When Hajj Omar Mandela became SC Villa president unopposed on November 13, 2021, fans didn’t know whether to celebrate or start praying. And honestly, who could blame them? The club had just spent three painful years wandering without a leader since Eng. Ben Misagga stepped down in July 2018, leaving behind confusion, empty pockets and enough drama to fill a Netflix series.
Misagga’s exit was like a storm that swept through and carried everything away. Together with his then CEO Ivan Kakembo, almost everything was put up for sale and the club was almost auctioned.
Villa became a struggling giant barely able to honour fixtures and surviving on “kabbo” (handouts) from die‑hard fans who loved the club more than their wallets.
Then came October 2020 and with it, the birth of the Villa Members Trust. Finally, some people decided to stop crying and fix their house themselves. The goal was to solve the endless ownership fights and let fans actually own part of their beloved club. But, as usual in Ugandan football, the process didn’t miss its share of court battles and elections were suspended.
After FUFA stepped in and asked SC Villa to organize themselves and new elections were set for November 13, 2021. Two men showed interest in Farouk Meyiwa and tycoon Hajj Omar Mandela. Meyiwa was later disqualified for failing to meet the requirements, leaving Mandela as the only man standing. And that’s how history was made without a single vote cast.
In his acceptance speech, Mandela didn’t talk too much. He simply said, “It’s time to work, not talk and bring back the lost glory of SC Villa” and true to his word, he got down to business. Salaries started coming on time, bonuses became real, not rumours and even team travel and welfare improved. He also set up a proper team camp at the old East High School in Ntinda.
Before long, results followed. The players were motivated, happy and ready to fight for the badge. Then boom! SC Villa lifted the 2023/2024 Uganda Premier League title after twenty long years! The Blue Army celebrated like it was Christmas paiting the Kampala streets blue, bringing out all fans who were in hiding.
Since then, SC Villa has looked organized both on and off the pitch. The club even brought in respected football experts like agent Ivica Stankovic, who is the Technical advisor in charge of football operations, Nebojsa Kapoor, the youth coach, to add team Head Coach Zeljko Kavacevic to take the team next level.
Now, some fans still complain that Mandela doesn’t sign “big-name” players. But the man has a plan. Instead of buying expensive stars, he’s building his own. The reserve side, Wembley FC is doing well in the Kampala Regional League and the Ntinda camp is full of young talents dreaming of becoming the next Villa legends.
Financially, SC Villa is standing tall again. No more salary drama. No more “kabbo.” The club that once begged now budgets and that’s real progress my friend.
But as the March 22, 2026, elections draw near, the political noise is back. Some people are already cooking up campaigns to replace Mandela. For what reason? Maybe just to trend online. Because let’s be honest, after finally getting a stable, winning Villa, why on earth would any sane person want to change the captain of the ship? If winning titles, paying players and restoring pride don’t impress you, then you’re not a Villa fan, you’re just a tourist in blue or an enemy of progress.
mandela, Juu