By Denis West
Love or hate her, departing KCCA Executive director Jennifer Musisi Semakula will be missed by many – especially at KCCA FC base Lugogo.
Not because of her contagious smile and endowed hour-glass body but mostly due to her unprecedented generosity towards KCCA FC’s surge to the table of men in African football.
Look, in her seven and half years at the helm, KCCA FC won the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 league titles and two Uganda Cup trophies (2017, 2018).
Lest I forget, they won five Super Cup trophies but most outstandingly, KCCA made history by becoming the first Ugandan side to reach the Caf Champions League group stage in modern times – epic.
Belief has been high at Lugogo that might Magreb clubs like Al Ahly, Fus Rabat, Al Masry and Club Africain have fallen as the club gradually took over as the bedrock of Uganda Cranes.
Through her blue eyed boy Julius Kabugo, a former KCCA FC chairman, the club worked on an annual Shs4bn, bought the best players, best coaching set headed by the maverick Mike Mutebi, revamped the StarTimes Lugogo stadium, lured over five sponsors thus making the 12-league champions the model club in Uganda.
As she departs in December, the most lingering question is; will the burgeoning KCCA FC project Musisi kick-started at Lugogo stand or exit with her?
Lord Mayor and KCCA FC patron Erias Lukwago argues it will but Makindye Division Mayor and KCCA FC board member Ali Mulyanyama disagrees. “She has given us everything we have asked for without any conditions attached. Many people in other organizations are in her position but can’t do what she does,” he said in a crestfallen tone.
You needed to see Musisi once KCCA FC had achieved success to understand her charming, motherly and developmental character.
She could put aside her honors and perks then mingle and dance with players plus ensuring their bonuses are more than doubled – a rare trait in many a Ugandan administrators.
“She wants others to succeed, advises and is down to earth,” acting KCCA FC Chairman Aggrey Ashaba revealed.
Many KCCA FC fans don’t think that Ashaba, who is not director at KCCA-City Hall, has the spine to carry on minus Musisi and Kabugo.
But then again, an institution is bigger than any person, which is why KCCA FC has withstood the regimes of Christopher Yiga, Nasser Ssebagala, John Ssebaana Kizito (RIP) and now Lukwago.
But one thing is certain, they may not have the same swag, command and hope as the one Musisi had ushered in.