Bridget Nakayenga steadies URA FC's boat

As the Uganda Premier League heads to the wire, players and coaches are not the only ones subjected to the microscope, but also club administrators.

It is at this point that characters of consequence stand out. Club CEOs are key players in this mix.

Given their administrative responsibilities, these largely behind-the-scenes officials play a focal role in club stability.

What better way to gauge which CEO is shining than a look at the current table standings of the 16 team race?

Interestingly, two of the three names that stand out in this men's competition, are female.

Peter Lwanga, the CEO of table leading Vipers, of course, tops the list.

But for the sake of gender impact in what is an otherwise men's competition, I will dedicate this column to the two women.

These are URA's Bridget Nakayenga and KCCA FC's Anisha Muhoozi. They also happen to be not only the first but also only female CEO's in the league.

The two women are shining stars with Muhoozi in charge of second-placed KCCA and Nakayenga the anchor that has stabilised fourth positioned URA.

Female excellence seems to be no accident in our football. There is a history of women scoring very highly.

KCCA's best years came at the time when Jennifer Musisi was in charge of the White House.

To date, the club's stability has a lot to do with Musisi's legacy.

It is the same story with URA.

The tax collectors hit the big scene with Allen Kagina as Executive Director at Nakawa.

When she left, there was this fear that the new Executive Director Doris Akol would not entertain football.

The pessimists were mistaken as Akol came with even bigger dreams for URA's sports department.

Muhoozi took over the club CEO mantle from yet another woman Josephine Namukisa, who also had a league title and Uganda Cup to her name.

But maybe Nakayenga has a more catching story. She took up the job when URA was struggling early this year.

She immediately steadied the boat. Top on her agenda was improving relations with the coach Sam Ssimbwa thereby boosting the tactician's independence in player management.

This, coupled with better player welfare, has done wonders for the club.

What followed was a seven-match winning streak. Among the scalps that Ssimbwa has claimed are giants KCCA, Villa and very recently table leaders Vipers.

Amidst all this, Ssimbwa won the coach of the month title while his player Cromwell Rwothomio emerged top player.
Nakayenga even warns that they are not done.

"Don't be surprised if you see us in the news again for yet another monthly accolade," the official said.

The league title might be out of reach for URA, but not the Uganda Cup. Nakayenga confidently states that this year's performance will provide a solid foundation for an even better show next season.

"We corrected what was undermining us and believe it is time we also tasted the Confederation of African Football group stages.

Going by the seriousness of her expression, you realise that the likes of KCCA and Vipers will have a very serious title contender in the tax collectors.