Hussein Mbalangu. File photo

What started as a two-month suspension for coach Hussein Mbalangu over alleged professional and ethical misconduct has ended with his dismissal as NEC FC head coach.

The Bugolobi based club confirmed the development in an official statement released on Wednesday, announcing that Mbalangu’s contract had been terminated by mutual consent and that a new permanent coach would be named soon.

“We announce today that a decision has been made to mutually terminate our contract with head coach Hussein Mbalangu effective immediately. A permanent appointment shall be announced soon,” the statement read.

Mbalangu joined NEC two seasons ago and made an immediate impact. In the 2023/2024 Uganda Premier League (UPL) season, he guided the club to a sixth-place finish, an impressive feat in their maiden topflight campaign.

During the same season, he also led NEC to the Uganda Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Kitara FC.

In his second season, Mbalangu’s NEC mounted a surprise title challenge, finishing just two points behind eventual champions Vipers SC, a performance that earned them a historic qualification to the CAF Confederation Cup, the club’s first-ever continental appearance.

However, NEC’s debut in the competition ended prematurely, as they were knocked out by Kenya’s Nairobi United on the away goals rule after a 3-3 aggregate draw over two legs in the first preliminary round. 

Reports suggest that Mbalangu’s dismissal stems from internal disagreements with club officials. His alleged involvement with Ssaza Ssingo in the Buganda Masaza Cup without NEC’s consent is believed to have further strained relations.

Other sources point to the team’s early Confederation Cup exit as a key factor in the club’s decision to part ways with him.

Mbalangu leaves NEC having transformed the club into one of Uganda’s most competitive sides in just two seasons.