Fresh from winning the Uganda Premier League championship with SC Villa, versatile defender Kenneth Semakula has parted ways with the club following the expiry of his contract and is on the verge of signing with the Tanzanian club, The Nerve Africa can confirm.
The 21-year-old rejected a new, improved deal from the local league record holders, opting for new adventures outside the country.
“Thank you, SC Villa, for welcoming me with open arms and for embracing me as one of your own. I will carry the memories of my time here with me wherever I go,” Semakula said, confirming his departure.
These developments intensify reports that the Uganda Cranes international will join Tanzanian and East African heavyweights Young Africans SC ahead of the forthcoming 2024/25 season.
A source of The Nerve Africa at Young Africans, who preferred anonymity, disclosed that the club had monitored Semakula throughout the concluded campaign.
“He (Semakula) has been the subject of interest this season with so many changes coming in the team,” the source said.
Semakula will be the third Ugandan at Young Africans if the move materializes, following experienced midfielder and Uganda Cranes deputy captain Khalid Aucho and defender Gift Fred.
Meanwhile, Semakula has been imperious in the Villa setup since joining them at the start of the 2021/2022 campaign. He has played 70 league games since then, missing just one in the 2023/2024 season. At 21, Semakula has already racked up 17 international caps with the Uganda Senior Men’s team. He has often changed roles, occasionally being deployed as a central defender, right-back, and holding midfielder.
