Express FC Part Ways with Four First-Team Players

Uganda Premier League giants Express Football Club have officially confirmed the departure of four first-team players as the club continues to endure a difficult 2025/26 campaign.

The seven-time league champions made the announcement through their official social media platforms, confirming that Richard Basangwa, Muhammad Kagawa, Rashid Kawawa, and Hakim Wandera will no longer be part of the Red Eagles’ setup.

“The club would like to inform the general public of the departure of Basangwa, Kagawa, Kawawa, and Wandera,” Express FC stated. “Thank you for the memories and wishing you all the best in your next adventure.”

The exits mark a notable shift in Express’ squad composition during the mid-season break, a period usually reserved for recruitment and strengthening ahead of the second half of the season.

Basangwa, known for his versatility in attack, had become an important figure in the club’s rebuilding process, while Kagawa was brought in to add creativity and invention in the final third.

Midfielder Rashid Kawawa offered energy, pace, and trickery in the wings and had grown into a regular option for the technical team, while defender Hakim Wandera played a key role within the club’s defensive unit.

Mid-Season Departures Raise Questions

The timing of the decision has raised eyebrows among Express supporters, with many questioning why the club would release four senior players at a time when the team is in need of reinforcement.

With the second half of the season approaching, Express now face the challenge of coping with reduced depth as they attempt to recover from what has so far been a disappointing season.

The move has also increased pressure on the club’s leadership, with critics arguing that the management has struggled to put in place a clear strategy to return Express FC to their traditional position among Uganda’s top contenders.

As the Red Eagles prepare for the remainder of the campaign, attention will now shift to whether the club will bring in replacements and if these departures are part of a broader plan aimed at salvaging a season that has largely been below expectations.