A Mbale Heroes FC player, who requested anonymity, has given a detailed account of the situation inside the embattled club.
Mbale Heroes’ struggled continue to take a new twist following the team’s failure to honour their FUFA Big League fixture against Nebbi Central FC on 3rd May 2026, a matter that has since triggered disciplinary proceedings from FUFA.
The FUFA Disciplinary Panel (FDP) is already investigating Mbale Heroes under reference FDP/050/2026, after the club reportedly failed to travel for the away fixture, a development that could attract sanctions including forfeiture and point deductions.
The club declined to comment when we reached out.
However, speaking about the incident and the broader situation at the club, the player painted a picture of internal disagreement, financial hardship, and poor welfare conditions.
“We clearly felt bad to miss out on the trip because we badly wanted to play. It’s disappointing from the top management,” the player said.
According to him, the players had agreed among themselves to travel and honour the fixture, and had communicated their readiness to the club’s acting administration.
“The management has during the recent period put blame on players for not willing to come for matches until they are paid, but this time the players wanted to play,” he added.
The player claimed that after a team meeting, the squad informed Acting CEO SK Godfrey Kakungulu of their readiness, but were told not to expect travel arrangements unless further communication came from management.
“We were told that if he doesn’t call us, then we should know there is no plan,” he said.
He further alleged that preparations were halted late in the day after management indicated that the club had failed to secure travel funds in time, with proposals emerging to only travel a reduced squad.
“We even suggested maybe taking seven players just to avoid another walkover defeat,” he said.
The player also described a delayed confirmation that reportedly came late in the evening, effectively ending hopes of travelling for the fixture.
“We kept calling the CEO until he answered at 8pm and delivered the bad news,” he said.
Beyond the abandoned fixture, the player described deeper welfare concerns within the camp, claiming that only a few players remain with the team camp in Busamaga and that conditions have become extremely difficult.
“At the moment we are just three remaining in camp. We have no food, we are generally neglected. Sometimes neighbours come to our rescue. We have learnt to cook and survive,” he said.
He further alleged that players have not received salaries since earlier in the year and have instead relied on occasional informal support.
“We haven’t been paid since January or February. At times someone gives you a kilo of beans and you survive on that. We were turned into beggars,” he claimed.
Despite the hardships, the player said the squad has remained bound by contracts, although conditions have pushed some to consider leaving.
“We would have left, but we signed contracts we must honour. At times the situation is very dire, but even transport to leave isn’t there,” he added.
He also appealed for intervention from FUFA and other stakeholders, saying players have attempted to seek help but have not been able to access formal support channels.
“We have tried to seek support from FUFA to come and rescue us or give us release letters, but we haven’t gotten access. We don’t know where to start,” he said.
The player further raised concerns about governance and management presence at the club, alleging that key officials have not been physically present to address the crisis, though he acknowledged occasional involvement during earlier matches.
“We have tried to seek support from the Federation to come and rescue us, and may be give us release letters, but we haven’t gotten access and also getting someone at FUFA, we don’t know where to start. And also, the club chairman (Godfrey Odur Ojok) works at FUFA (FUFA legal committee chaiperson).
“Ojok is aware of our situation, he was last here during the game against Kataka at the start of the second round, since we haven’t seen him.”
“All we want is to be released, given transport money, and we leave in peace. We want FUFA to kindly intervene,” he said.
The allegations come at a time when Mbale Heroes FC is already under formal scrutiny by the FUFA Disciplinary Panel, which has requested the club to respond to the charges of failing to honour a league fixture within 48 hours.
FUFA is yet to issue a final ruling on the matter, by press time.
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