Outgoing Kampala City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has blamed KCCA FC’s recent trophy drought on sports politics and financial constraints, saying the challenges have made it difficult for the club to retain top talent.
Lukwago, who has served for fifteen years as city mayor and patron of Kampala City Council Football Club, reflected on the club’s progress during his tenure, noting both a period of dominance and the recent downturn.
Since his first election in 2011, KCCA FC enjoyed one of its most successful eras, winning five Uganda Premier League titles. The club secured back to back championships in the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons, reclaimed the crown in 2015/16, defended it in 2016/17, and added another title in the 2018/19 campaign.
That 2018/19 triumph marked the start of a prolonged dry spell, with KCCA FC now six seasons without a major trophy. Lukwago believes off field factors have played a central role in that decline, particularly what he described as sports politics and limited financial capacity that have affected the club’s ability to compete consistently and retain quality players.
“The politics surrounding football in this country where one is required to move from office to office and engage in questionable dealings, which some of us cannot be part of have never worked in our favor. Just like our ‘kawowo’ style of play, which many believe has no place in modern football, we chose to remain true to that identity,” Lukwago said.
Despite the recent struggles, KCCA FC remains one of Uganda’s most decorated clubs. The Kasasiro Boys are 13 time Uganda Premier League champions and joint record Uganda Cup holders with 10 titles. The club has also represented Uganda on the continental stage, notably reaching the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup.
With Lukwago leaving office, attention now shifts to incoming leadership, with Balimwezo expected to take on both political responsibility and a sporting oversight role. Supporters will hope the transition helps restore stability and competitiveness as KCCA FC seeks a return to domestic success.
