SC Villa has officially begun the search for a new head coach following Thursday’s announcement that Morley Byekwaso has left the club by mutual agreement.
The news ends weeks of speculation, as rumours swirled about a possible coaching change even with Byekwaso still in charge.
In a June 18 statement, the club confirmed it had parted ways with the coach “in the best interest of the club.” Byekwaso joined Villa in June 2023 as an assistant and took over as head coach last season.
“This was a mutual and respectful decision. We thank him for his service and wish him the best in his next chapter,” club president Omar Ahmed Mandela said.
Byekwaso’s first season was a fairytale, helping the Jogoos win their first Uganda Premier League title since 2004 under head coach Dusan Stojanovic.
But this past season told a different story. Villa slipped to sixth place with 45 points, 24 behind champions Vipers SC. Their Uganda Cup run also ended early once again stopped by Vipers in the quarterfinals.
Though he had a year left on his deal, both sides agreed it was time for a change after a frustrating season.
Byekwaso, however, won’t be idle for long. Just days after his Villa exit, he was named co-head coach of Uganda’s CHAN 2024 team alongside Vipers’ Fred Muhumuza.
The two will work under Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put as Uganda prepares to co-host the tournament with Kenya and Tanzania from August 2 to 30.
