Remembering George Mukasa, the giant that guided both SC Villa and Express to their firsts

What the report says

George Kyagaba Mukasa, a former Ugandan goalkeeper and coach, has died at Mengo Hospital, according to The Observer. The newspaper reports that he passed away on Sunday, November 1, aged 79, after a liver complication. Mukasa was described as a respected but low-profile figure in Ugandan football, remembered for his authority as both a player and a coach.

The report traces his career from local football in Kisenyi-Mengo to stints with Nakivubo Boys, Express and later KCCA. As a goalkeeper, he was noted for his reflexes and helped KCCA during one of the club’s strong eras, including its rise to the top flight and its first league title. He also featured for Uganda’s national side in the 1970s and was part of the team at the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations, though injury limited his role there.

Mukasa later became a coach and helped launch KCCA’s youth set-up, City Cubs, which developed several players. He then moved to SC Villa and guided the club to its first league title in 1982, a milestone that deepened the rivalry with KCCA. He later joined Express and led them to their first Uganda Cup victory in 1985. The article says he also coached Fufa’s national team briefly and later worked with other clubs, leaving a broad legacy in Ugandan football.