By Mubiru Ivan
Kiryowa Kiwanuka popularly known as KK is the current chairman of Express Football Club. In the few months he has been at the helm of the Uganda Premier League Club, he has proved that all along he has been the missing link to the club’s success.
As a way of restoring the club’s lost glory, Kiwanuka has managed to lure big partners and sponsors to come on board such as Equity Bank and the latest one being Betway which recently offered shs400 million sponsorship package for the six time Uganda Premier league and 10 time Uganda Cup champions.
The prominent lawyer took over at a time when Express FC was undergoing a serious revamp process following the nervy 2017/18 season in which the club flirted with religion until the final day when they survived relegation. The Red Eagles ended the season in an embarrassing 13th place with a parity 31 points fetched off 30 matches.
Express FC last won the league title in 2011/12 season under manager Sam Ssimbwa but with Kiwanuka at the top of the club’s management, it seems there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
The lawyer who was born into a sporting family, succeeded Hassan Bulwadda who assumed the chairmanship last season from Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, who is now Youth and Children Affairs State Minister. The 45 year old is a grandson of the club’s founder member Jolly Joe Kiwanuka and a son of former chairman Jimmy Mugambe Kiwanuka.
Kiwanuka is one of the two pioneer partners at K&K Advocates law firm which he started way back in 2001 with Edwin Karugire, husband to President Museveni’s daughter, Natasha.
Kiwanuka has practiced Commercial Law, Labor Law and Energy Law for over 18 years and although his focus is mainly on Oil and Gas law currently, he is still very passionate and active in Commercial Litigation.
He is one of the board members on the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
He was also President Yoweri Museveni’s lawyer in a 2016 case where the head of state’s re-election was challenged. Kiwanuka again triumphed when the Supreme Court ruled in Museveni’s favour.
Back to sports, Kiwanuka is an avid follower of golf as a player and leader having served in various capacities in golf administration.
He has been the Secretary and Chairman of the Entebbe Club and also served as the Vice President and President of Uganda Golf Union.
During his tenure as President of the Uganda Golf Union, Uganda won Zone VI Golf Championship as well as the East African Champions two years in a row.
Kiwanuka possesses a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Law and Policy from the University of Dundee, Scotland, a Diploma In Legal Practice – Law Development Centre (1996 -1997) and a Bachelor Of Laws (LLBHons) – Makerere University (1992-1996).
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