Education is important for footballers, says Benda

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During his days as a Uganda Premier League player, Edison Benda showed glimpses of a promising talent. He had good vision and technical ability.

Born and raised in Walukuba, a low-income housing estate in Jinja that has produced Uganda Cranes star players like Steven Bogere, Charles Jalendo, Alex Isabirye, Moses Oloya, Ali Lukungu, Simeon Masaba and Geoffrey Massa; Benda’s destiny was predetermined.

Benda and Massa started at Red Stars Academy, complemented each other at First Division side UTTOA, before graduating to elite football. (Courtesy photo)

Benda and Massa started at Red Stars Academy, complemented each other at First Division side UTTOA, before graduating to elite football.

Benda and Massa had a season with Iganga Town Council and Mbale Heroes, respectively, before reuniting at Police and taking different paths thereafter.

While representing Bunamwaya, Nalubaale, Simba, Kinyara and Proline in the Uganda Premier League, Benda was a distinguished footballer. But he also appreciated the benefits of education.

Ronald Mugabi, Edson Benda, Ali Lukungu and Alex Tulilaba. (Courtesy photo)

So, when an offer to pursue further studies at Tiffin University as a student-player came calling in 2009 while at Proline, Benda was flattered.

With the help of Rudy Brownell, the Sports Officer at the institution, Benda jumped on the earliest flight to Ohio, US, following the likes of Robert Ngumire and Ali Lukungu.

He graduated with a degree in Business & Accounting in 2014 before upgrading to a Masters in Finance in 2022.

Ronald Mugabi and Edson Benda. (Courtesy photo)

In this exclusive interview with Vision Sports, Benda weighs in on his career choices before glorifying former Uganda Cranes captain Ibrahim Sekagya.

Question: What is Benda up to in the US?

Answer: I work for JP Morgan Chase, it’s a financial Quality Assurance institution. I am part of the institution’s audit quality assurance team.

Question: You were a special football talent. Why would you decide to abandon a sport you loved so much?

Answer: A couple of factors played into this. I was lucky enough to play for some good football teams in the Ugandan league. I decided to take a different route because I grew up in Jinja, which was the hub for football. Jinja had very good football players, players that I used to hear and read about while still in Primary. But when I grew older, the lives that these stars were living were miserable. I picked lessons from them and decided to stick with school. I just didn’t want to live the lives of our former football stars.

Benda with his son. (Courtesy photo)

I also learnt that football is a short career. You get to a time when you are not earning anymore as early as 35 years. I live a good life now because of the decision I took to stick with education.

Question: What do you miss about the sport?

Answer: A lot. I still play for fun, coach kids. But I miss playing for the fans, in front of big crowds, going to practice every day. I miss entertaining the fans.

Question: Do you ever imagine what you would have been if you had not moved to the US? A better pro player somewhere?

Former Proline captain Musa Mawanda graduates in Medicine (Oncology). Benda (left) and Mujib Kasule attended his graduation. (Courtesy photo)

Answer: Sometimes I imagine that. Sometimes I get mixed feelings seeing young players turn pro, players who weren’t as talented as I was. Kids who admired me, now making big money. Maybe if I wasn’t born in Uganda, I would be playing pro football somewhere in Europe.

Question: Ibrahim Sekagya has been promoted to assistant manager at New York Red Bulls. Does this mean that with proper football structures in Uganda, there is a possibility of producing more coaches in world football?

Answer: We really need to utilise our former international players. Former players like Sekagya. Sekagya is not a professional coach by mistake. I know he has been doing a lot of studying. Ibra is one of our best football exports. Ibra did well as a footballer and now as a coach.

Ibrahim Sekagya, the former captain of the Uganda Cranes. Recently, he was promoted to assistant manager at New York Red Bulls. (Courtesy photo)

I have followed him and I am not surprised by the progress he has made. He is so disciplined, always open to learning. He has put in a lot of work, learning different things about the game. He is so knowledgeable about the game.

With proper football structures in Uganda, we can benefit from the likes of Ibra.