Jimmy Kirunda, Uganda Crane’s captain in the 1978 AFCON final has passed on aged 70.
Mr. Kirunda was a defender and he was part of five of Uganda’s African Nations qualifying campaigns and captained in three of the final tournaments with the most oustanding being the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations held in Ghana, where he guided the Uganda Cranes to the final.
He later on became national team manager between 1989 and 1996. There is no scientific cause of death mentioned at the moment but he died after collapsing Hotel La Grande in Bwaise today.
Mr Kirunda captained Uganda for ten years and featured in three Africa Cup of Nations campaigns including the already mentioned and national famous 1978 edition where Uganda lost to hosts Ghana 2-0 in the final and walked home with silver.
He won the CECAFA Cup with Uganda in 1969, 1970, 1973, 1976 and 1977, as Uganda Cranes manager, he secured three CECAFA Cup titles (1989, 1990 & 1992).
He coached three top flight teams in the Uganda Premier League (UPL) SC Villa, Express and KCCA. He won three league titles (1976, 1977 and 1981) and two Uganda Cup trophies (1980 & 1984) with KCCA.
At SC Villa, he won a league title (1982) and Uganda Cup (1983). His brothers William Kityo and Dick Bintanula played for KCC and Mulago respectively.
The late Kirunda will be laid to rest on Wednesday 27th May at Bugema town in Bulesa – Mayirye Parish.
May his soul rest in peace.
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