SC Villa to part ways with Byekwaso, eye Mbabazi for assistant coaching role

Morley Byekwaso. Photo by David Isabirye.

Record Ugandan champions SC Villa are set for major technical changes ahead of the new season, with reports indicating that head coach Morley Byekwaso is on his way out following a disappointing 2024/25 campaign.

According to sources close to the club, the Jogoos are planning to appoint a foreign tactician to take charge of the team, marking a fresh direction for the 17-time league champions. As part of this restructuring, SC Villa is also in advanced talks with experienced coach Charles Livingstone Mbabazi to join the incoming technical team as an assistant.

Mbabazi is currently unattached after parting ways with Mbarara City FC earlier this year and is reportedly open to the idea of returning to top-tier football in a supporting role. The move would reunite him with Premier League action, having previously worked with several clubs including Wakiso Giants, Onduparaka, Soltilo Bright Stars, Vipers SC, and Lweza FC, as well as the Somalia national team.

The impending reshuffle effectively rules out any possibility of Byekwaso staying at the club in any capacity. His departure comes after Villa failed to mount a title defense, finishing sixth in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League with 45 points—24 behind champions Vipers SC. The Venoms also knocked them out of the Uganda Cup at the quarterfinal stage.

On the player front, SC Villa is also bracing for a significant overhaul. Key midfield pillar Ronald Ssekiganda has confirmed his departure after agreeing to join Rwandan giants APR FC. Meanwhile, attacking sensation Patrick Jonah Kakande is expected to leave as well, with no signs of a contract renewal.

As Villa gears up for a new era, the club hopes the coaching adjustments, including the potential addition of Mbabazi, will help them rebuild and return to title contention.