Hassan ‘Figo’ Mubiru has revealed that his move to Express was aided by the fact that his father was a staunch fan of the Red Eagles.
Mubiru moved to Wankulukuku from rivals SC Villa in 2000 in a blockbuster move that shook Ugandan football.
The striker, who is believed to be the highest record goalscorer in the history of the Uganda Premier League had spent two seasons at Villa Park where he won both the league and Uganda Cup and helped the club reach first Kagame Cup since 1993.
“First, before joining Villa from Police, there was interest from several other clubs including Express and Umeme but my conversation with Hajji Omar Mandela attracted me to the Blues,” he told Isaac Mukasa in an interview on Real Stars Sports You Tube channel.
“I joined Villa despite being a childhood Express fan alongside my father and spent two seasons at Villa (1998 & 1999).
“However, my father was an Express fan and people always laughed at him that his son is helping their rival and that kept taunting me,” he explained.
“So, after my two years, I decided to join Express just to fulfil my father’s dream and I am happy I made him smile for playing for his favourite club. It was my club as well as a fan.”
Nevertheless, it wasn’t an easy move with Mubiru explaining that Villa officials led by Mandela and Andrew Kasagga Zzimwe (RIP) offered him everything to stay with the Blues.
“They did everything with both offering me a blank cheque but my heart had already made a decision to join Express mainly for my father.
There were reports that Mubiru had then pocketed 20 million Uganda Shillings from Godfrey Kiruma, the Express FC Supremo which was a record fee then but that he denies.
“Shockingly, the money involved in the deal was even less than what Villa offered me when I left Police and I am even shy to reveal it,” he explained.
The soft-spoken centre forward who could also play in any forward position also revealed that he nearly re-joined Villa following his two years at Express but Kirumira tricked him into signing a new contract.
“I had maintained contact with Hajji (Mandela) and was willing and ready to go back to Villa. But while on the way to a Caf game with Express, Kirumira took me to a bond in Dubai and said that I should pick a car of my choice and later, gave me a contract to sign.
“I signed it hoping it was one year but later, they amended it without my knowledge to five years which hurt me and it is the reason why I quit after one year and moved to Rwanda’s APR. I left with a bitterly because they were dishonest.”
Mubiru also had another chance to join Villa in 2005 but Ben Immanuel Missaga who had persuaded him after leaving APR was denied the Villa presidency.
He still holds Villa highly in his heart despite being a staunch Express fan and has been part of the Red Eagles coaching staff on several occasions.
“I have utmost respect for Villa because they fulfilled all their promises on my side. I support Express but I love Villa as well because they showed me too much love.”
During his time with Villa, Mubiru made arguably the deadliest partnership with Andrew Mukasa, christened the ‘Mu-Mu’ attack and earned his Uganda Cranes debut at young age scoring twice against Algeria in the Afcon qualifiers.
He is regarded as one of the most talented players to ever play the beautiful game in Uganda.