By Ben Musanje
Sports Club Villa, one of Uganda’s most historic football institutions, has plunged into unprecedented legal turmoil as questions over leadership legality shake the very foundation of the club.
The crisis centers on Hajji Omar Ahmed Mandela, whose four-year term as SC Villa president officially ended on November 13, 2025, but who allegedly continued to execute presidential duties without any official extension—a move described by legal representatives as a blatant abuse of office.
Kasiko Advocates, acting for Joseph Muguluma Mbazzi, the club’s President Emeritus and a member of the Villa Members Trust (VMT), has issued a series of stern legal notices to Mandela, SC Villa’s Board of Trustees, and senior management.
The notices accuse them of violating both SC Villa statutes and FUFA regulations, warning that failure to comply will trigger lawsuits for false accounting, abuse of office, and illegal handling of club finances.
The letters demand immediate action: Mandela must cease performing all official duties, stop representing the club, and hand over all records, financial statements, contracts, inventories, and club property.
In addition, he is required to prepare a full inventory and accountability of all acts undertaken during his four-year presidency, including the period after his term ended.
Legal representatives also call for a full accounting of monies received from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) during his tenure.
Kasiko Advocates has not spared other key figures in the club. Mr. Gerald Ssendaula, Chairman of SC Villa’s Board of Trustees, is similarly accused of illegally continuing to perform his duties past his official term, which expired on December 31, 2024.
The firm demands that he cease acting as Chairman, hand over all instruments of power, and refund any money used without official authorization, warning of legal consequences for any continued defiance.
The storm has extended to SC Villa management and even FUFA officials. Letters have been sent to Hon. Moses Hashim Magogo, FUFA President, and Mr. Edgar Watson Suubi, FUFA CEO, urging them to stop dealing with Mandela as club president until proper elections are conducted and leadership is lawfully established.
The legal notices stress that SC Villa has not conducted congress meetings to validate leadership, leaving the club’s representation in football governance in jeopardy.
The letters make it clear that Kasiko Advocates will no longer accept physical copies of documents—all communications must be submitted electronically, emphasizing the urgency and formal seriousness of the matter. The law firm states in no uncertain terms: “EXPECT NO FURTHER WARNING ON THIS MATTER!”
The scandal has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s football community. Club members, football fans, and media outlets are closely watching a drama that threatens to tarnish one of the country’s most beloved football brands.
The situation has raised serious questions about financial transparency, adherence to club statutes, and governance of football institutions in Uganda.
Observers note that SC Villa’s ongoing official dealings with Mandela past his term could not only damage the club’s reputation but also put FUFA and government stakeholders in a difficult position.
The club faces pressure to immediately organize proper elections and clarify the legitimacy of past and current administrative actions.
Legal experts suggest that this could become one of the most significant cases in Ugandan football history if the matter escalates to court.
The letters indicate that each individual responsible for these irregularities could face personal and legal consequences, potentially involving financial restitution and formal sanctions.
As the countdown begins, 14 days from the receipt of the notices SC Villa stands at a crossroads.
Will Mandela and the board comply, or will Uganda witness a drawn-out legal battle engulfing one of its football giants? Meanwhile, fans and stakeholders are left in suspense, wondering whether their beloved club can emerge from this storm without enduring long-term damage.
SC Villa’s crisis is not just a club matter; it is a high-stakes saga intertwining football administration, legal authority, and governance oversight—a drama that could redefine accountability in Ugandan football for years to come. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
