Players, officials and supporters of Bulemeezi County Football Club on Wednesday gathered at Kosovo Playground in Kasana, Luweero District, to pay tribute to former defender Rogers Ssebyondya, who died at Mulago National Referral Hospital after reportedly sustaining internal injuries during a Masaza Cup match.
Ssebyondya is said to have suffered the injuries during Bulemeezi's fixture against Kyaggwe County on Sunday. He was initially rushed to Kasana-Luweero Hospital before being referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he died on Wednesday morning.
His death has cast a shadow over Bulemeezi County, with teammates, club leaders and fans describing him as a dedicated player who played a key role in the county's historic 2019 Buganda Masaza Cup triumph.
Speaking on behalf of Bulemeezi County Chief Kkangaawo Ronald Mulondo, the chairperson of the county's football management committee, Yosam Ntegge, described Ssebyondya's death as a painful loss to both the team and the wider Bulemeezi community.
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"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Ssebyondya, who was a committed and courageous player. He joined the Bulemeezi team in 2019 and played an important role in helping us win the Buganda Masaza Cup that year," Ntegge said.
He noted that although Ssebyondya had stepped away from football for some time, he later returned to the team before suffering the injuries that ultimately claimed his life.
Ntegge called on players, leaders and supporters to remain united and stand with the bereaved family during the difficult period.
"This is a painful moment for all of us. We ask everyone in Bulemeezi to remain united and support the family as we mourn one of our own," he said.
Bulemeezi FC manager Juma Kasolo also paid tribute to the fallen defender, describing his death as a major setback for the team.
"Losing Ssebyondya is a very painful and difficult moment for us. He was an important member of the team in the centre-back position, and his absence will be deeply felt by everyone in Bulemeezi," Kasolo said.
Kasolo urged the remaining players to honour their fallen teammate by staying focused and working towards reclaiming the Buganda Masaza Cup.
"We are the soldiers who have remained to carry the team forward. We must stay united and work hard to achieve Ssebyondya's dream of winning the Buganda Masaza Cup," he said.
Several players and mourners remembered Ssebyondya as a hardworking, talented and disciplined footballer whose commitment to Bulemeezi inspired teammates on and off the pitch.
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According to the burial programme, Ssebyondya's body will spend Wednesday night at his home in Wobulenzi.
On Thursday, it will be taken to Nkumba, where his parents reside, before he is laid to rest on Friday at his ancestral burial grounds in Kapeeka, Nakaseke District.
