Former KCCA FC manager Mike Hillary Mutebi, recently discharged from hospital, made a surprise appearance at Lugogo on Friday, delighting fans who packed the stands.
Mutebi, a club legend, watched from the crowd as his former side battled Kitara FC in the Uganda Premier League.
Stadium announcer Moses Magero wasted no time reminding the fans of the icon in their midst, declaring in his unmistakable voice: “Mike Mutebi is the most successful coach in the history of this club.”
KCCA, who had gone winless in their previous two matches, losing to URA FC in the Uganda Cup quarterfinals and SC Villa in the league, managed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kitara thanks to Joel Sserunjogi’s solitary strike, providing a fitting backdrop for Mutebi’s return to Lugogo.
At fulltime, walking alongside club CEO Anisha Muhoozi, Mutebi engaged briefly with the media.
Some journalists, recalling his sharp wit during press conferences, seemed genuinely pleased to see him.
Despite not being impressed by the game’s standard, Mutebi expressed happiness that his former club secured the win, noting his continued love for beautiful football.
Mutebi also shared a brief moment with current co-head coach Brian Ssenyondo, a young tactician he had previously praised on FUFA TV alongside Ssenyondo’s colleague Jackson Magera.
Their paths first crossed in 2018, during Ssenyondo’s early days managing Synergy, when Mutebi’s KCCA hammered Synergy 9-0 in the Uganda Cup semifinals.
While Mutebi remains revered as KCCA’s most successful manager, Ssenyondo is still carving out his legacy, seeking to restore the club to the glory it last tasted under Mutebi.
During his tenure, Mutebi guided KCCA to three Uganda Premier League titles, three Uganda Cups, three Super Cups, one CECAFA Kagame Cup, and historic CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup qualifications.
Notably, the 2018 KCCA squad became the first Ugandan club to reach the CAF Champions League group stages.
Mutebi’s tenure at KCCA ended in March 2021, but his impact is still felt, particularly in the team’s style of play, which has struggled to maintain the flair and consistency he instilled.
Though still recovering from his recent health scare, which began when he went missing in Kisubi and was later hospitalized at Mulago, Mutebi’s presence at Lugogo was a joyful reminder of the enduring mark he has left on Ugandan football.
Fans and club members continue to wish him a full and speedy recovery.
