Ugandan footballer-cum-singer Derrick Ddungu a.k.a Rickman cites the lack of a national identity card as the reason why he failed to join the Kampala City Council Authority football club in the 2023/24 UPL season.
Rickman says he left Sweden to settle in Uganda when his football career was dealt a blow. Having got a knee injury that laid him off for a full year, Rickman tried out music just to pass the time but luckily his song ‘Ebango’ became a big hit back in Uganda.
He had to relocate to Uganda just to try out his luck in music and he has since turned out a star on the local music scene, dropping more good songs including Ayizulu, Tunyumilwe, and Cinderella among others.
What about football?
Well, Rickman took the long-needed break to work on his knee and before the start of last year’s UPL season, he felt fit enough to play again.
Everything seemed to have played out in his favor and while right on the verge of signing for the local footballing giants, he failed to secure a national ID which he claims is an important requirement.
“I had no idea I needed a national ID. It is what ruined my plans to join (KCCA). Before I secured it, the window had been closed,” Rickman told Isaac Kaiyz Kawalya.
But the FOOTBALL DREAM is STILL ALIVE!
Rickman maintains that he would still want to play one more season before he officially hangs his boots.
No, I haven’t quit football yet. My knee affected me quite a lot but I am handling it. Even if I played one more season in the Super League, it would be enough.
Rickman is currently on a music tour in Europe.