Kiryowa Kiwanuka delighted with renewed enthusiasm of Express fans

Last season saw Express battle several challenges both on and off the pitch. At one time, its own fans opted to boycott watching games citing poor management of the club.

The boycott stretched from November 2025 to February 2026 with some of the questions raised including; lack of leadership, poor welfare of players and match fixing concerns.

Around the same time, the club lost coach Badru Kadddu who moved to NEC and was later followed by key players like Richard Basangwa, Hakim Wandera and Muhammad Ssenoga Kagawa among others.

Without a club CEO, following the suspension of Ashiraf Miiro by FUFA on allegations of match-fixing, Wilfred Mudanya who was the team media officer was appointed to serve as an interim manager till the end of the season.

After the end of the 2025/26 season, several efforts were made from fans and some key stakeholders to make sure the club regains its past glory. And indeed the efforts helped in restructuring of the club administration.

Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Kiryowa Kiwanuka who had previously served as club President took on the role of patron with his young brother Ssubi Kiwanuka becoming the Club President.

Sports Journalist Becky Cynthia Nakimera was appointed the club CEO and has since gone on to restructure the staff that runs the club.

Several efforts have been made to reach out to the corporate world and get sponsors on board, already with Cornerstone and NIC Holdings Insurance part of the Red Eagles family.

On the coaching front, Morley Byekwaso was appointed alongside Edward Kaziba as his assistant and this was followed by a massive recruitment drive of players, blending both experience and youngsters.

All the aforementioned interventions have been good music to the ears of the Express fans who have indeed returned in big numbers to support the club.

Despite a slow start which has seen the club pick four points out of the possible twelve, the display on the pitch has been encouraging and signs of improvement are evident.

While speaking to the media after the 1-1 draw against Kitara on Thursday at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, Kiwanuka was impressed with the turn up of the fans.

“I’m really impressed with the progress of the club and how fans have returned in big numbers to show their support to the team. That is encouraging to the players and I believe performance and results will get better with time,” he said.

Kiwanuka added that having sponsors like Cornerstone and NIC Holdings Insurance only shows progress that the team has done off the pitch with more expected in the near future.

Express will return to action after the international break with a short trip to Lugogo to face NEC on 8th October.

The post Kiryowa Kiwanuka delighted with renewed enthusiasm of Express fans appeared first on Kawowo Sports.