Any day, former soccer player, coach and administrator as FUFA President, Dennis Obua could have jokingly said he was 'Mr. Football' in Uganda.

Such a self-driven pundit, wrapping himself in self- branding, since that Tuesday morning of May 4, is now the late Obua. Dennis' hold on office didn't pass without criticism; and he attracted a lot of it as FUFA boss.

That office's nature is: you are voted into it and once there, you are open to all nature of attacks especially from those whom you beat to it, their cohorts, as well as the journalism fraternity. A sensitive office it is requiring mettle, professionalism, tact, openness and lots of luck.

But why shouldn't Obua deserve to be endorsed by his own statement for a man who played football, managed/ coached and administered it, lived as a footballer and died on the pitch fundraising for the same sport?

The late Obua is daddy to two prolific football stars, David and Eric Obua who have outlived him. Another if am to count third is Kevin Obua also in the making as footballer at St.Mary's Kitende S.S.

I was born 31 years ago when Obua captained the Cranes to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ghana. True, the Cranes lost the finals to hosts Ghana as a rule of the game that you either win or lose. Still, you cannot ignore that Obua leaves behind a mark that he was instrumental to Ugandan soccer.

Now, I am a grown up man, a journalist with a bias in sports, but have waited in pain and  vain to write about the Cranes at least qualifying in the same event as happened with Obua in the late 70's.

My age mates have also not yet cheered the national team on its continental endeavors. So you can quantify the emotions I have while writing about the passing on of a football star.

Obua died a sportsman-- on the pitch. So why deny him his own branding as Mr. Football?

The country, the continent, the world and the sporting fraternity have all lost a much respected man in football.

Once in football, Obua never left football. So, despite the grudges some of us had with him while he was at the helm of soccer's administration in this country,  let us all hail the passing on of a man who did the country proud aware that nobody can be perfect.

Obua has died but he has also left behind a legacy in the country's football. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen!

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