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SAMUEL GALIWANGO : Meet Express FC’s Pacy winger who also doubles as a musical artist

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Galiwango during his time with Kampala University in the University league

By: Sinan Rajub Senoga 

NAME : Sam Galiwango
Nick name : Javex
Height : 5ft 6in
Weight : 65kg
Club : Express FC
Shirt Number : 77
Position : Winger, attacking midfielder
Previous clubs : Bishop Nankyama, Bombo United, SC Villa, Kampala University FC, and KASE FC
Role model : Cristiano Ronaldo

Express diminutive winger Sam Galiwango is one of the rare breed of players who have had ulterior careers away from the football pitch. He continues to carry his music career with him despite enrolling as an active player more so for a demanding club like Express FC.

FAMILY BACKGROUND
Galiwango is a son to the late Sembajjwe George William and Nanteza Robinah of Luwero district. Two of his siblings are also footballers, notably Elkana Nkugwa who has once plied trade at SC Villa and URA FC in the recent past – the other, Benjamin Semango is a budding striker at Busula FC in the 3rd tier of Buganda regional league.

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His other siblings include Nandyose Juliet, Ndagire Sarah, Nakalembe Kate, Nassuna Nulian and Nalwoga Racheal.

EDUCATION BACKGROUND
His education career roots way back at Makula Primary School and Wobulenzi Parents School. He also went to Mulusa Academy for secondary education before switching to St Mary’s Kitende in the later stages.

MASAZA CUP STINT
Just like very many players in the top flight league, Galiwango also took part in the Masaza Cup competitions turning up for Bulemeezi, Buruuli and Ssingo. He noticeably scored in the 2013 opening match as Ssingo fell to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Buwekula at Mityana Ssaza grounds.

CLUB RECORD
Galiwango has turned out for Bishop Nankyama, SC Villa, Kampala University FC, Bombo United and KASE FC before making a move to Express.

His impressive performances in the Masaza Cup saw him make a move from Ssingo Ssaza to SC Villa in the 2013-14 season where he spent the entire season only to fall out of favour in the pecking order especially with the return of Emmanuel Okwi and the arrival of Titus Lubega at the Villa Park midway the season.

As a budding player, he made his debut top flight season but inexperience cost him a slot in the coach’s consideration condemning him to the fringes and insufficient playing time. After a disappointing top flight season, the dazzling winger made his walk away from the 16-time champions.

Early in 2015, He joined Kampala University FC in the Buganda Regional league where spent 1 and a half seasons and leading to the Luwero based outfit to promotion play offs in two subsequent seasons only to miss out on the FUFA Big League slot agonizingly.

He had a very brief stint at KASE FC, a Kawempe based club in the Kampala regional league early this year then after moved to Wankulukuku.

THE MOVE TO EXPRESS
Galiwango was encouraged to take a step further and capitalize on the massive exodus of players at Express. He was quickly identified by Gertrude Nakyanzi (commonly known as Musawo Gertrude), one of the fans coordinator at Express and subsequently earned a place in the squad after impressing the by then coach Mattia Lule.

The pacy winger then marked his Express debut with an assist crossing in for David Ndihabwe as they edged Maroons 2-0 to register their first victory of the season at Wankulukuku. Since then, he has been used as an alternative to ignite pace upfront.

STYLE OF PLAY
Galiwango is a quick mobile player that can be deployed on either flanks because of his effective ability to use both feet equally good. His excellent dribbling skills, in particular trickery and feints make him a dangerous offensive threat. Step overs, explosive acceleration and decent crosses are his trademark.

MUSIC PURSUIT
Despite being a propitious soccer player, Galiwango also found himself with a knack of singing and it was this that the name “Javex” (his stage name) was derived.

Since childhood, he has never had a thought of letting go of either of both talents and has since the exhibited his specialty in Rnb, Reggae and Ragga Dancehall music releasing a list of singles like Ogonda, Kambeere Nawe, Nze nawe, Oli mulungi, Kanaguluma, She is loving me, I am Bad, Honey among others

“Singing is something I started way back when I was a young kid. It’s all about doing something with passion, something you love to do.”
He says

“When it’s time for football I designate my concentration to that but when off-season comes, I get time and switch to my music. In other words, I do music in my free time because I have to keep myself committed to football.”

“I want to see myself playing professional football in 2 years time. I expect to exhibit a lot while playing for Express because I know I can and feel there some things I want to show. I want to prove my worth.” He adds

Well, One may think music can distract him from giving his best in football but least forget players who have held both music and football careers concurrently and even went on to prosper.

Goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto aka Wahin is a very live example who served as a rapper and a long-term number two at Barcelona, Morten Gamst Pedersen flourished across the scandinavia with his Norwegian band “The Ballers” in fact all the other four members of his crew were active footballers, Clinton Dempsey also had a knack in rapping and very many others.

The only challenge he has lies in delivering what his pay masters and the fans expect from him especially in the times like these when Express is on the wrong side of the Azam Uganda Premier league table.

With the patch form of experienced legs in Bengo and Birungi, Express has compelled to rely on their young offensive midfielders and none has heeded this call more enthusiastically than Galiwango and Mubarak Nsubuga.

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