeba
- Japer Aheebwa
- Zaidi Byekwaso
- Stephen Othieno
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pistis Barenge
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Jude Ssemugabi
- Wol Makweth
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 6: Mbarara City FC 2-1 Busoga United FC
Goals scored by Brian Aheebwa and Paul Mucureezi
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- John Adriko
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pistis Barenge
- Soulemane Bamba
- Bashir Muweesi
- Brian Aheebwa
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 7: Wakiso Giants FC 2-1 Mbarara City FC
Goal scored by Ibrahim Orit
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- John Adriko
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pistis Barenge
- Soulemane Bamba
- Gadaffi Gadinho
- Brian Aheebwa
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 8: Mbarara City FC 1-2 Maroons FC
Goal scored by Jude Ssemugabi
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- John Adriko
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Zaidi Byekwaso
- Soulemane Bamba
- Jude Ssemugabi
- Wol Makweth
- Brian Aheebwa
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 9: URA FC 0-0 Mbarara City FC
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- John Adriko
- Zaidi Byekwaso
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pistis Barenge
- Soulemane Bamba
- Ivan Eyam
- Wol Makweth
- Jude Ssemugabi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 10: Tooro United FC 1-0 Mbarara City FC
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- Jasper Aheebwa
- Ronald Otti
- Hillary Mukundane
- Soulemane Bamba
- Raymond Onyai
- Ivan Eyam
- Brian Aheebwa
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 11: Mbarara City FC 0-0 Bright Stars FC
Mbarara City Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Zaidi Byekwaso
- Jasper Aheebwa
- Ronald Otti
- Hillary Mukundane
- Soulemane Bamba
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Brian Aheebwa
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 12: BUL FC 3-0 Mbarara City FC
Mbarara City Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Zaidi Byekwaso
- Jasper Aheebwa
- Ronald Otti
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pisitis Barenge
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Hudu Salim
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 13: Mbarara City FC 2-1 Onduparaka FC
Goals scored by Solomon Okwalinga (Brace)
Mbarara City Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- Jasper Aheebwa
- Hillary Mukundane
- Soulemane Bamba
- Pistis Barenge
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Brian Aheebwa
- Gadaffi Gadinho
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 14: Mbarara City FC 2-0 Kyetume FC
Goals scored by Ibrahim Orit and Dennis Lubowa (own goal)
Mbarara City Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- Jasper Aheebwa
- Hillary Mukundane
- Soulemane Bamba
- Pistis Barenge
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Gadaffi Gadinho
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 15: Mbarara City FC 2-1 KCCA FC
Goals scored by Swalik Ssegujja and Ibrahim Orit
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Muhammad Ssekeba
- Stephen Othieno
- Jasper Aheebwa
- Hillary Mukundane
- Soulemane Bamba
- Pistis Barenge
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Brian Aheebwa
- Paul Mucureezi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 16: KCCA FC 1-0 Mbarara City FC
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Muhammad Ssekaba
- Stephen Othieno
- Jasper Aheebwa
- Soulemane Bamba
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pisitis Barenge
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Brian Aheebwa
- Wol Makweth
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 17: Mbarara City FC 1-0 Wakiso Giants FC
Goal scored by Ibrahim Aheebwa
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Tom Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- Zaidi Byekwaso
- Soulemane Bamba
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pisitis Barenge
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Brian Aheebwa
- Ivan Eyam
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 18: Busoga United FC 1-0 Mbarara City FC
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- Jasper Aheebwa
- Soulemane Bamba
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pisitis Barenge
- Zaidi Byekwaso
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Brian Aheebwa
- Jude Ssemugabi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 19: Mbarara City FC 0-0 Vipers SC
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- Jasper Aheebwa
- Ronald Otti
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pisitis Barenge
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Brian Aheebwa
- Ivan Eyam
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 20: Express FC 0-1 Mbarara City FC
Goal scored by Wol Makweth
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Zaidi Byekwaso
- John Adriko
- Soulemane Bamba
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pisitis Barenge
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Ivan Eyam
- Wol Makweth
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 21: Mbarara City FC 1-0 Police FC
Goal scored by Brian Aheebwa
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- John Adriko
- Soulemane Bamba
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pisitis Barenge
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Jude Ssemugabi
- Wol Makweth
- Ivan Eyam
Match 22: Kyetume FC 4-3 Mbarara City FC
Goals scored by Steven Othieno and Brian Aheebwa (Brace)
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- John Adriko
- Ronald Otti
- Steven Kabuye
- Pisitis Barenge
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Brian Aheebwa
- Soulemane Bamba
- Raymond Onyai
Match 23: Onduparaka FC 1-1 Mbarara City FC
Goal scored by Brian Aheebwa
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Thomas Ikara
- Stephen Othieno
- John Adriko
- Soulemane Bamba
- Ibrahim Magandazi
- Pisitis Barenge
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Brian Aheebwa
- Jude Ssemugabi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 24: Mbarara City FC 1-0 BUL FC
Goal scored by Hillary Mukundane
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Muhammad Ssekaba
- Stephen Othieno
- Jasper Aheebwa
- Ibrahim Maganfazi
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pisitis Barenge
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Ivan Eyam
- Brian Aheebwa
- Jude Ssemugabi
- Ibrahim Orit
Match 25: Bright Stars FC 1-3 Mbarara City FC
Goals scored by Jude Ssemugabi(Brace) and Solomon Okwalinga
Mbarara City FC Starting XI
- Muhammad Ssekaba
- Stephen Othieno
- Jasper Aheebwa
- Soulemane Bamba
- Hillary Mukundane
- Pisitis Barenge
- Swalik Ssegujja
- Solomon Okwalinga
- Brian Aheebwa
- Ivan Eyam
- Ibrahim Orit
