60 years ago, on 12th April, 1963, the late Samuel Wamala founded Kampala City Council Football Club now known as Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club.
Wamala was the head of the Council’s Sewage Works section in the City Engineering Department. The club initially was dominated by casual workers in the sewage section but subsequently expanded to cover all departments within Kampala City Council.
Nicknamed the Kasasiro Boys (Garbage Collectors) derived from the one of the roles of the City Council at the time which was to collect garbage from communities in Kampala City.
KCC joined the Kampala and District Football League (KDFL) Third Division (which was divided into two sections) in 1965, and the team advanced quickly under the leadership of Bidandi Ssali, the head coach, and Samuel Wamala, the chairman. After placing sixth in their inaugural campaign, they were promoted from the Third Division South in 1966 by taking second place.
KCC competed in Division One of the KDFL against clubs such as Express FC, Army FC, KDS (Kampala District Bus Services), Railways, UEB, and Nsambya. However, they were relegated to Division Two in 1971. The KDFL was then canceled to make way for a larger, multi-divisional national competition, which was already running concurrently with the National Football League at the time. KCC, along with Nsambya and NIC, joined the newly formed National League second tier.
By 1974, KCC had been promoted to the National League and finished second in both of their first and second seasons, trailing Express FC by only one point. The following season, KCC finished one point ahead of Express to win their first championship. They also won the championship more emphatically in 1977, despite Express’s reported participation in anti-government activities that season. The National League’s second tier was established.
In 1978, Simba FC, the army team, won the regional club championships in Kampala, with KCC finishing second. The Council team, on the other hand, became the first Ugandan team to win the competition by winning the CECAFA Clubs Cup. President Idi Amin presented the trophy to KCC captain Sam Musenze.
Players representing KCC included Phillip Omondi, Jimmy Kirunda, Jamil Kasirye, Hussein Matovu, Tom Lwanga, Sam Musenze, Yusuf Toyota, Peter Mazinga, Apolo Lumu, Billy Kizito, Hussein Matovu, Chris Dungu, Gerald Kabaireho, Ashe Muksa, Rashid Mudin, Moses Sentamu, Timothy Ayeieko, Angelo Dotte and Hassan Biruma, Peter Wandtette.
Regrettably, the 1978 team disbanded when some of its key players moved to the United Arab Emirates and turned semi-professional. However after bringing in young players like Godfrey Kateregga, Sam Mugambe, and top scorer Davis Kamoga, the team made a significant effect on the Ugandan Cup, taking home the trophy in 1979 after receiving a walk-over for their match against Uganda Commercial Bank FC in the championship.
The club had its heyday in the 1980s, winning the Uganda Cup in 1980, 1982, 1984, and 1987, as well as the league championship in 1981, 1983, and 1985. Davis Kamoga, who scored 21 goals in 1980, and Frank Kyazze, who scored 18 goals in 1984 and 28 goals in 1985, both contributed significantly to the club’s success.
KCC had a less successful period after that, though they did win the Super League in 1991 and 1997, as well as the Uganda Cup in 1990 and 1993. Following the championship victory in 1997, there was a period of administrative problems and upheaval, including the appointment and dismissal of a number of coaches.
KCC won the league championship for the first time in over a decade in 2007-08, thanks to a rising star in striker Brian Umony, who scored 15 goals and later moved on to the professional ranks with Supersport United of South Africa. The club repeated the feat in 2012-13, finishing 7 points ahead of Uganda Revenue Authority SC. Another achievement in the last decade was winning the Uganda Cup in 2004.
In terms of international club football, KCC reached the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1978 and 1982, as well as the second round in 1977, 1984, 1986, and 1992. [6] They have also played in the CAF Champions League twice (in 1998 and 2009), the CAF Cup four times (in 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2002), the CAF Confederation Cup twice (in 2005 and 2009), and the CAF Cup Winners’ Cup seven times (in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1991, and 1994).
KCCA FC has won thirteen league championships, a record ten Ugandan Cups, as well as two CECAFA Clubs Cups at the regional level, six super cups, Nkurunziza Peace Cup among other titles.
*Star Players
For one to attain legend status at KCCA FC, they must have served the club for at least 10 years, also accomplished something significant during their stay at the club either as a player, coach, official or administrator.
Over the years, since 1963, the club has produced star players that have gone on to take the game by storm for both club and country.
Among these are; Philip Omondi, Moses Nsereko (RIP), Jimmy Kirunda (RIP), Frank Kyazze, Sam Musenze, Sam Mugambe, Charles Masiko, Tom Lwanga, Jackson Mayanja, Paul Ssali, Sam Ssimbwa, Derrick Muyanja, Wilbur Musika, John Ross Latigo, Sadiq Wassa, George Nsimbe, Davis Kamoga among others.
*Current Status Of The Club.
In 2015, KCC FC rebranded and changed name to KCCA FC. This was after KCCA was established in 2010 under an Act of parliament as a corporate governing body replacing KCC.
The club was offered the registration certificate by FUFA ahead of the 2015/16 season campaign with the name KCCA FC which it holds up to date.
The club has got strong support from FUFA, the governing body of football in Uganda and StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
KCCA FC is the only club in Uganda that has played in the groups stages of both the prestigious CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
KCCA FC is the most successful football club in Uganda and has won thirteen league championships, a record ten Ugandan Cups, as well as two CECAFA Clubs Cups at the regional level, six super cups, Nkurunziza Peace Cup among other titles.
The club is governed by a board of directors that is led by the Chairman. The board is appointed by the Club patron who is the sitting Lord Mayor of Kampala and the Executive Director of KCCA.
The club is professionally run by a fulltime management staff led by the Chief Executive Officer.
KCCA FC has got two teams, the senior men’s team and its feeder side the KCCA FC Soccer Academy.
In total the club employs close to 70 members of staff.
The club has various sponsors and these are KCCA, Chint Electric, Britam Insurance, MTN Uganda and partners like 22 BET, Blink Logistics, Mpaatanel Company Limited, and Century Cinema.
*Fans
The club’s fans have got a fans’ executive that was voted into power by the fans on 22nd February 2019. The committee comprises of eleven members that served for four years from 22nd February 2019 till 22nd February 2023. New Fans Leaders elections are due this year
Some of the roles of the Fans’ Executive Committee are; Review, initiation and strengthening fan branches, prepare guidelines for set-up and operation of the fans branches, modify the constitution for fans, conduct quarterly monitoring and supervision visits to the fans branches, open new fans branches in Uganda, open new fans branches outside Uganda, hold fans and membership events, establish a fans code of conduct, recruit, train and develop fans interactions
*The Future of KCCA FC
KCCA FC has plans to improve Human Capital Development through enhancing the skills, knowledge and talent of individuals in order to create economic value for the individuals, the club and other stakeholders.
Development of Infrastructure and facilities. Currently, the club is in phase one of construction works of the redevelopment of a state of the art MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo. This will happen in a phased manner. The development of the stadium will ensure quality and appropriate facilities for players, coaches, officials, fans, sponsors and the media.
Improving governance, systems and processes through setting up stronger structures as efficient platforms to support the club operations.
Increase of financial growth and sustainability as this will help the club achieve financial independence through profitable football and non football operations.
Improved fans and membership growth through setting proper guidelines for operations of all fans activities.
There will be a series of planned events to commemorate the 60 years celebrations and the culmination of the diamond jubilee will be marked at a later date that will be communicated soon.
The #KCCAFC60 celebrations will be an ensemble of the past, present and posterity.
Here’s to 60 more years of impeccable mastery.
*Source: KCCA FC media.
