By William Muwonge and Sabiiti Muwanga

GEORGE Semogerere is the new coach of Express FC, taking over from Polly Ouma who has reigned for two months.

Ouma was signed by former Express chairman Godfrey Kirumira, replaced by Kiwanuka at the club’s general assembly ten days ago.

Semogerere,37,a former captain of the team, was named to take over by the new Express chairman Sam Kiwanuka yesterday.

“Semogerere has leadership qualities, he served the club with a lot of dedication as captain,” Kiwanuka said.

Former international Semogerere, who captained Express for nine years until he quit football in 2000, will be assisted by Kefa Kisala and Edward Kalungi.

Kiwanuka said the coaches will work closely with the director of football Ashe Mukasa and his deputy Robert Aloro.

The directors who are also former internationals were Kiwanuka’s first appointees in the technical department.

Semogerere started his coaching career with Military Police in 2001. He moved to Masaka LC side, then coached Tanzania premier league side Kagera Sugar.

Meanwhile, the election of seasoned administrator Kiwanuka as Express FC chairman has been hailed by the National Union of Football Fans (NUFFA).

In a congratulatory message to the chairman-elect, NUFFA boss Joseph Kizito expressed optimism that the club is finally “talking football.”

“As a person from a family with a strong relation to the genesis of football in Uganda, together with your professional attributes, NUFFA has no doubt to believe that you will drive Express to greater heights,” Kizito wrote.

He said a competitive Express FC would translate into better standards of football, on the pitch and off it, in Uganda.