Muhumuza on Mulindwa's role at Vipers SC, Villa heartbreak and his coaching legacy

Photo: Vipers SC Media

Vipers SC co-coach Fred Muhumuza has clarified that club president Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa does not interfere with matchday team selections for the reigning Uganda Premier League champions.

Speaking during an appearance on NBS Sport, Muhumuza stressed that Mulindwa’s involvement is mainly in recruitment, not tactical decisions.

“Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa doesn’t interfere with line-ups,” Muhumuza stated. “But he will be concerned when a player he signs doesn’t get playing time. He’ll ask, ‘Did I sign the wrong player?’”

Muhumuza also revisited a significant moment in his coaching journey, reflecting on how his URA FC side denied SC Villa a league title on the final day of the 2022/23 Uganda Premier League season.

“Heading into that game against Villa, I told the players we were going to make history,” he said. “Because had we failed to win, people would have claimed we were bribed to let Villa win the league. I’m glad we won that game.”

Alongside John 'Ayala' Luyinda, Muhumuza recently joined Vipers head coach Alex Isabirye Musongola in guiding the Venoms to a domestic double — a feat that places the trio among the elite coaches in Ugandan football. Others in this exclusive club include Geoff Hudson and Polly Ouma (SC Villa), Mike Mutebi (KCCA FC), Jimmy Muguwa (Express FC), and Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic (SC Villa).

As the club looks to the future, Vipers SC are expected to strengthen their technical bench with the appointment of a foreign head coach in the current transfer window, under whom both Muhumuza and Ayala are expected to serve. On the player recruitment front, the Venoms have reportedly made a notable addition by signing Jude Ssemugabi from Kitara FC.