Kyeyune
The Express FC and SC Villa rivalry 25 years ago used to make so many Ugandan football fans frantic.
Yet, as the two teams prepare to clash on today under the floodlights of the Hamz Nakivubo stadium, few simply care. Express are ninth on the log and have only managed one win, one draw and three losses in their last five games in the 2025/26 Uganda Premier League season.
On the other hand, SC Villa, under their new Serbian coach, Zeljko Kovacevic, are third on the league table, with seven wins, two draws and two losses in 11 league games thus far. The disparity between these two historical rivals has never been more distinct.
Yet, the question that remains, is how what used to be considered one of the greatest rivalries in club football in the world can be revived? Hamza Jjunju, a lifelong Express fan, and former club Chief Executive Officer noted that the moment resources diminished at his club, then their powers waned dramatically.
Jjunju noted: “Between 2016 and 2017, when we nearly got relegated because we did not have good players, and even the fine ones kept jumping ship because they went months unpaid, the club was revived upon the advent of Kiryowa Kiwanuka (the Attorney General). As a result, the club was restored to its glory days, and won a couple of trophies and everyone was happy again; Express was back.”
But that did not last long. After a successful 2020/2021 season, the club got back to its old ways, that started with an exodus of top players and coaches. Now, what has happened most recently is the fans choosing to stay away from the club. Led by Julius Bakunda, the Express fans leadership wrote to the club management in November 2025, notifying it of their intentions to stay away unless they are made aware of what exactly is happening at their club.
In fact, true to their communication, the fans have stayed away. Late last year, when The observer contacted the club’s current chairman, Suubi Kiwanuka, the younger brother of the Attorney General, he said that they were doing their utmost to reorganise the club by ensuring that they attracted more investment.
But as it is, the fans are yet to receive any response from Kiwanuka. Yet, what they have witnessed, is the fact that a host of players they had last season jumped ship. That was followed by the departure of coach Badru Kaddu, who joined NEC FC.
The key denominator in all this, has been lack of money, a theme song for the last three years, that followed Express FC’s league and Cecafa club championship triumph in 2021. To the fans, the lack of official communication about the team’s strategic direction has been a downturn.
Also, the unending player turnover and failure to pay the players’ wages on time, has made many feel that the administration is taking them for granted. So, they would rather stay away until their concerns are addressed.
As it is, the situation at Express FC is becoming dire. For the players, who know how etched in history this club, which started in 1957 is, to play games to echoing sounds has proved a big let down. Jimmy Kintu, the club’s recently appointed coach noted: “We obviously do not like the state of affairs because fans have over the years been the driving force of this club. They have eternally created an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams, a platform upon which Express has normally built its confidence to win games.”
It is at this time that the fans support is even more important. Express host their arch-enemy Villa. When Express played at Wankulukuku stadium from 1991, it was not until 2006, that the Jogoos first tasted victory there.
That says a lot about how big the rivalry between the two sides was. But also, how daunting a task it used to be for Villa getting into the Eagle’s nest. However, it is unlikely that such will be the case this time, considering how well Villa has been playing lately. Villa has made it a recent habit of beating Express home and away.
It is a pointer to how low the Red Eagles have fallen, a fact that must make the likes of Fred Tamale, Robert Aloro and George Ssimwogerere suffer in agony about what it used to be. That is not to say that Villa can afford to underestimate Express.
Last season, Express beat Villa 1-0 at Nakivubo, even though, the Jogoos went into the game in some good form. Villa won the reverse fixture by a similar scoreline. Essentially, the unpredictability of this fixture speaks volumes of why form heading into it, does not say it all. Normally, it has been about the adrenaline, which brings out the “who wants it more” aspect.
Notably, there is a major concern that for as long as the Express fans stay away from watching their team’s games, the beginning of the end of this great club could be in the offing.
Already, as time has shown, the likes of Nsambya FC, Coffee FC, Nalubaale FC and Nile FC, teams that had such big following, no longer exist in the top flight or have become defunct.
It would be a disaster if Express were to go that route; not that their current existence is having a significant impact on Ugandan football as it is. Express are a sleeping giant, and the world over, football eyeballs depend of rivalries.
SC Villa’s purpose is dependent on the continued drive at KCCA FC, Express and most recently, Vipers. So, is Ugandan football. For so many people, without SC Villa and Express beefing, the game tonight means nothing!
