Overview:
That list includes Gift Fred, Charles Bbale, Umar Lutalo, Kenneth Ssemakula, Gavin Kizito among others and you can also add Ronald Ssekiganda and Hakim Kiwanuka who were sold in the middle of the season.
SC Villa has so far made four signings in the current transfer window with John Asiimwe the only one with premier league experience.
The winger, who is versatile enough to play at left back and also through the middle as a no. 10 joined the Jogoos from longtime rivals Express on a three-year contract.
Other arrivals at Villa Park have come from lower division sides and have all signed four-year contracts with the club.
Highly rated Fufa Big League top scorer Isaac Gumperom joined from Young Elephants, promising midfielder Steven Mugisha signed from Bulemeezi Ssaza and 22-year-old creative midfielder Tony ‘Zuzu’ Asiku all bolster Zeljko Kovacevic squad.
Long term contracts, no overpaying
Giving them long term contracts is a plus for the record league champions in a nation where the maximum contract for new signings is usually two years.
Besides, the new signings arrive on cheap both in terms of sign on fees and salaries in comparison with what other clubs especially Vipers, Kitara and KCCA pay.
Villa officials state that they need to stay focused on what they are trying to achieve and don’t let the market or the agents dictate what they should be doing.
It explains why they have let go of experienced players whose wage demands and sign on fees was viewed as unrealistic.
Charles Lwanga, allegedly given less playing time last season for failure to agree a new deal on Villa terms alongside highly rated midfielder Elvis Ngonde have since joined KCCA.
Zeljko’s favourite anchorman who also played in the same role under Dusan Stojanovic has also left as well as goalkeeper Norman Angufindru who joins league newcomers Kigezi Home Boyz.
Hassan Mubiru who had a very strong last campaign was sold to Azam in Tanzania for a reported good fee but the rest left on Bosman.
Many pundits, fans and ex-Villa players have questioned Villa’s transfer policy in recent years as the club looks to return to the glory days under Hajji Omar Mandela.
Failure to retain key players
“Rebuilding is very okay but then failure to retain your key players from every season renders the objective as literally not working,” former Villa midfield gem Hakim Magumba told Real Stars Show when asked about what he thinks of his former club.
In the past since Mandela returned to lead the club, Villa has become known for letting key players leave for free at the end of every season after failing to agree on contract renewal terms with Lwanga the latest in the long list.
That list includes Gift Fred, Charles Bbale, Umar Lutalo, Kenneth Ssemakula, Gavin Kizito among others and you can also add Ronald Ssekiganda and Hakim Kiwanuka who were sold in the middle of the season.
How long will that continue?
The policy of giving new players long term contracts is very welcome and is the ideal but what happens when they run down the contract is more important.
Now, they will sign for little fees and also agree to earn perhaps little salaries but as they grow, they are improving their game and they will get suitors who could offer more at the time.
In the end, they will choose to move if Villa is not willing to match their demands at the time and the cycle will continue.
Previously when Villa dominated Ugandan football in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, they would sign the best players on the market and even within the region.
Since changing the policy, they have gone long spells without any trophies.
In fact, they have only one league title (2023/24) and two Uganda Cups (2009 & 2015) in the past 20 years.
Compare with KCCA and Vipers who have dominated Ugandan football in that period and it is clear that if there is no policy change at Villa, they would still lag behind in terms of success on the pitch.
SC VILLA Transfer summary as of July 27, 2026
Transfer Ins:
- Tony Zuzu Asiku (Arua Airfield)
- Steven Mugisha (Bulemeezi Ssaza)
- John Asiimwe (Express FC)
- Isaac Gumperom (Young Elephants)
Transfer Outs:
- Charles Lwanga (KCCA)
- Elvis Ngonde (KCCA)
- Hassan Mubiru (Azam, Tanzania)
- Misi Diego Ssemugera (Kitara)
- Norman Angufindru (Kigezi Home Boyz)
