Uganda Cranes defensive utility player Kenneth Ssemakula has joined Tunisian giants Club Africain.
The former Sports Club Villa captain’s move was confirmed by Africain on their X account. He joins the Tunisian side on a two-year deal up to 2026.
Formed over 103 years ago, Club Africain is not only among the oldest clubs in Tunisia but also the entire African continent. They have won 13 league titles. In addition to the league titles, their trophy cabinet boasts 13 Tunisian FA Cups. However, recently their form on the field has been flattering. They only managed a 6th place finish on the 14-team log in the Tunisia Premier League last season.
Ssemakula’s move comes just a month since he left the accounts of the Uganda Premiership’s record champions. This was after the team ended a 20-year league trophy drought.After commanding the Jogoo faithful to a record 17th title last season, Ssemakula failed to agree on a new contract at Villa Park.
How Ssemakula left Villa
Discussions for a new deal hit the rocks as Villa management was not willing to offer him the wages he demanded. It is alleged that Ssemakula wanted a monthly pay of UGX 2 million. Additionally, he demanded a sign-on fee in the region of UGX 10 million. However, the Villa management led by business mogul Hajji Omar Mandela saw this as above their means.
They have since started life without him, playing the Kagame CECAFA Cup in Tanzania this month. Another star from Villa’s stellar performance last season, Umar Lutalo, also announced his departure from the club. The reasons around Lutalo’s exit are also similar to Ssemakula’s.
This has caused concern among the Jogoo faithful about their club’s ability to hold onto top talent as they return to continental football. They drew Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) in the preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
Ssemakula joins a royal company of Ugandan players that have featured in the Tunisian top flight. These include Jackson Mayanja, Emmanuel Arnold Okwi, Yunus Junior Sentamu, and Richard Kasagga. These players featured for Esperance, Etoile Du Sahel, CS Sfaxien, and Olympique Beja, respectively.
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