Ugandan football tabloids have been awash with former Paidha Black Angels captain, Cromwell "Abang" Rwothomio alleging against his current club accusing officials of victimisation, intimidation and deliberately stalling his career. The grievance cuts deep given his contribution to NEC's most succesful season yet: 27 appearances, 9 goals, a runners-up finish in the 2024-25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League with 67 points, appearance and a memorable CAF Confederation Cup equaliser against Nairobi United.
Yet today his playing licence has been withdrawn and every transfer move blocked including a proposed return as we reported weeks ago, to his former club Paidha Black Angels.
The trouble began on November 25 after a halftime substitution against Calvary FC at Lugogo. Emotionally unready for what happened, Abang claims he only learnt he was coming off through a teammate on the pitch. The next day he was barred from training, summoned by head coach Badru Kaddu and handed a suspension for allegedly storming off and throwing his jersey, charges he flatly denies and says video evidence disproves.
After serving his two week ban, he was still kept in isolation from the squad and referred to the disciplinary committee. When January came he sought a loan move but NEC instead reported him to the federation for allegedly absconding from his duty. He disputes this saying he had notified the CEO before returning to home after being asked to vacate club housing.
In all these, three transfers collapsed entirely. A return to Paidha Black Angels was blocked. It's also reported also Rwanda Police FC and an Ethiopian club were in his services but pulled out after unrealistic quotations from the Ugandan club.
Some earlier reports suggested Abang had taken a UGX 20 million salary loan from the club and that this debt complicated his release. Sources close to the situation however dismiss that account as inaccurate. The real sticking point according to those same sources is different and more straightforward: NEC FC want Abang to first pay UGX 15 million to buy out the remainder of his contract before they will process his release from their system. He signed a fresh three year deal and the club's position is that walking away early comes at a cost. Until that figure is settled his registration stays with NEC and he remains in football limbo.
Abang further alleges that he and teammates from the West Nile region were labelled "stubborn and big-headed" by a section of club officials with one reportedly questioning why there were so many West Nile players at the club.
Efforts to reach NEC FC officials for a response have so far been futile.
Image Credit: Sports Lens and Toni Kamau
