Ibrahim Kasinde: The Blistering Winger Fuelling SC Villa’s Summit Bid

When Ibrahim Kasinde collected the ball on the right touchline in the FUFA Super 8 final back in September, few inside Kadiba stadium expected what came next. A drop of the shoulder, a burst of raw acceleration, three NEC defenders left grasping at air, and a cool finish past the goalkeeper. SC Villa 1, NEC 0.

Moments later the trophy was theirs, and the 23-year-old winger had announced that the raw, chaotic talent Uganda had been whispering about for years had finally found the perfect home by tormenting the club that had released him just months earlier and three months on, that goal feels like the symbolic start of something bigger.

Signed on a three-year deal in August 2025, Kasinde has wasted no time repaying the faith shown by the record 17-time champions. After eight rounds of the 2025/26 StarTimes Uganda Premier League, SC Villa sit second on the table with 17 points, and the explosive right winger has been central to their blistering start.

The Journey So Far: Ibrahim Kasinde’s Rise

Born in 2003, the Ugandan right winger first turned heads at Soltilo Bright Stars, where his explosive pace and fearless one-v-one dribbling terrorised full-backs in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. A move to ambitious NEC FC in 2024 promised bigger stages, but inconsistency and a turbulent club environment meant the step-up felt more like a stumble.

Fast-forward to 23 August 2025 and SC Villa under Serbian tactician Zeljko swooped in with the long-term contract Kasinde craved. The message was clear: come and be the lightning bolt in our attack.

Numbers that tell the story

After eight league matches of the new season, SC Villa sit proudly sit second on table with 17 points. Kasinde has started every single one.

2025/26 StarTimes UPL stats (as of 1 Dec 2025)

• Appearances: 8 (all starts)
• Goals: 2
• Assists: 1
• Shots on target: 5/11
• Successful dribbles: 14/22 (64%)
• Chances created: 8
• Goal contributions: 3
• G/A per 90: 0.43
• Yellow cards: 1
• Been directly involved in three Villa goals while the team remains unbeaten when he starts

The numbers only tell half the story. Kasinde’s pace routinely drags centre-backs out of position, creating space for deadly rotation partners Patrick Kakande, Reagan Mpande and Hassan Mubiru. His 65th-minute sealer against UPDF last week a clinical finish from a low cross sent Villa back to the summit and underlined his growing composure in the final third.

From Bright Stars prospect to Villa’s pace injection

Kasinde’s journey is classic Ugandan football folklore. He emerged at Bright Stars as a fearless teenager who could embarrass seasoned full-backs for fun. A one-year spell at ambitious NEC followed in 2024, where flashes of brilliance were sometimes lost amid team turbulence. Critics questioned his consistency; Kasinde quietly used the experience to toughen up.

When SC Villa came calling under Serbian coach Zeljko, the fit was perfect. Zeljko’s high-pressing, transition-heavy system demands wingers who can stretch pitches and carry the ball at speed. Kasinde, with his low centre of gravity and explosive first five yards, is the ideal weapon.

“He gives us something different,” Zeljko said after the Super 8 triumph. “When Ibrahim runs at defenders, the whole pitch opens up for us.”

Chemistry with a fearsome attack

At Villa Park, Kasinde has slotted seamlessly into a forward line that includes Patrick Kakande, Reagan Mpande and Hassan Mubiru. The rotation is relentless; defences rarely get a moment’s peace. Kasinde’s pace on the right drags markers narrow, creating pockets for Reagan Mpende, and Hassan Mubiru to exploit centrally or for overlapping full-back David Owori to bomb forward.

The Cranes door is opening

Internationally, Kasinde has already worn Uganda Cranes colours at U-20 level, delivering a good performance during the Hippos’ 2022 AFCON qualifiers. Senior coach Paul Put is known to be monitoring local based players closely leaving the door open for many as long as they deliver, and consistent performances against the league’s heavyweight sides starting with the mouth-watering December clash against champions Vipers SC could fast-track a maiden Cranes call-up.

A symbol of what is possible

In a league where overseas moves remain the ultimate dream for most players, Kasinde’s trajectory offers hope. Still only 23, tied to SC Villa until 2028, and already a trophy winner with the country’s biggest club, the boy from the local ranks has the platform he needs.

If he stays fit and continues terrorising defences at this rate, eight to ten goals this season feels entirely realistic and European scouts will surely take notice. For now, though, Ibrahim Kasinde is a Jogoo through and through. And on current form, the right flank at Kadiba Stadium belongs to him.