Mbale Heroes could become the first club to test the provisions under Fufa’s Regulations on Club Ownership and Registration if their current crisis continues unchecked. The club earned promotion back to the Uganda Premier League last season after 17 years in the wilderness but immediately dropped back following a recurrence of problems that have long haunted them.
Their Fufa Big League campaign has begun in similar turmoil, with the team languishing in the relegation zone on just seven points from a possible 24.
Ordinarily, such a start might not call for panic but the scenes during their 2-0 home defeat to Bright Stars last Sunday did. Mbale Heroes played with only nine players and without a licensed goalkeeper, forcing defender Abraham Okello to wear the gloves, an image that summed up a club edging toward cliff.
Disorder
The troubles intensified after club chairman Andrew Wambi and his executive stepped aside, leaving patron Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi who ia currently consumed by presidential campaigns, to shoulder the club’s obligations. His sister Jessica Muduwa and counsel Geoffrey Odur Ojok have tried to stabilise matters but the gaps have been glaring.
Acting chief executive officer Bosco Wamududa admitted the crisis behind last weekend’s shorthanded team.
‘What happened was an issue of being different from some senior players and injuries. That’s how we ended up having a small, incomplete team during the last outing.’
He maintains that Jessica remains committed.
‘She might not be available but she is doing everything possible to ensure that we move and everything is going on.’
Financial constraints
Wamududa revealed that several licensed players [Paul] Musamali, Cosia Waiswa, Peter Ssenkungu never reported, with some believed to have left the country. Young, school-going players and double-licensed options from Bul were also unavailable due to national exams.
‘Three of those boys are candidates. even the ones from Bul Like Lwenda Sowedi, Mpasa Swabil and Achidi are all sitting exams,’ he said.
An emergency meeting on Monday addressed welfare issues and Wamududa insists the squad will be complete for their weekend fixture away to kaaro Karungi in Ntungamo.
Counsel Ojok was more blunt on the financial hardship .
‘We are doing everything possible but the truth is that the team is struggling to restructure and the truth is the team is struggling financially,’ he revealed to Saturday Sports.
It is this financial strain that could push Mbale Heroes into administration as defined under Article 2 of Fufa’s Regulations where Fufa temporarily takes over a club ‘until new owners are found or when current owners fail to financially sustain it.’
However, whether Fufa can realistically sustain a club through such a process remains untested. If the situation deteriorates and no new ownership emerges, Article 10 empowers Fufa to withdraw the club’s Certificate of Ownership entirely.
For now, Mbale Heroes may unknowingly become the proving ground for a regulation whose practicality remains uncertain.
2025/26 FUFA BIG LEAGUE Weekend fixturesSoltilo Bright Stars vs. Onduparaka – LugaziBunyaruguru United vs. Nebbi Central – KaseseNtugasaze vs. Catda – MityanaKataka vs. Paidha Black Angels – Mbale City StadiumKiyinda Boys vs. Iganga United – Betherm City GrdKaaro Karungi vs. Mbale Heroes – Kyamatte Play GrdWakiso Giants vs. Blacks Power – Hamz StadiumKigezi Homeboyz vs. Young Elephant – Kigezi