By Immanuel Ben Misagga
A few weeks ago, I made a decision that might have raised a few eyebrows. I filed a lawsuit against the current leadership of SC Villa, the club I once proudly led as president. I know what some of you might be thinking: why would a former president take his own club to court?
The answer is simple, but the story behind it is long and frustrating. Over the last few years, it has become painfully clear to me—and to many other committed stakeholders—that SC Villa is no longer being run as a democratic sports institution. It is being held hostage. A small group of individuals has locked the gates, thrown away the key, and is calling all the shots for its own benefit.
My goal with this suit was never to be adversarial for the sake of it. It was to bring some order back to the house—to remind everyone that there is a constitution for a reason and to ensure that, after years of infighting and contested mandates, we finally respect the club’s own organs and hold proper elections.
So, let us be clear about one thing: the SC Villa Congress is supposed to be the supreme body of this club. That is not my opinion; that is our rulebook. But tell me, when was the last time it was actually called upon to make a decision? Instead, every major move is made in the shadows, behind closed doors, completely bypassing the structures that are meant to protect the club’s integrity. It is disheartening.
Sadly, the response from the club’s top leadership—including trustees chairperson Gerald Ssendaula, club president Omar Ahmed Mandela, and CEO William Nkemba—has only confirmed my worst fears. It has become crystal clear this is not a misunderstanding; it is a takeover.
Here is the part that really gets under my skin. In their legal defense, they tried to argue that the court has no business hearing this case. They claim it should be sent to arbitration. Now, look, I believe in alternative dispute resolution. But let us be real: this is not just about me versus them. This is about tens of thousands of Villa fans whose voices are being silenced. This is about their right to choose who leads them.
And then there is the matter of term limits. The trustees received a five-year mandate starting December 31, 2019. Fair enough. But then, on July 24, 2025, they did something unbelievable: they decided to extend their own term. And the kicker? They extended it indefinitely.
Read that again. Indefinitely.
I find that not just unfortunate, but deeply troubling. Think about it: even President Museveni serves a five-year term and then faces the electorate. So what makes the leadership of SC Villa so special that they feel entitled to bypass that fundamental principle of democracy? It sets a dangerous precedent.
I will be honest with you: part of me is trying to tread carefully here. I have no desire for an ugly, adversarial confrontation with these elders. The club has finally started seeing some positive results on the pitch, and the last thing anyone wants is to disrupt that momentum. We all want what is best for SC Villa.
But their actions leave me with little choice. Their court submissions make it clear that they have no intention of loosening their grip. They talk about organizing elections in the coming months, but if they control the process, the timeline, and the rules, what is the point? It becomes a mere procession—a rubber-stamping exercise where they hold all the cards.
The takeaway from all of this is bigger than just a lawsuit. It is a wake-up call. The true stakeholders of this club—the fans—need to wake up and pay close attention to how their club is being managed. This is the moment to get involved, to raise your voices, and to demand a say in the future.
We need fresh, dynamic change to bring the glory days back. But that will only happen if we, the people who love this club, are willing to fight for it.
The author is a football investor and SC Villa President Emeritus.
