Express survives eviction at Kanyanya

By James Bakama and Julius Ssenyimba

IT took some serious pleading on Tuesday for Express to survive eviction from a ground the club has been using for training in Kanyanya.

The Red Eagles were almost kicked off the ground for charging other teams a fee for usage of the field that Express only discovered this week belongs to someone else.

Express officials led by Logistics/Operations officer Wasswa Matovu pleaded for forgiveness with members of the late George William Matovu family that owns the land.

The family accordingly allowed Express to continue using the ground on condition that they also allow other teams in the area to use it. “Yes, we have allowed them to use the ground,” confirmed a family member Joseph Matovu.

The club's training was on Monday interrupted by the land owners and police who wanted Express off the ground.

Trouble started on Sunday when Express official Sula Lusonda set a sh0.3m per month charge for each club and school using the ground. The teams however appealed to the Matovu family.

Express coach Sam Ssimbwa resisted Monday’s eviction. He insisted that the ground was Express property.   Club officials and family members then proceeded to Kanyanya Police station where the family had already filed a case.

It was at the station, where the owners had filed a case, that Express officials finally learnt that the the two hectare on Plot 898, Block 207 Kyadondo  where the pitch sis belongs to the Matovu family.

An ardent Express fan, George William Matovu, now deceased, in the sixties offered neighbouring plots 77 and 78, Block 210, Kyadondo to Express.

Rosemary Matovu, wife of the deceased, explained that the two parties agreed on setting up a stadium benefitting the family and club equally. 

"We took the effort to level our side but Express didn't develop their part. They later settled on our part. There would be no problem if they hadn't charged my community money.”

Express secretary John Kitenda said plans are on to develop their part. “We had planned to start this year but are still financially constrained.” The club also possesses a title for the land.