VIDEO: Salary Crisis and Player Frustration Behind Buhimba’s Failure to Honour NEC Fixture

Uganda Premier League side Buhimba United Saints failed to honour their Matchday 28 fixture against NEC FC on Wednesday evening at Lugogo due to an ongoing financial crisis and player frustration over unpaid salaries.

The match had been scheduled to kick off at 8pm, and NEC players, alongside match officials led by center referee Solomon Jjumba, appeared on the pitch. However, Buhimba United Saints failed to show up for the encounter.

According to FUFA competition regulations, failure to honour a fixture results in forfeiture of the match and may also attract further sanctions, including a deduction of three points and three goals by the FUFA Disciplinary Panel.

If the punishment is enforced, Buhimba United Saints will officially be relegated with two matches still left to play.

The development came just a day after head coach Robert Mukasa stepped down from his role at the club.

Speaking in a phone interview with Sanyuka Prime Sports journalist James Ssegawa, Mukasa revealed the reasons behind his departure and the club’s failure to travel for the NEC FC fixture.

“I left because they no longer listen to me. I have been convincing them for a while, and it reached a point where I had to use my own little money to make sure players came and honoured matches,” Mukasa said.

Buhimba United coach Mukasa Robert has explained the reasons behind his team’s failure to show up for their SUPL clash against NEC FC, citing a combination of logistical and administrative challenges that affected the squad’s preparations and availability. pic.twitter.com/gleoC3xNcd

— James Ssegawa Castira (@jamesssegawa3) May 14, 2026

“Some players would tell me they did not even have transport money or money to leave at home for their families, and I would provide at least 20,000 shillings so they could come for training or games.”

Mukasa further explained that he had hoped to help the club complete the season before new management took over.

“I was trying my best so that the league concludes and we wait for the new management and hear their ambitions. But these players also deserve to receive at least some salary because financially they are struggling,” he added.

The former coach pointed to lack of finances as the biggest challenge affecting the club.

“That is the biggest challenge. You cannot manage a team where you are injecting your own money as a coach and still the players no longer listen to you. That is completely wrong in football management.”

Mukasa also revealed that he had continued encouraging the players to honour fixtures despite the difficult situation.

“I tried my best to make sure the players continued playing. After the Express game, I spoke to them and asked them to fight on and honour the remaining fixtures.”

“But the players reached a stage where they could no longer listen because I had been promising them they would be paid, yet nothing was coming. So I decided to leave, and that is why they failed to honour the NEC game.”

Reports had earlier indicated that Buhimba players arrived late for their previous home match against Express, which ended in a 2-0 defeat, after threatening not to play due to unpaid salaries.

It is now believed the players refused to travel to Kampala for the NEC fixture as frustrations over unpaid wages escalated further.