It was the first time for a Ugandan club to win the regional title. In a final graced by President Idi Amin, Jaberi Bidandi Ssali’s charges defeated Tanzania’s Simba via shoot-out, with Phillip Omondi, Tom Lwanga and Moses Sentamu scoring for the home side.
Forty-six years since this milestone, it is about time to find the whereabouts of the members of that victorious side.
Jamil Kasirye
The giant custodian went on to win a place in the 1978 Afcon squad but remained a reserve goalie in Ghana. After winning the 1979 and 1980 Uganda Cup titles, he crossed to SC Villa. He is currently bedridden.
Samuel Musenze
He was the club’s skipper and collected the trophy from President Amin. The defender also went to Ghana with the Uganda Cranes and played all the five games. Tagged life captain, Musenze retired in 1984. He passed on January 20, 1994.
Ashe Mukasa
He was a late inclusion in this team after a brief retirement following the banning of his former side, Express FC, in 1977. He played all the games and went on to feature in the 1978 Afcon in Ghana. He lives in Bunga, a Kampala suburb.
Rashid Mudin
He rose through the club ranks and became a solid defender. His partnership with Jimmy Kirunda was solid. The towering defender also travelled to Ghana for the 1978 Afcon. He died on June 8, 1998.
Jimmy Kirunda
The classy defender played a game of his life, keeping Simba’s danger man Abddallah Kibadeni at bay. He would later captain Uganda Cranes to the 1978 Afcon final in Ghana. He died on May 25, 2020.
Tom Lwanga
Naturally a centre back, he was switched to the midfield in the tournament and excelled with his tackling and passing. Two months later, Lwanga switched back to defence and partnered Kirunda in the Ghana Afcon in 1978. He retired in 1987 and lives in Bukoto, Kampala.
Moses Sentamu
The diminutive winger was part of the lethal striking line and his combination with Omondi, Christopher Ddungu and Timothy Ayiekoh was a joy to watch in the tournament. Sentamu also travelled to Ghana for the 1978 Afcon. He played for KCCA until 1985 when he quit the game. He lives in Kabowa, Kampala.
Moses Nsereko
He enjoyed a colossal presence in the tournament but was substituted in the final after picking up an injury. Nsereko went on to be named in the continental team of the 1978 Afcon. Upon return, he coached the club until 1987. He was shot dead on September 15, 1991.
Christopher Ddungu
He led the striking line in the tournament but was tightly marked throughout the final. He left the club shortly afterwards and moved to Nile FC. He lives in Salaama, Munyonyo.
Phillip Omondi
He was the tournament standout player. At the 1978 Afcon, he emerged joint top scorer. He also joined semi-professional football in UAE. He died on April 21, 1999.
Billy Kizito
His crosses on the left wing greatly awed fans but he was substituted in the second half. Kizito later crossed to Kenya. He died on November 16, 1997.
Substitutes
Timothy Ayiekoh
Ayiekoh had a good tournament and scored a hat-trick against Luo Union but he started the final on the bench and later came on for Kizito. He died on November 18, 2017.
Angelo Dote
In the final, he came on for Nsereko and the industrious midfielder did not disappoint.
Other squad members included Hassan Biruma, John Latigo, Peter Mazinga, Hussein Matovu, George Mukasa and Moses Matovu, Davis Kamoga and Charles Katumba.
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