The ex Simba, UPDF, KCC Fc, Sc Villa, Express Fc, URA Fc and Mpologoma clan tactician was born today on 25th November 1967 to Eriya Kayondo Basena and Nayiga Christine, residents of Bulele in Mukono (now Buikwe district).

He played numerous positions on the pitch but his preferred role was a right back which he played at Coffee sports club and sports club Villa where he was deputising for an injury prone William Nkemba and Paul Edwin Hasule(RIP).

He started his football career at the defunct Tobacco fc in 1986 where he played with star players like Stephen Bogere, Abdul Ddumba, Edward Kaziba (current Jogoo coach), Godfrey Sseruwagi, Yashin Shaban and Mike Letti.

Basena being unveiled at Sunrise fc in Rwanda

He then played for another defunct side in Coffee sports club aka ‘Kaawa Kawomera’ in 1990, helping to a second place finish in his maiden season with players like Obadiah Semakula aka ‘Musanvu Wa Ggwanga’, John Mbuga, Mathias Kaweesa, Ibrahim Kizito Buwembo, John Mapeera, Vincent Semanobe and the great left back Richard Mugalu.

1n 1992, he joined Sports Club Villa helping the ‘Jogoos’ to a league title with great players like Paul Mukatabala, Paul Nkata, Paul Hasule (RIP), William Nkemba, Mi Mukasa, David Kyagulanyi, Magid Musisi (RIP), Sula Kato, Robert Mukiibi among others.

He is memorably remembered for scoring the lone goal as Sports club Villa were held 1-1 by West African Giants ASEC MIMOSAS at Nakivubo war memorial stadium.

Basena together with his assistants preparing for a Cranes game against Egypt

Later in 1994 after two seasons at the Nsambya based side, he returned back to coffee sports club before retiring into playing football, he guided his Mpologoma clan to win the 2002 Bika football competition trophy.

In his entire career, he played for three clubs which include Tobacco, Sports club Villa and Coffee sports club though he joined the Uganda Cranes in the early 90’s.

He was the interim Cranes coach before Frenchman Desabre Sabastien took on the mantle assisted by Mathias Ssalongo Lule.