The Football family in Uganda and the world at large is still in shock following the sudden passing on of former Uganda Cranes captain and Manager Jimmy Kirunda.

Kirunda was pronounced dead on Monday, 25th May 2020 moments after collapsing at Bwaise in Kampala.

The former league top scorer played for giants KCCA and SC Villa and was the skipper for the historic 1978 Uganda National Team that played Afcon final against Ghana.

He will be laid to rest on Tuesday at his ancestral home in Mayire – Bulesa, Kyadondo

I was shocked because I spoke to him three hours before he was pronounced dead. He sounded very normal. When the news about the death broke, as FUFA and members of the football family, we ran very fast and establish the fact. We joined the family at Mulago. There is no best word that will describe Jimmy Kirunda than legend. He was a mentor to many, a real legend, a counsellor and advisor.  He served as personal assistant to former FUFA President Dr Lawrence Mulindwa to the early years of Eng. Moses Magogo. Football has lost a real football legend” FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson.

‘The demise of Jimmy Kirunda will leave a huge gap in our game. He made his contribution on the pitch as a player, Manager, administrator and advisor. On the eve of the Uganda Cranes vs Comoros match in 2016, Kirunda and other legends of the 1978 AFCON Squad talked to the Cranes team on how they were on the verge to take Uganda back to the Continent. He will remain a legend of the game who contributed tirelessly with a good return of results on and off the pitch’ FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo