Yet to be unveiled Kirinya Jinja SS head coach Alex Isabirye has revealed his personal relationship with the head teacher and patron of Kirinya – Jinja Secondary School Mrs Dinah Nyago helped convince him to leave moneyed BUL FC for the newly promoted side to the Uganda Premier league.
The former SC Victoria University tactician completed a move to across town in Jinja in what was a quick decision after his resignation.
Isabirye a former Uganda Cranes international striker, whose eye for goals won him as many admirers last week parted ways with Uganda Premier League side BUL FC citing interruptions in his duties by the club management who sacked his assistant Bright Dhaira without his consent.
But, as part of a congratulatory chat from this reporter, Isabirye said an outstanding relationship with the sport-loving Nyago was enough for him to leave the soap makers.
“At the beginning of the new season, I chose to join Kirinja Jinja SS,” he said.
“It is a great club, which has just the most dedicated patron and wants to reach high ambitions I share. The club’s project and the headmistress being a longtime friend and my children go to the same school have convinced me to join this new ambitious adventure.
“I am now waiting to see my new club and give everything for a successful season!”
Isabirye’s football career
In1984, Isabirye had started his career. As a pupil at Iganga Boys’ Primary School, he was the school and district team captain. He was also training with Walukuba FC with the likes of Ali Lukungu and Ronald Mugabi.
From there, Polly Ouma took Isabirye and Mugabi to Nile FC. Ouma was also the Uganda Cranes and Uganda Kobs manager.
At Nile, Isabirye grew into one of the best players and was called to The Kobs team that finished fourth at the 1999 All-Africa Games in Johannesburg, South Africa. He would later join Umeme, Express, Scoul and SC Villa. During the 2001 Cecafa Kagame Cup, Isabirye finished the tournament as top scorer.
The same year, Isabirye got a deal to Bangladesh, where he spent two years. He came back and joined Express and URA, where he retired to take up coaching in 2010. He has since handled Seeta-Misindye first and Bul FC until recently.
At his biggest job, he resigned from URA in early 2013. Incidentally, the coach’s resignation came at a time when Victoria University had just sacked Sam Ssimbwa, hence Isabirye received a soft landing; the story seems the same heading to Kirinya Jinja SS.
