For Uganda Cranes budding goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu, life between the sticks has become a delicate balancing act – a classic catch-22 moment.
Once hailed as Vipers’ emerging guardian angel after inspiring their Uganda Cup triumph, the young custodian now finds himself watching from the sidelines at Kitende, even as he remains firmly within national coach Paul Put’s plans.
Last season, Kiggundu was the toast of Vipers’ Uganda Cup campaign. In his mid twenties, kiggundu started every match, producing commanding performances that culminated in a nerveless display in the final against KCCA, helping the Venoms clinch the silverware.
His agility and composure under pressure earned him widespread praise, making him a key figure in Uganda’s Chan 2024 preparations – where he even featured in a pre-tournament friendly against Senegal.
Briefly shot at power
However, the winds have since shifted. When Belgian coach Ivan Minnaert took charge at Vipers, he shocked many by elevating Kiggundu above established first-choice Alfred Macumu Mudekereza – the Congolese shot-stopper who had joined from Bukavu Dawa (DR Congo) in 2022 and dethroned Burundian Fabien Mutombora to become Vipers’ number one.
Under Minnaert’s early plans, Kiggundu started all four Caf Champions League qualifiers against African Stars (Namibia) and Power Dynamos (Zambia), a sign of faith that the young goalkeeper had truly come of age.
But football is cruel. Costly blunders against Dynamos – mistakes that saw Vipers miss out on the lucrative group stages – proved fatal to Kiggundu’s rise.
Mudekereza reclaimed the gloves, and in the first two league matches of the season against Entebbe UPPC and KCCA, he reminded everyone why he is regarded among the region’s best.
Against Entebbe at Bugonga, Mudekereza delivered a vintage display: producing a superb one-handed save from Isa Bugembe’s curling free-kick and an instinctive close-range block to deny Samuel Kawawa.
He was deservedly named Man of the Match as Vipers won 1-0. The message was clear – the Congolese wasn’t surrendering his spot easily.
For Kiggundu, the timing couldn’t be worse. As Paul Put fine-tunes his Afcon 2025 squad ahead of Group C clashes with Tunisia, Tanzania, and Nigeria, the young keeper remains in the extended pool – alongside veterans Denis Onyango and Ismail Watenga Jamal (both South Africa-based) and Bul’s Tom Ikara.
Put, known for conservatism approach, has faith in Kiggundu’s potential, but even he knows that match fitness and regular football are non-negotiable for a place on the Morocco-bound plane.
Chan miss
Kiggundu’s Chan journey mid this year hinted at his potential, but reality bit hard there too. Despite making the final squad, he watched from the bench as Joel Mutakubwa started all four matches, with Crispus Kusiima as backup.
Now, the task ahead is steep. If Kiggundu is to be part of Uganda’s goalkeeping future – especially in the post-Onyango, post-Jamal era – he must reclaim his Vipers spot soon.
His aerial command, game reading, and communication still need sharpening, and only consistent game time will bring that maturity.
For now, he stands at a crossroads – admired by the national coach but overshadowed at club level by a resurgent Mudekereza.
The season is still young, and if form and fate align, Kiggundu could yet script his redemption. But until then, Uganda’s wannabe custodian remains trapped in the cruel paradox of needing to play to be picked – but unable to play because he is not picked.