Mbale Heroes has become the first team to suffer the drop in the 2024/25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season. The Surgeons confirmed their relegation on Wednesday after a 1-0 loss to Maroons FC.
Norman Odipio scored the lone goal as the Prison Warders secured victory in the game played at the Mbale City Stadium.
Despite returning to top-flight football last year for the first time in 17 years. Mbale Heroes failed to put their house in order and could not match the pomp and excitement many had for their return.
A team that has staunch fans across the Bugisu region and beyond, poor governance structures, lack of transparency, poor recruitment and failure to mobilize fans all pointed to the inevitable collapse.
Club chairman Andrew Wambi fell out with his Vice Badru Chemusto who left the club and the two made accusations against each other in the media.
Coach Asaph Mwebaze too despite returning to the club lasted only a few days before he left. He has since exposed the mess that is at the club.
He was suspended in December over allegations of professional misconduct and unethical behaviour, before the club officially announced his exit in January.
Mwebaze vowed to go to court and demand the club to pay his salary arrears.
Several players have also been reported to have gone AWOL during the course of the season.
With four games to go, the team can only account for ten points.