Founded in 1957 by Jolly Joe Kiwanuka, Express FC is Uganda’s oldest football club and the only club to never test relegation. After the founder father, a son took over as chairman and many years in between, the grandson has stepped up to continue the legacy of the club many fondly call ‘Mukwano gwabangi’

 

The story of Express FC is deeply interwoven around the life and charisma of Jolly Joe Kiwanuka. In fact, it starts with Kiwanuka, but if the founder father had any dreams that his son and grand son would walking in his path, he never put that in writing.

But fate ultimately did more than engrave this as Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the third generation from the founder father, is the new Express Football Club chairperson.

Kiryowa Kiwanuka, himself popularly known by his initials as KK, is continuing the works of his forefathers as he replaces Hajji Hassan Bulwadda. The predecessor has been chairman of the Wankulukuku-based club for less than a year having taken over from Kiyingi Nakiwala.

Kiryowa, a top city lawyer, tweeted about his new role on Thursday, August 16, saying: “I have taken over the leadership of Express (Red Eagles) as its chairman. I would like to thank all those that have worked hard for Express over the years and call for the support of the Express fans and the entire footballing fraternity.”

In a statement, the club said Kiwanuka, 45, is tasked to appoint a full board, the management, and technical committees of the sports club and, all other club officials shall report to him.

Kiwanuka takes over at a time FC is seeing through a revamp process following the nervy 2017/18 season in which the club flirted with religion until the final day when they survived the drop.

The woes of the season saw the club force out Kiyingi from the helm of the club and replacing him with Bulwadda. Before Kiyingi–the first woman to take charge of the club–FC was under the stewardship of Kavuma Kabenge.

Kiryowa, who was appointed through a board meeting, sounded optimistic about what is expected of him at Wankulukuku.

“I am hoping I can make a difference. My first task is to get people I can work with. I have met a number of people. I hope it will work. The club’s problem has always been organisation. I believe this is something that can be sorted out,” he said.

For fans, the appointment of a man with the ‘true roots of the club’ is expected to galvanise the engines and fire the Red Eagles back to the passion and glory of the yesteryear.

Express last won the league title in 2011/12 season under manager Sam Ssimbwa

Who is Kiryowa Kiwanuka?

Kiryowa Kiwanuka is the son of former FC chairman Jimmy Mugambe Kiwanuka and a partner at K&K Advocates. He is one of the two pioneer partners at the firm having started K&K Advocates in October 2001 with Edwin Karugire.

Kiryowa has practiced Commercial Law, Labor Law and Energy Law for over 18 years and although his focus is mainly on Oil and Gas law currently, he is still very passionate and active in Commercial Litigation.

In sports, Kiryowa is an avid follower of golf as a player and leader having served in various capacities in golf administration. He has been the Secretary and Chairman of the Entebbe Club and also served as the Vice President and President of Uganda Golf Union.

During his tenure as President of the Uganda Golf Union, Uganda won Zone VI Golf Championship as well as the East African Champions two years in a row.

Some former Express FC chairmen

Jolly Joe Kiwanuka

Jimmy Mugambe Kiwanuka

Patrick Kiwanuka

Bbaale Mugera

Meddie Ssebaggala

Patrick Kirumira

Sam Kiwanuka

Kavuma Kabenge

Florence Nakiwala

Hassan Bulwadda