Overview:
He was part of the squad that won the league and cup double with the Jogoos in a strong squad that had captain Edgar Watson, Posnet Omwony, Timothy Batabaire, Hakim Magumba, Emmanuel Balyejusa, Phillip Ssozi and Andrew Mwesigwa among others.
On Monday November 17, 2025, around 6pm, news started circulating that former footballer Ismail Kigozi had breathed his last.
Earlier in the day, I had received a text from a strange number informing me of his sickness.
“Good morning, hope all is well. I am just fair. My big bro Ismael Kigozi was admitted at Mulago Cancer Institute since last week. I need your prayers,” read a text.
“It all started in 2023 but we got to know the cancer last year in November so treatment started last year,” it added with a photo of Kigozi lying on bed.
Sadly, before I had even circulated the text, then the sad news of his passing hit social media.
Who is Ismail Kigozi?
He is regarded as one of the most naturally gifted player players of his generation.
The forward who came to the scene at Masaka LC in the early 2000s had every quality you needed of a striker – he had close ball control, pace, balance, intelligence and quick feet.
Kigozi formed a brilliant partnership with Dr. Sam Nadduli during a time Masaka LC was a force and had the likes of Sam Mubiru, Steven Kaborela, Charles Kawuma, Tonny Mawejje and Dick Kasule among others.
He could play through the central as a lead forward and on the wings as well.
His talent didn’t go unnoticed as SC Villa; the country’s most successful club came calling and he made a move to Villa Park on recommendation of Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic.
At SC Villa, he seen as the heir finally to Hassan Mubiru who had joined rivals Express two years earlier.
He was part of the squad that won the league and cup double with the Jogoos in a strong squad that had captain Edgar Watson, Posnet Omwony, Timothy Batabaire, Hakim Magumba, Emmanuel Balyejusa, Phillip Ssozi and Andrew Mwesigwa among others.
Though not necessarily a hit at Villa, he scored goals and his movement on and off the balls always destabilized opposition defences throughout the season.
One of the most memorable moments of that campaign came on April 6, 2002, when Kigozi scored a controversial goal against Kasese Town Council, a strike Kasese TC entourage insisted had gone through the side netting. Despite their protests, the referee stood by the decision, and the goal stood.
The following year, Kigozi remained an important cog in SC Villa’s attacking machinery. He played a vital role in the club’s successful defence of the league title and contributed significantly to the triumphant 2003 CECAFA Club Championship campaign.
His time at the club came to an abrupt turn midway through the 2004 campaign when he disappeared from the squad, reportedly resurfacing in Rwanda.
This unexpected move drew disciplinary action, and the club imposed a fine upon him for going AWOL.
Shortly afterward, he officially joined Atraco FC in Rwanda in 2004, bringing an end to his spell at Villa Park.
After his Rwandan chapter, Kigozi returned home in 2007 and joined URA FC, where he continued to ply his trade with the experience and maturity he had gathered through the years.
He later played for Soltilo Bright Stars where he literally retired. Rest in Peace Ismail Kigozi.
