On Sunday, November 1, 2026 George Mukasa drew his final breath at Mengo Hospital, aged 77, bringing to an end the life of one of the most influential figures to have contributed to the growth of Ugandan football.
Mukasa remains firmly remembered in SC Villa’s history as the coach who first delivered silverware to Villa Park. However, what many may not know is that his connection to the club’s early history began long before he took up coaching.
Before becoming one of the club’s notable coaches, Mukasa had already made his mark in Ugandan football as a player. It is therefore worth looking back at his playing career before exploring his achievements in the dugout.
Born on September 22, 1949 in Mengo-Kisenyi, George Mukasa Wagaba spent his early years in the same neighborhood. He attended Camp Kake Primary School before joining Kololo Secondary School. Growing up in Kisenyi, he lived in the same neighborhood as national team goalkeeper John Agadi around 1967. Their close proximity inspired his interest in goalkeeping, and he began learning the art of playing between the posts from Agadi. However, during his early playing days, Mukasa also featured in other positions.
At a young age, Mukasa was already playing as a goalkeeper for Nakivubo Boys, a club that had close links with Express FC. His talent soon attracted the attention of Jolly Kiwanuka, who also had an association with Nakivubo Boys. Impressed by what he saw, Kiwanuka persuaded him to join Express around 1968.
At Express, Mukasa faced competition from two experienced goalkeepers, Joseph Masajjage and Mbowa. He initially joined as the third-choice goalkeeper but quickly made the most of his opportunity. Through his performances, he managed to displace the two senior goalkeepers and establish himself as the club’s number one.
His playing career took another turn when Jaberi Bidandi Ssali persuaded him to join Kampala City Council (KCC). He eventually completed the move in 1971, marking the beginning of another successful chapter in his career. At KCC, he enjoyed considerable success and also earned opportunities to represent the national team.
Around 1978, Mukasa decided to bring his playing career to an end and immediately turned his attention to coaching. His first assignment was with City Cubs, KCC’s feeder side, where he began developing his coaching career. He later got an opportunity to improve his coaching knowledge abroad, spending time in Ethiopia and Germany between 1979 and 1981.
Towards the end of 1981, his impressive work at City Cubs attracted the attention of Patrick Kawooya, who persuaded him to join SC Villa. His arrival brought fresh energy to the team, and success followed almost immediately. Mukasa guided the Jogoos to their first-ever league title in the 1982 season, an achievement made even more special by the fact that they completed the entire campaign without losing a single match.
The league triumph also earned SC Villa their first appearance in continental football in 1983. Mukasa was entrusted with leading the team into the African Cup of Champions Clubs, where the Jogoos made an impressive debut by reaching the quarter-finals.
Along the way, Villa eliminated Madagascar’s Dinamo Fimma 5-3 on aggregate before overcoming Mozambique’s Ferroviário de Maputo 5-1 on aggregate. Their continental journey eventually ended in the quarter-finals after they lost 5-2 on aggregate to Zambian side, Nkana Red Devils. Although they did not go all the way, reaching the last eight in their first continental appearance was still a respectable achievement.
Back on the domestic scene, Villa failed to defend their league title in the 1983 season. However, they still managed to add another trophy to their cabinet by winning their first Uganda Cup. The Jogoos defeated KCC 1-0 in the final to claim the trophy.
Despite the success, the season was not without disagreements. Midway through the campaign, Mukasa reportedly faced a suspension from the club following an incident involving a clash with match official which the club deemed avoidable. His actions reportedly angered the Villa board, particularly after the team failed to win the match in question.
Although he returned in time to guide the team to Uganda Cup success, reports indicated that his relationship with the club’s leadership had already deteriorated. He eventually left SC Villa at the end of the season.
Mukasa, however, later gave a different account of his departure. According to him, the main reason for leaving was Patrick Kawooya’s decision to change the earlier agreement they had reached regarding his payments. This reportedly angered him and eventually influenced his decision to walk away.
Whichever of the two accounts explains his departure, one thing remains clear: Mukasa left SC Villa at the end of the 1983 season. He later had stints as head coach of the national team, Express, Coffee and Nsambya, adding further chapters to an already remarkable journey in Ugandan football.
Years later, he retired from the game and lived his later days in his home area of Mengo-Kisenyi till the time of his death.
May his soul rest in peace.