Barely a week after guiding SC Villa to their first Uganda Premier League title in 20 years, winning captain Kenneth Ssemakula on Friday shocked the Villa faithful with a statement letter confirming that he is leaving the club.

Ssemakula who has been a versatile player in both defence and midfield this season while sparing time to get the team valuable goals indicated in his letter that the time is right for him to try a new chapter elsewhere and thanked his teammates, coaches, fans, club president Hajji Omar Mandela and wished his club the very best of luck in the next seasons.

“As my time with this incredible club draws to a close. I want to take this moment to express my deepest gratitude to every one of you. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as your skipper player over the past three seasons,” part of the statement read.

“As I bid farewell, I leave with a heart full of memories and a sense of pride in all that we have accomplished together. The 17th title we clinched in the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League season will always hold a special place in my heart, but it is the Camaraderie, the friendship, and the sense of belonging that I will cherish the most.”

“To my teammates, you are not just colleagues, but brothers in arms. Together we have faced challenges, celebrated victories, and forged bonds that will last a lifetime. Thank you for your dedication, your passion, and unwavering support on and off the pitch,” other parts of the statements read.

He also thanked his coaching staff, technical team, Villa staff, and club president Hajji Omar Mandela for their tireless efforts that have seen the club get back to its glory days.

Ssemakula who joined Villa from BUL FC in 2021, saw his contract expire at the end of this season, but before that, the club has been trying to convince him to put pen to paper, but he declined all the offers presented to him.

His departure is expected to be a costly one for Villa who will need to get a similar or even a better replacement because they will be busy next season which involves competing in the CAF Champions League, CECAFA Kagame Cup, the league and the Uganda Cup.