Yes, it was a safe bet that Mujib Kasule’s Proline will bounce back in the Uganda Premier League (UPL) soon after relegation in 2014 but it has taken them a couple of years, sheer determination and endurance to get to the brink of a possible return.

For a team that once illuminated the top-flight league with lofty soccer ambitions and glittering blazers, it is a sigh of relief that they have been to ‘hell’ and back.

The academy club currently leads the Rwenzori group table in the Fufa Big League with 46 points from 19 games – a massive 11 points ahead of second placed Masavu with four matches to play.

Going complete overhaul
Four years since buying off Abdu Karim Njubi’s Nalubaale to attain league status, Proline were demoted after the 2013-14 season, which prompted owner Kasule to go back to the drawing board.

“We failed on our first attempt to return immediately but we never gave up after finishing sixth,” Kasule told SCORE.
“We decided to parade a blend of the old guard (Simon Mbaziira, Simon Namwanja, Denis Makoba and Gift Ali) with the new blood (Nurdin Bunjo, Joshua Okiror, Saidi Keni, Edris ‘Torres’ Lubega, Emma Asiku and Fahd Bayo) which is now reaping dividends.”

Other big decisions included Kasule quitting Fufa administrative duties to concentrate on being the club’s technical director. Coach Baker Mbowa and his deputies Richard Luyima and Baker Kasule, too, fully focused their energies on moulding the team into not just mere competitors but also as a winning unit.

Ferdinand connections still alive

At their prime in 2010, Proline managed to bring over English soccer stars Rio Ferdinand, brother Anton and dad Julian to promote what was supposed to be the biggest soccer academy project in Uganda. At some point, it was reported that the funding from the Ferdinand family had stopped due to club administration wrangles but Kasule asserts that they still get their kits and transfer connections from the Ferdinand family.

“The Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and Manchester United jerseys we have used this season were shipped in from London,” Kasule, a former Uganda Cranes striker, explains.

“Julian established our Portugal connections that have seen Patrick Edema, Apollo Razak, Simon Mbaziira and Alex Kakuba get professional stints. To say the least, I am also going to visit the Ferdinand family next month for more deals.”

Academy land remains a myth
When former Manchester United and elegant England defender Rio Gavin Ferdinand visited Kampala, he met President Yoweri Museveni at State House. In return, Proline was given a big chunk of land in Entebbe to construct an academy with top-notch facilities. But all of those promises made then look like hot air now.

“In 2013, we learned with dismay that some Ministry of Agriculture officials had reclaimed the land,” says Kasule, also a former KCCA striker and captain.

“The Ferdinand family got very angry when they learned of what happened. They were also threatening to pull out of our ambitious project. We are making inroads to arrange a meeting with President Museveni and remind him of his generous offer made then.”

Proline had plans of constructing a stadium, hostels and training facilities at the Entebbe land in question.

Will Proline manage to stay for long?
At the moment, the club’s financial muscle heavily relies on Kasule’s pocket, which partly explains why they are a ‘selling club’.

“ When I run out of the funds to run the club, I turn to my colleagues; William Bakkabulindi (CEO), Hussein Kato (Finance), Muhamed Lubega (Deputy Finance), Hassan Wasswa (Operations) Dauda Bwanika (Vice Technical), Anthony Ndawula (Financial Controller based in US) and Ali Galabuzi who helps out with the welfare of our players,” Kasule disclosed.

After time out in the wilderness (Big League) Kasule says Proline’s first-hand experience in the Big League, hunger-to-succeed driven youngsters in their ranks and a passionate technical staff will help them fight to stave off relegation once they officially return.

Defence has been key

Forget Lubega’s 18 unassailable goals for Proline this season thus far. Coach Baker Mbowa is convinced it was the backline of Makoba, Namwanja, Asiku and Ibra Ssendi commanded by goalkeeper Saidi Keni that did the wonders most.

“They have conceded a paltry 13 goals this season as we close in on the Uganda Premier League (UPL) return.
“That said, Gift Ali’s 10 assists and Lubega’s consistent goals cannot be underrated,” Mbowa told Score.

The former KCCA and Cranes attacking midfielder also credits his team’s determination, discipline and self-belief for the phenomenal feat.

“Former professional players like Mbazira and Ali have guided the lads throughout the season and the bonding is a sheer joy to watch.
“We are now preparing for Monday’s crucial clash with Jinja Secondary School before we can start popping the champagne.”
Proline deserve every plaudit they are receiving because after losing the first three games at the season start, they won the next 25 games and shared spoils only once.

Ugandan Torres

Proline’s success story cannot be complete without mention of the name Edris ‘Torres’ Lubega. The budding striker tops the Big League scoring charts with 18 goals and has earned summons to the Uganda Cranes senior team and the U-20 Hippos team.

His speedy runs, power and box awareness remind many a football pundit of a younger Geoffrey Massa at Police in 2005. Others predict he can emulate the late goal-scoring machine Magid Musisi – if handled well.
“He has graduated through our ranks since we got him from Dynamic SS in 2014 and we can only sell him to a foreign club,” Kasule states.

Lubega, 19, defied the odds to make it to the Cranes Chan team in Rwanda in January and almost forced his way onto Micho’s final squad that faced Burkina Faso in Namboole last month.

FUFA Big League

Yesterday’s fixtures, 4pm
Baza vs. Paidha, Kawempe
CRO vs. Ondumparaka, Mbale
Hope Doves vs. Citizen, Wankulukuku
Kasese vs. Kireka, Buhinga
Wandegeya vs. Wakiso, Kanyanya

Monday
Proline vs. Jinja SS, Nakivubo