Brian Ssenyondo is on the brink of returning to Mbarara City FC as head coach, marking a potential homecoming that blends nostalgia with renewed ambition.
The youthful tactician, who previously managed the Ankole Lions, is expected to take charge ahead of the 2025/26 season, pending official club confirmation.
Reports of Ssenyondo’s return surfaced shortly after Mbarara City parted ways with Livingstone Mbabazi, whose tenure ended in disappointment following a string of underwhelming results.
While the club has yet to release a formal statement, Ssenyondo’s recent cryptic post on his official X platform saying, “Close the door gently, you might return,” has fueled speculation about his next move, which now appears all but confirmed.
This anticipated return comes during a pivotal moment in Ssenyondo’s career.
Just last month, he etched his name into Ugandan football history by guiding the national U17 team, the Cubs, to their first-ever qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup.
The landmark feat was achieved in Marrakech, where Uganda edged The Gambia 2-1 in a tense playoff, with Ssenyondo’s tactical composure and leadership drawing widespread acclaim.
Yet, his club fortunes have recently taken a downturn.
After a promising 2023/24 season in which he led Kitara to their first-ever Stanbic Uganda Cup and a fourth-place league finish, Ssenyondo’s second season in Hoima unraveled quickly.
A poor start to the 2024/25 campaign saw The Royals languishing in the relegation zone with just one win from six matches, prompting the club to cut ties with Ssenyondo and his entire technical bench.
Despite the abrupt end to his Kitara tenure, Ssenyondo remains one of Uganda’s most respected young coaches.
His career began at Synergy, where he led the club to the Uganda Cup semifinals.
He later served at UPDF and had his first stint with Mbarara City, gaining a reputation for nurturing young talent
His likely reappointment at Mbarara City offers a fresh chapter for a club who just survived relegation, and signals their intent to rebuild under familiar leadership.
