“No apology, No payment”: Why Mbale Heroes are yet to pay coach Asaph

Photo by Mbale Heroes Media.

The conflict between coach Asaph Mwebaze and Mbale Heroes FC over unpaid dues has escalated into a dramatic standoff involving accusations, legal action, and public backlash.

Despite acknowledging a debt of UGX 11.4 million owed to Mwebaze, the Mbale-based club, through its CEO Chris Omony, has declared it will not process the payment unless certain conditions are met, including an apology from the coach.

With Legal action taken after months of frustration, Mwebaze, who served the club in two separate spells, decided to escalate the matter to the FUFA Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC). He petitioned FUFA, demanding full payment of his dues.

In response to the DRC, the club submitted a written defense on April 25, 2025, admitting they owe the money, but alleging the coach’s conduct left them with no choice but to withhold payment.

Allegations Against Mwebaze in the same letter, Omony accused Mwebaze of public misconduct, stating the coach had “engaged in public banter” targeting club leadership—specifically chairman Andrew Wambi—and fans, which allegedly caused reputational and financial damage.

“While we were aware of his payment and had intentions to process it, his recent actions raised significant concerns,” the club’s letter read. Mbale Heroes even attached screenshots of Mwebaze’s social media activity to back their claims of defamation. Worse still, the club claimed Mwebaze signed a contract without executive consent, allegedly forging the chairman’s signature.

Investigations into the forgery allegations are said to be ongoing. Payment hinges on an apology and the club insists that for any payment to be considered, Mwebaze must issue a formal apology to chairman Wambi and retract all negative statements made about the club. “An apology is a precondition,” Omony emphasized, “as requested by the club chairman himself.”

Mwebaze: “I will not apologize, but Mwebaze is not having it. He remains firm in his stance that he won’t apologize for demanding what he believes he rightfully earned. The historical chairman of our famous club wants an apology from me, so as to pay my money?” Mwebaze responded in disbelief.

He added sarcastically: “Wambi should be told by those near him that he can get that kind of adoration from his house help or garden boys.” The former coach emphasized that Wambi, a lawyer by profession, should be the last person to misinterpret contract law. “If he wants, he can take me to court or arrest me. But I’m not apologizing,” Mwebaze said defiantly.

The club in crisis since Mwebaze’s departure in January, its fortunes have worsened. With only three matches left in the 2024/25 season, Mbale Heroes have already been relegated from the Uganda Premier League, sitting rock bottom with just 10 points from 27 matches.

Mwebaze, now detached from the chaos, has confirmed he will return to Mbale on May 17, not to coach, but to watch his beloved KCCA FC face Kataka in the Uganda Cup semi-final second leg.