Ahimbisibwe returns to KCCA FC after 35-day spell in Iraq

Ivan Ahimbisibwe has become the latest Ugandan footballer to return home after a short spell abroad.

Ahimbisibwe spent only 35 days with Iraqi side Zakho Sports Club before returning to KCCA FC. The striker has now signed a two-year contract that will keep him at Lugogo until the end of the 2027/28 season.

The move to Iraq came after a strong first season with KCCA.

Ahimbisibwe scored 14 league goals and provided three assists in 27 appearances during the 2025/26 season, finishing as the Uganda Premier League's top scorer and winning the Golden Boot.

"If I was ever going to come back home, it was always going to be KCCA FC; there was never any doubt," Ahimbisibwe said.

"This club treated me like family during my time here, and the love from the Cityzens was unmatched. When the chance to pull on this famous yellow shirt again came up, I didn't need to think twice. I am back to finish what we started."

He left KCCA for Zakho on August 14, hoping to continue his career outside Uganda.

However, he made only three appearances before the move ended.

There were also reports of interest from other clubs in Iraq, Tunisia and Algeria, as well as Uganda Premier League champions Vipers.

In the end, Ahimbisibwe chose to return to KCCA, where he had already enjoyed a successful season and built a relationship with coach Brian Ssenyondo and the club's supporters.

Ahimbisibwe's case is not isolated.

Over the years, several Ugandan players have moved abroad but returned home after relatively short spells. The reasons have been different, showing that a foreign transfer does not always lead to a long stay.

Joel Madondo moved to Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in 2020 after impressing with Busoga United. His time in Morocco was short before he returned to Uganda.

Milton Karisa joined Moroccan side Mouloudia Club Oujda in 2018. He later returned to Uganda and rejoined Vipers.

Saidi Kyeyune also had a short spell with Sudanese club El Merrikh after his performances for Uganda attracted attention during the CHAN period. He later returned to URA FC.

Mustafa Kizza had another kind of experience. His planned move to Moroccan side Hassania Agadir in 2020 broke down after the club was reportedly told it had reached its transfer limit. He later moved to Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact and also had a spell with Portuguese club Arouca.

The same pattern has been seen in the women's game.

Fazila Ikwaput moved to Kazakhstan before returning to Lady Doves FC after a short spell. Joan Nabirye also returned from Belarus after a short stay, while Hasifah Nassuna came back from South Africa after a brief spell.

These cases show that moving abroad is only one part of a player's career. A transfer can be affected by contracts, club finances, playing opportunities, registration issues or other circumstances.

Ahimbisibwe's return also comes at an important time for the Kasasiro Boys, who had scored only once in their opening four league matches before beating Kataka 1-0 on Wednesday. Ahimbisibwe now adds another option to an attack that includes Charles Lwanga, Emmanuel Anyama and Kennedy Muserero.

His return therefore gives him a chance to continue the form that made him the league's top scorer last season, while also giving KCCA an experienced striker as they try to improve their attack.

If his paperwork is completed in time, Ahimbisibwe could make his second KCCA debut against his former club URA on October 9 after the international break.