Express are facing a deepening crisis after players downed tools in protest over unpaid salaries, bringing training sessions to a standstill.
The Red Eagles squad has reportedly gone close to six months without receiving their wages, with some players confirming they have not been paid since November 2024.
A player who preferred to remain anonymous told NBS Sport that he, in particular, had not received his salary for five months.
“We made a collective decision not to train until management addresses our grievances,” he revealed.
Adding to their frustration, the players have also gone two months without transport allowances, making it even harder to fulfill their professional commitments.
On Monday, only head coach Badru Kaddu Mukasa reported for training, with the rest of the squad boycotting the session in protest.
Sources within the club indicate that the situation has been worsened by the prolonged absence of the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Ashraf Miiro, leaving players feeling abandoned and unheard.
Express’ struggles extend beyond financial woes, with the team’s form on the pitch suffering significantly.
The Red Eagles have lost five of their last six Uganda Premier League (UPL) matches and have suffered nine league defeats in total this season.
Their next fixture is a tough away clash against Maroons on Saturday,April 5, and with the ongoing crisis, their preparation remains uncertain.
The seven-time UPL champions and ten-time Uganda Cup winners, who won a league and cup double in 1995, and last won the UPL title in 2021, find themselves in a dire situation.
The club’s management has yet to make an official statement on the matter, but with players refusing to train, pressure is mounting at one of Uganda’s most historic football institutions.
