By Hassan Badru Zziwa
 
If you thought supporting Palace has its ups and downs, read this article about KCC FC of Uganda, with this article taken from the Uganda Daily Monitor. This artile was re-published in January 2001 by http://www.cpfc.org

The surfacing of Kampala City Council (KCC FC) in 1963 was a humble one; the club was formed to mainly cater for recreation purposes for the council staff.

The team was founded by late Samuel Wamala who was head of Sewage Works section in the City Engineering Department. The team was mainly dominated by casual workers in the sewage section but later changed expanded to cover all departments within KCC.

In 1964, “Mister” Bidandi Ssali who had just left as a Councilor and Deputy joined the team. Bidandi who found the likes of Karyebala as one of the officials started training with team as a small time football. By then, Samuel Wamala was everything, CoachTeam Manager.

In 1965, the team picked momentum, and enrolled and took a first plunge into Kampala and District Football League third division. After graduating to serious football, Bidandi Ssali became Team ManagerCoach and Wamala became Chairman.

The club finished in the sixth position in the league missing promotion to the second division since there were only two zones “A” and “B” in the division. Only six teams three from each zone were to be elevated.

KCC officials sat and drew a constitution, which gave Bidandi Ssali full powers as Team ManagerCoach, and Eng. Akirobwe was elected Chairman.
In 1966, KCC went into the league battle with more vigour in the South Zone of the Third Division and the end it all, KCC ranked second in that zone and thus earned promotion to the Second Division. However, due to the prevailing unrest in the country stretching to the early parts of 1967, several clubs withdrew from the league.

Because of the pull out, it was decided that a preliminary competition be held to find teams to fill the gap. At the end of the competition, KCC was placed sixth and was among the teams which would play in the first division of Kampala and District Football League. It is evident that in space of three years, KCC FC had systematically managed to rise to the top bracket of the premier league.

In 1968, KCC kicked off the KDFL with humbling Express FC in the first round and drawing in the second. KCC also beat Army Football Club in the second round and held both Prisons and KDS to draws in round two. KCC defeated Railways, UEB and Nsambya in the second rounds but by the turn of 1971, KCC was pushed back to the second division.

By then there were two competitions running concurrently, the National Football League and the Kampala District League. KCC only belonged to the latter; the former was for the heavyweights.

The KDL was scrapped to allow room to a wider competition with several divisions. So KCC became member of the newly formed second division of the National League along with Nsambya and NIC.

By then KCC had Eng. Jack Ibale as Chairman after taking over from Kakwa. Bidandi was still Team ManagerCoach.

KCC went through three years of agony in the second division until 1974 when the club at last won promotion to the super division up to date where they have established sound record.

To get promotion to from the lower divisions, Bidandi Ssali had to laid some of the old guards and recruit a team of youthful but effective players like Jimmy Kirunda formerly with Express FC, George Mukasa (keeper), Phillip Omondi (RIP-FIAT FC), William Mindrea (RIP) (a student at Nyakasula and later became the club skipper), Samuel Musenze (RIP-took over from Mindrea and was life captain), Tom Lwanga (American Insurance), Ibrahim Magala and Moses Nsereko (RIP-no clubs).

Moses Matovu, Emmy Mugerwa, Moses Sentamu, Bedford Kityo (Kirunda’s brother), John Sarwa, who teamed up with old guards like John Kabuye and Mayanja “Black”.

KCC came up with a brand new style of soccer full of short passes with freedom for natural skills. The club’s style quickly won it hosts of fans who wanted something new. Far from the monotony of the veteran clubs. This was the reason why KCC fans dubbed their club “Brazil of Uganda”.

In the first season, KCC finished in an astonishing second spot only behind champions Express FC by a single point difference (21 points compared to Express’ 22 in 14 matches). This was more than what the club had expected. Coach Bidandi Ssali was quoted as saying: “next year we shall aim at the cup proper”.

In 1975, KCC competed highly for the league cup but they were however again beaten by arch-rivals at the end of the season by a similar margin (26 points to Express’ 27). This time KCC did not celebrate over the second position achievement as some quarters within the club club regarded it as “failure”.

In 1976, KCC came back surging, “buffalo-style”, with only one set target and that was the league title. And true to their expectations, KCC won at last the cup beating Express in similar manner by a point difference (KCC collected 35 points, Express 34).

But KCC lost two players in their match against Kirembe when play maker and mid field general Phillip Omondi was collided with the goal-keeper goalie Kikomeko on April 10, which eventually resulted in two operations on him. Former skipper William Mindrea went off limping (ending his career).

Unfortunately, KCC founder Samuel Wamala didn’t see the success of the club, following a brutal attack on him by thugs and later died before KCC’s first title.

However, the absence of Express through a ban saw lifting of scale in KCC’s favour in reverse and since general lack of rivalry in the league, KCC had a downward slope clinch of title.

In 1978, Simba (the army side) under the guidance of coach-player Polly Ouma broke KCC’s dominance of the league. However, they didn’t represent the country due to insecurity in the country. Omondi also made come back and played one match against NIC.

But losing the local title didn’t stop KCC to win the regional club championships in Kampala (becoming the first Ugandan side to win the regional title). It was President Idi Amin who handed the trophy over to skipper Sam Musenze.

KCC had just welcomed back it’s trusted play-maker Phillip Omondi who played a vital for the club victory. Others in the team were; Jimmy Kirunda, Jamil Kasirye, Hussein Matovu, Tom Lwanga, Sam Musenze, Yusuf Toyota, Peter Mazinga, Apolo Lumu, Billy Kizito, Hussein Matovu, Chris Dungu, Gerald Kabaireho, Ashe Muksa, Rashid Mudin, Moses Sentamu, Timothy Ayeieko, Angelo Dotte, Hassan Biruma, Peter Wandtette and others.

Much as Simba went into disarray due to the situation, KCC had its problems. Several senior players turned semi-professional sneaking into the Arab Emirates to create yawning gap in the team. Those who turned pro were goalie Hussein Matovu, Jimmy Kirunda, Tom Lwanga, and Phillip Omondi, while Timothy Ayeieko and Yusuf Toyota fled to Kenya due to insecurity prevailing in the country then.

Uganda Commercial Bank won the league. But KCC had recruited more youthful players a year before like, Godfrey Kateregga and Sam Mugambe from Kampala based Tobacco, and Davis Kamoga.

For the first time, KCC entered Uganda cup and won it—after the failure of league champions UCB to turn-up at Nakivubo Stadium.

But again this year, KCC suffered another blow when coachTeam Manager Bidandi Ssali was a pointed a minister in the UNLF government. He handed the team to Moses Nsereko with Abdallahaman Hippo becoming Team Manager.

In 1980, KCC was placed third behind Jinja based teams Nile and Nytil but still grabbed the Uganda cup. The following year (1981), KCC after building a complete new line-up with players like John Latigo, Charles Katumba (Nsambya), former Simba goalie Paul Ssali, Fred Mugisha, Stephen Mpagi and the like stormed back, winning the league.

In 1982, up-coming SC Villa composed of the best players in the country then won the newly formed super league unbeaten. This was the time when the city side had lost star players like; Jimmy Kirunda (who had returned from UAE), Jamil Kasirye, Stephen Mpagi, and Davis Kamoga to SC Villa.
In 1983 saw KCC find an answer that SC Villa by dethroning them as league “kings”. In 1984 Villa snatched back the title while KCC settled for Uganda Cup. In 1985 KCC won the league once again, despite the absence of Moses Nsereko on the pitch, and Jimmy Kirunda (who had returned from Villa).
In the period between 1986 to 1990 KCC has had no glimpse of the league trophy, however winning the Uganda cup in 1987.

This long absence of league cup victors nearly caused a rift in the club as fans demanded for an explanation and among other things calling for the sack of some club top officials.

In between that period, KCC old guard like Phillip Omondi, Tom Lwanga, Fred Mugisha, Paul Ssali, and Peter Wandyette called a day joining others like Sam Musenze, Moses Nsereko, Peter Mazinga who had left earlier.
Moses Nsereko who had helped the club to win trophies as coachplayer also handed the team to John Latigo who was the coach player. Latigo also left the country for a coaching course in Germany handing over power to Tom Lwanga.

The club had previously gone into a massive recruitment of youthful players like; Jackson Mayanja, Sam Ssimbwa, Sadiq Wassa, Yusuf Gitta, Ahmed Senyange, Derrick Muyanja, Archilles Katamba, Charles Senyange, Charles Jalendo, Moses Lasu to play with battle hardened skipper Charles Masiko, George Nsimbe, George Serunjogi, and Charles Katumba.

KCC went on to win Uganda Cup in 1990 after beating SC Villa 3-0, and also winning the league in 1991 on the 75% rule and in 1993, when they won Kakungulu Cup (Uganda Cup). But that was the end of league trophies at City Hall. The club was engaged in administrative crisis.

Eng. Jack Ibale relinquished his chair to late Stephen Isabirye. Other KCC officials like Gordon Wavamunnno, Joseph Kabubi, and others left the club. It was a nasty experience, watching KCC struggling to be counted among the giants.

Mediocre players were enrolled to KCC, a thing which continued up to date. Several coaches came and go. Among them, Polly Ouma, Fred Mugisha, Paul Ssali, Mike Mutebi among others.

It was in 1996, after recruiting former player Mike Mutebi that, the club smiled again. Mutebi made good recruitment and changed the game completely. He brought in discipline, which was lacking in the club. It wasn’t accidental when the following year, KCC was a top team again. But trust KCC, they sacked, Mutebi and re-introduced Tom Lwanga who won the league after six year.

But that was the end of KCC and its so-called Brazil of Uganda. The team experienced administrative problems, with fans taking over the front sit. Fans rejected several officials including “mentor” Bidandi Ssali who had made a come back.

It was just a total chaos. Surprisingly, the club is now recruiting “rejects” from lowly clubs. Players are too indiscipline. From 1997-2002 KCC, has coached by 10 coaches. Compared to 16 years, which Bidandi Ssali spent at Lugogo.

What made KCC tick?
*** KCC had a stable management
*** Players had club spirit
*** Tit’s style of play was next to none
*** Discplined players and fans
*** Had a middle class of players, officials, and fans

Note
KCC Chairmen
Samuel Wamala
Eng. Akirobwe
Kakwa
Eng. Jack Ibale
Stephen Isabirye
Eng. Abraham Byandala
James Sseggane

KCC records
League
Champions
1976, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1991, 1997

Kakungulu Cup
Holders
1979, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1993

East and Central CECAFA Clubs Championships
1978-Champions

Africa Clubs Championships
1977-Quarter finalists
1978-Quarter finalists
1984 -Quarter finalists
1985-quarter finals

Africa Cup Winners
1982-Quarter finals
1983-Quarter finals
1985-Quarter finals

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