After earning an opportunity to represent Uganda in the Caf Confederation Cup come 2025/26 season, NEC has expressed readiness to carry the flag.
NEC finished second in the premier league but earned the continental spot after Vipers beat KCCA in the Uganda Cup final to claim a double.
“We are ready,” replied Lieutenant General James Mugira, National Enterprise Corporation CEO, the body that funds the football club.
“We understand the expenses involved but we have partners, sponsors and individuals who will ensure all logistics are available to enable us compete and represent the country,” he added.
Mugira was also delighted at how big the club has contributed to NEC’s public relations.
“Before the football club, not many people knew anything about the enterprise but the awareness it has created is massive,” he affirmed.
NEC head coach Hussein Mbalangu was thankful for the corporation for establishing the football club and hopes it is here to stay.
“We are grateful to NEC for setting up a football club because without it, we don’t know where some of would be,” he stated as the club dinned for a successful season at Silver Springs Bugolobi.
“My wish and prayer are that people like you (Lt. Gen Mugira) and chairman Buhanda continue to be part of the corporation because you love the game and you never know who comes in.
“We have seen teams disappear when people at the helm don’t want football. Like Kinyara Sugar Works where I was a player.”
Mbalangu’s statement is a great reminder to teams owned by such entities that collapsed after getting disinterested in the game including State House, Umeme/UEB, Posta, Kinyara, SCOUL, Health and Works among others.
