Taddeo Lwanga’s inspiring journey of sacrifice, growth, and resilience

Photo by FUFA Media.

Uganda Cranes midfielder Taddeo Lwanga has opened up on a career marked by pivotal decisions, tough sacrifices and transformational experiences across East Africa and beyond.

Speaking during an interview on NBS Sport, the former SC Villa star revisited a moment in 2017 that could have dramatically altered his path — a failed transfer to KCCA FC.

The KCCA Deal That Never Was

In 2017, fresh off an impressive season with SC Villa that saw them finish second in the league standings, Lwanga was a hot commodity. He had caught the attention of KCCA, who had just clinched their 12th league title. A move seemed imminent until talks with coach Mike Mutebi hit a snag.

“There was an agreement in place, but I felt disrespected when the coach said they’d give me UGX 10 million as a sign-on fee while they monitored my performance,” Lwanga said. “I told him I was beyond the monitoring stage. I turned it down.”

Shortly after, a friend introduced him to Simon Ssekankya, who facilitated a quick connection with Vipers SC’s Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa. The rest, as they say, is history.

Instant Success at Kitende

Lwanga joined Vipers SC and instantly made an impact, winning the 2017/18 Uganda Premier League title. He remained with the club for another season before seeking new challenges beyond Uganda’s borders.

Before Vipers and Villa, Lwanga had already donned Express FC colors in the 2014/15 season — a move he made reluctantly due to his university studies at Makerere. It was coach Wasswa Bbosa, a relative, who convinced him to take the leap.

Egypt: Transformation Amidst Crisis

After his stellar showing for Uganda at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Lwanga secured a move to Egyptian side Tanta SC. It was in North Africa where he began to reshape his identity as a footballer.

“Before Egypt, I wasn’t very technical — not at Express, Villa, or even Vipers,” he admitted. “But playing for Tanta changed my game completely, especially my passing and tactical awareness.”

However, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic brought his Egyptian adventure to an abrupt halt. With football frozen and financial challenges mounting, Lwanga went over seven months without pay and eventually requested for his contract to be terminated.

Simba, Success, and Setbacks

The next chapter of his career led him to Tanzania’s Simba SC for the 2020/21 season. He hit the ground running, winning the league title in his debut campaign. But injuries soon followed.

“I was playing on painkillers — it became unbearable,” Lwanga shared. “We agreed I’d leave when my contract expired.”

Djibouti to Rwanda: Prioritising Competition Over Money

Following his exit from Simba, Lwanga had a brief stint at Arta/Solar7 in the Djibouti Premier League before making a surprising switch to Rwandan giants APR FC in 2023. Despite a lower salary than what he was earning in Djibouti, Lwanga chose APR for footballing reasons.

“I wanted to be in a more competitive league. Rwanda has improved, especially with the influx of foreign players,” he said.

The decision paid off. At APR, Lwanga won back-to-back league titles and lifted the Rwanda Peace Cup in the 2024/25 season — sealing a domestic double before confirming his departure. His next destination remains unknown, but speculation ranges from local clubs to a possible retirement.

Life Beyond Football: Engineering a Future

Now 31, Lwanga holds a Software Engineering degree from Makerere University — a qualification that gives him confidence about life after football.

“I can live comfortably even without football. If I ever need to, I’m certain I can find work using my degree,” he stated.

He credits his late father, Vincent Mukasa, for ensuring he completed his university education before committing fully to football — a decision he once resented but now deeply values.

A Story of Patience and Perseverance

Lwanga’s journey, from unpaid months at Express to regional trophies and international tournaments, is a story of patience, resilience, and self-belief.

“At Express, I only got paid once in my first six months,” he recalled. “But that platform opened up a world of opportunities.”

As he ponders his next move, one thing is certain — whether on the pitch or off it, Taddeo Lwanga has already secured his legacy.