OBUA Mugalula already feels part of a family after moving to Mossley AFC – and family is a big thing after hardly seeing his for 11 years.
The Lilywhites’ signing from Stalybridge Celtic made a good first impression with a goal on his competitive debut, the 4-0 FA Cup win at Colne.
Now as David Fish’s side aims for success in the Northern Premier League West Division, the forward has told The Correspondent of being away from immediate family, who live in the African nation of Uganda for more than a decade after moving to the UK to start a career at West Ham.
He said: “I was born in Uganda but moved here when I was 13-years-old to live with my auntie.
“I’ve not really seen my family for 11 years – the last time I saw my sister, she was about four. Now she’s 16.
“They’re all in Uganda but I moved for football and a better lifestyle. Football there isn’t the same as football here.
“You have to aim for the best in whatever you’re looking at. Mine was football, so I had to look for the best country to play football in.
“My auntie was already in London and there was another in Manchester, so I later moved to be with her.”
Mugalula’s football journey has taken far from a normal route. After being released by West Ham, he moved to the North West and was spotted by Bolton Wanderers in unusual circumstances.
He added: “When you get released, you can get in a bit of a state of depression and don’t want to be in the same environment anymore. I left London because of that.
“Quite a few of the lads there have gone on to bigger things, but most aren’t at West Ham anymore. Some have gone around Europe; some are playing in Scotland.
“I actually started working for Aldi but got scouted by Bolton. Then I left two years ago and started in non-league football.
“I was working at the store in Bolton but went out to play footy with my mates, just a seven-a-side match – that’s when I was scouted by Bolton.
“I started training with them then I got signed.”
From leaving Bolton, Mugalula did the rounds in Cumbrian football before heading to Tameside.
“It’s cold – but that’s football for you,” he recalled about stints at Workington Reds and Kendal Town.
“You need the experience; you see different parts of the country.
“You just have to welcome it and I’m enjoying the journey. You just have to keep going and do your best.”
A self-confessed football addict, Mugalula says that when he is not at a game, he is thinking about it.
And he has lofty targets for the season after immediately setting into life at Seel Park.
He said: “I’m looking to get more goals this season. I always set targets for goals and assists every year for myself and I’m looking to achieve those and get promoted.
“I’m more about goals. I just run at people then try to stick the ball in the back of the net – and it’s probably more than 25. 25 is my minimum.
“I love the changing room, it’s funny and the boys make you feel welcome. That’s the most important thing.”