Mbale Heroes Vice Chairman Chemisto Badru Alleges Political Interference and Internal Sabotage Amidst Club Turmoil

Chemisto Badru, the Vice Chairman of Mbale Heroes FC, has revealed a shocking narrative of political interference and internal struggles within the club. In a one-on-one phone interview with Sports 256, Badru—known affectionately as “Bado”—discussed his recent arrest, claims of political sabotage, and the challenges of running a football club caught in the crossfire of power plays.

Badru’s troubles came to a head on Sunday 15th when he was arrested, along with Mode Pius and Mbale Heroes fan Rama, following internal disputes within the club. According to Bugisu Intellectual Forum, a publication based in Eastern Uganda, the trio were later released, but the incident has exposed deeper tensions within the club. Badru alleges that political figures with ambitions for the 2026 elections are using Mbale Heroes as a pawn in their schemes, further complicating the already fragile situation at the club.

Speaking candidly about the situation, Badru pointed the finger at Paul Wanyoto, a politician with aspirations to run for office in 2026. Badru claims that Wanyoto, through financial backing, has been influencing a section of the fans to attack him and his family.

This fight is no longer just about football. They’ve gone as far as attacking my home and my mother. They want to silence me because they see the club as a stepping stone for their political agenda,” Badru said.

Badru, who has invested heavily in the club, this season, with the exception of Jessica Mafabi, the sister of politician Nandala Mafabi, who manages her brother’s interests in the club from transportation to players wages the rest of the members have supported inadequately.

Despite his significant financial commitment, Badru has found himself at odds with other members of the executive, some of whom he accuses of seeking to siphon money from the club rather than investing in its future.

I have been blackmailed and accused of fixing matches, all to tarnish my name. I brought Coach Asaph Mwebaze on board to restore sanity and discipline within the squad, but some people saw this as a threat to their ability to make money from the club,” Badru explained

He also highlighted claims that a member, a club figure who he with held his name, has been involved in paying players to avoid traveling or participating in matchday squads, which has affected the team’s performance.

Adding to the controversy, Badru accused some members of the executive of being involved in parallel ticketing during a match against KCCA FC, where nearly 4 million shillings were lost through unauthorized ticket sales. According to Badru, certain individuals within the executive helped orchestrate this ticketing scam, undermining the financial stability of the club.

Despite these challenges, Badru has decided to step aside from his role as Vice Chairman to allow other members of the executive to take over. He explained that after four years of supporting the team—starting from its regional league days—it is now time for others to step up and try to run the club. “I have invested a lot of time and money into this club, but I believe it’s time for the next group of leaders to try and take it forward,” he said.

Badru also spoke about his efforts to ensure the club’s financial integrity, mentioning his decision to appoint a dedicated financial officer to handle all club finances. This move, however, has not been well received by some members of the executive, who view it as an interference with their questionable dealings.

Emma, when it reaches a point where I am being called a ‘sebin’ with sectarian and tribal undertones, I can no longer work under such circumstances. I will step aside,” Badru lamented

Mbale Heroes, once known as the ” Eastern giant killers” of Ugandan football, Heroes currently seats second from bottom with 9 points, 2 wins,3 draws and 8 losses. The club secured their place in the 2024/25 season after a dramatic victory over Onduparaka in the FUFA Big League after a 19-year absence from the top tier. However, despite this triumph, Badru’s allegations suggest that Mbale Heroes is still battling significant internal and external challenges.

As the club fights the relegation red zone, the internal rifts and political intrigue surrounding Badru’s exit could have a profound impact on its future. The question remains whether Mbale Heroes can navigate the political and financial turbulence and focus on building a strong, competitive team for the challenges ahead.