SC Villa are preparing for a significant overhaul of their playing squad ahead of the new season, with at least five first-team players expected to leave the club during the current transfer window, as per Footy-Uganda sources.
The record 17-time Uganda Premier League champions are reshaping their squad following the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign, with a combination of expired contracts and technical decisions paving the way for several departures.
Among those heading for the exit are assistant captains Diego Misi Ssemugera, Jean-Braddy Wokorach and Charles Lwanga, all of whom have reached the end of their current contracts with the Jogoos.
While Lwanga remains in discussions over the possibility of extending his stay at Villa Park, sources indicate that two Uganda Premier League clubs are aggressively pursuing the forward’s signature, casting doubt over his future at the club.
Defender Diego Misi Ssemugera also becomes available after completing the three-year contract he signed upon joining SC Villa from Police FC ahead of the 2023/24 season. During his career, the experienced defender has also represented Lugazi Municipal, Lugazi Friends FC and Mayinde Spartans.
Goalkeeper Brady Jeans Wokorach is another player widely expected to move on after his contract expired. The shot-stopper leaves behind memorable moments, including his crucial penalty save against BUL FC in a narrow 1-0 victory during Villa’s triumphant 2023/24 title-winning campaign, a season that saw the club end a 20-year wait for the league championship.
Before joining SC Villa, Wokorach was instrumental in NEC FC’s promotion to the Uganda Premier League, keeping nine clean sheets during the 2022/23 FUFA Big League season. However, his opportunities became increasingly limited over the past campaign as head coach Zeljko Kovacevic consistently preferred David Lukwago between the posts.
Elsewhere, midfielder Ali Bayo and Frank Mulimi have both been informed they are no longer part of the club’s plans and have been advised to find new clubs before the start of the upcoming season.
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Bayo returned to SC Villa at the beginning of last season but struggled to convince Kovacevic and failed to secure a regular place in the team. His career has also included spells with NEC FC, where he helped the club earn promotion to the top flight, and Lugazi FC, playing a key role as they secured Uganda Premier League football after finishing among the top three in the 2023/24 FUFA Big League. The midfielder previously featured for St. Mary’s Kitende and Kampala Regional League side Lungujja Galaxy.
Mulimi, who joined the Jogoos from Entebbe UPPC, has likewise been deemed surplus to requirements as Villa continue to restructure their squad.
The latest exits come shortly after SC Villa confirmed the departure of Elvis Ngonde, who completed a free transfer to 13-time Uganda Premier League champions KCCA FC on a three-year contract.
With several experienced players on their way out, SC Villa are expected to be active in the transfer market as the club looks to rebuild ahead of the new campaign.
