David GOMBE
SC Villa’s current president Al Hajji Omar Mandela has confirmed that he will once again contest for the same position during this year’s club elections.
At the Annual General Meeting held on Sunday at East High in Ntinda confirmed that it will hold its presidential elections on March 22nd 2026. The registered Villa members also unanimously agreed that all those who are to contest for presidency must pay a non-refundable fee of Shs100m.
Incumbent club president Mandela used the Annual General Meeting to confirm his presidential bid.
“I never wanted to come back but a few people convinced me, the club was in debt of Shs550M brought by those making noise in the media.”
“Uganda’s problem is everyone wants already done things. There’s too much noise but I am here. I beg the fans to be patient with the process to compete on the continent, you need at least five years to build a good team. We are trying to do that for now let’s work together and grow the club. I want to confirm that I am around, I am not going anywhere like it’s been said.” Said Mandela.
Mandela returned to the helm in November 2021 after his official departure in 2004, is set to battle with Farouk Meywa who has also expressed interest in the club leadership.
Meywa last time didn’t pay the nomination fee of Shs19.5 and didn’t have a complete list of executive members and it remains to be seen if he will raise the Shs100m non-refundable fee this time that has been put in place for those who will contest for Villa presidency.
Following his return, Mandela helped the club end it’s 20-year title drought during the 2023/24 season as well as recruiting foreign coaches, improving players welfare and having a competitive team.
SC Villa are still chasing both the Uganda Premier and Uganda Cup this season. Villa is Uganda’s most successful club having won a record seventeen league titles, nine Uganda Cups and three CECAFA Cups.