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In their heyday, the Leopards showcased an unwavering might, with many holding hope they were destined to change the fortunes of football not only in the West Nile region but in Uganda as well.
Entrepreneur and engineer Joel Jaffer Aita has responded to the blackmail that has been spreading on how he abandoned Uganda Premier League side Arua Hill SC.
Aita served as owner and chairman of the club for the past years, leading them to the top flight in the 2021/22 season. He has since confirmed departing.
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"No, sold six months ago," Aita responded to football enthusiast on X after being asked if he owned the club.
In their heyday, the Leopards showcased an unwavering might, with many holding hope they were destined to change the fortunes of football not only in the West Nile region but in Uganda as well.
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16:08 - 28.12.2023
UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE Arua Hill turn up with eight players, schooled by Kitara
The game not only exposed Arua Hill's glaring struggles but also the amateur state with which the Uganda Premier League and football, as a whole in the country, is run.
Their only two full seasons in the UPL had the 'Kongolo' clinch a fifth and fourth finish in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns, respectively.
However, this season has witnessed a complete turnaround of events at the club, whose financial woes had them lose a number of players in the summer transfer window.
The likes of Rashid Toha, Innocent Media, Bright Vuni, Allan Mugalu, and Richard Matovu, among others, sought greener pastures, and Arua Hill has massively struggled on the pitch.
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16:36 - 28.12.2023
UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE "Heroes" - Football fans react to the eight brave Arua Hill players that played against Kitara
But, in the end, to no one's surprise, the eight Leopards suffered a 7-1 thrashing against the much superior Royals.
From picking just five points in 13 matches to failing to assemble an 11-man team, the club has sunk to the deepest of lows.
Against Kitara FC, they turned up with just eight players, and despite playing their hearts out, the hosts trumped them 7-1.
According to Aita, the club wasn't making the necessary returns, and he, thus, chose against further investment.
"It wasn't making profit. Concentrating on other companies," the business mogul added in further response.
"Even after ten years, I wouldn't," Aita continued to defend his decision to walk away.
It should be noted that Charles Livingstone Mbabazi, who has been reported to have left the club as head coach, bought shares in the club along with PRO Adams Lematia Otelul.
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12:01 - 20.11.2023
FOOTBALL Coach Livingstone Mbabazi claims Arua Hill ownership, lists club for sale
Mbabazi, who has stated he took over as the majority shareholder, has subsequently put the club on the market for a worthy buyer, who will come in handy as a solution to the current financial woes.
Meanwhile, in his responses, Aita didn't disclose to whom he sold the club.
However, in their documentation, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), towards the start of the season, revealed that Aita's company, Development Infrastructure, owned 100% of Arua Hill.
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08:31 - 30.12.2023
Vipers welcome experienced goalkeeper from long-term injury
His return comes as great news at a time when young goalkeeper Jack Komakech is out with an injury that kept him out of their 3-2 loss to BUL FC.
The same company is still undertaking the constitution of the Arua Hill Stadium in West Nile.
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