Uganda Premier League outfit Mbarara City FC has stayed the longest in the local top-flight football than any other western Uganda side.

The Ankole Lions are currently playing in their 5th consecutive league season, becoming the only club from this region to have stayed the longest in the local football competition without being relegated.

The nearest a club from this part of the country has come to this is when the now out of existencedefunct Mbarara United played in three consecutive seasons before finally dropping, while the rest, Biharwe FC, Rwampara FC, Bushenyi United, Rwenshama FC, Horizon FC, all were relegated in the same year they were promoted.

However, Mbarara City’s long stay seems to be coming to the end, as they have completely failed to hold the grip this season, occupying the 2nd last position on the table with a mere 17 points from 20 games with only 10 games left for the curtain to close on the league this season.

With the increasing despairing situation at Kakyeka, the survival chances for Sadiq Ssempigi's side seem to be growing slimmer with every fixture and five major reasons seem to be making the Ankole Lions park their bags.

Player exits

Mbarara City FC has once faced relegation in the five seasons they have been in the top flight and that was during their first season in the top flight, the 2017/2018 season, but they survived.

It should be noted that Mbarara City, then Citizen High School FC, had been relegated from the 2015/2016 FUFA Big League but returned in the 2016/2017 season after proprietor Mwene Mpaka bought off Wakiso United, the season that became their promotional year into the top flight at Mbarara City.

A protest by Mbarara City FC fans

But since then, the side has been a scouting ground for top-flight sides, with Vipers having become the biggest beneficially, having taken 3 of their stars.

The players' exits have become a major reason as to why Mbarara City has not held on to the grip, and with the latest of the Mukundane Hilary, who went out to Vipers in the mid-season transfer, has left a big gap uncovered.

These players have been leaving because of failed contract talks, which Mwene Mpaka says he cannot negotiate beyond the team’s financial capacity, meaning the club loses stars who are not replaced, instead they keep rebuilding.

A dozen of players have left the club, Abraham Orit (Vipers), Ivan Eyam (Arua Hills), Brian Aheebwa (KCCA), Paul Mucureezi (Vipers), Bashir Mutanda (free agent), Arishe Kihogo (sc Villa), Ali Kimera (Busoga United), Muhamed Rashid (Aua Hills), John Obina (free agent), Solomon Okwalinga (free agent), Gadaffi Gadino (Arua Hills), Clinton Kamugisha (Nyamityobora) and Samarie Farouk (Kigezi Home Boys) and lately Hilary Mukundane

Change of coaches

Sadiq Ssempigi who is back at Mbarara City for the third time, is the 3rd in just 6 months, after Kefa Kisala who fell off before the start of the season in September and was replaced by Hussein Mbalangu who resigned at the end of the first round in January.

Mbarara City management is known for having no time to wait for the coach’s deliveries and it's no wonder Ssempigi's reign is the 13th of Mbarara City coaches in these few seasons.

As coaches come with different staff, players, and demands coupled with different tactics and formations, the frequent change of guards has seriously affected Mbarara City.

Poor Motivation

This is a major concern at Mbarara City as the levels of motivation to the players and staff is said to be going low every time.

A source from within the club revealed that players go months without pay and with a very small winning bonus.

“The motivation is very low and we don’t know whether the club owner (Mwene Mpaka) gives out the money to the officials and the officials fail to give it to the players. But what I know, their salaries are delayed and it is little as well,” The source said.

Without disclosing the details, club owner Mwene Mpaka says the least paid player is given 500,000 shillings per month and that he cannot negotiate contracts that stress the budget especially now that the coronavirus pandemic has crippled the economy globally.

“We are struggling because our sponsors withdrew after the pandemic hit the economy globally. We can’t do much to this kind of situation,” Mwene Mpaka said.

Poor recruitment

The financial challenges have seen Mbarara City allow the stars to run down their contracts without renewal just because the club can’t afford new contracts that come with hefty demands.

This has also seen the club go for low profile players to fill the gaps, a big asking for any club that is competing in the league of big spenders KCCA, Vipers, URA, Express, Arua Hills, BUL, to mention.

“Mbarara City is a competing club in the local league and we shall keep using the players we can afford to keep competing. Players leave because they want higher salaries and signing fees to invest than most clubs can afford,” Mwene Mpaka insists.

Sole ownership effect

Mbarara City belongs to the sole owner Mwene Mpaka, who is also the Member of Parliament for Mbarara City South.

As the sole owner, Mwene Mpaka has the powers over decision-making in terms of players' and coaches' recruitment.

Although he listens to a few of the members of club management, his decisions are said to be final and unchallenged.

This has caused a lot of concern and led to fans’ divisions as seen after the resignation of Mbalangu, when a group of fans protested at Kakyeka, accusing management of conspiracy.