Derrick Ddungu, better known as Rickman Manrick, has wasted little time reminding Ugandan football fans that there is more to him than music and entertainment.
The 29-year-old musician and radio personality marked his competitive return to football in dramatic fashion on Thursday evening, scoring on his Express FC debut as the Red Eagles defeated traditional rivals KCCA FC 2-0 at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
Rickman entered the match in the 85th minute, replacing Steven Yiga, but needed only seven minutes to make his presence felt. A Shafik Batambuze free-kick found him unmarked inside the KCCA area, and the number nine calmly controlled the ball before squeezing his effort past goalkeeper Mutwalibi Mugoloofa from a tight angle.
It was the perfect way to announce his return to the Uganda Premier League and add a new chapter to a football journey that had been interrupted for years.
Rickman has not simply walked into football for the first time. Before becoming widely known for his music, he had already built a footballing background that took him from Uganda to Sweden.
His early football journey included Kampala Junior Team (KJT), Friends of Football, Dalen KFF and Gunnilse IS before he continued his career in Sweden with Sävedalens IF. Earlier reports described him as a forward and winger with pace, close control, dribbling ability and an eye for goal.
His football ambitions, however, suffered a major setback in 2016 when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and underwent surgery. The lengthy recovery period eventually opened the door to another career.
While recovering, Rickman turned his attention to music. His first single, “Naki,” came out in 2017, and music subsequently became a major part of his life. His rise in entertainment eventually saw him become known for hits such as “Ebango Waliwanika” and later work in radio.
Football nevertheless remained close to him.
That was evident when he returned to competitive football with Express FC ahead of the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season. The move represented a long-awaited return to the sport he had once hoped would take him to the highest level.
And before his football comeback reached its latest stage, Rickman had also developed another sporting identity — this time inside the boxing ring.
In August 2025, he faced socialite Shakib Cham in the celebrity boxing event The Kampala Rumble at MTN Arena in Lugogo. Rickman won the highly publicised contest by knockout in the second round. Shakib later called for a rematch, acknowledging Rickman’s strength and performance in the ring.
That boxing experience adds an interesting layer to Rickman’s sporting comeback and his level of multi-talentedness, but Thursday night’s performance against KCCA was about reclaiming his place in football.
He may still be working his way back to full match fitness but his seven-minute cameo produced exactly what Express needed: a goal, three points and a memorable introduction to the Uganda Premier League.
Isaac Wagoina had earlier put Express ahead in the 51st minute before Rickman’s late strike completed a 2-0 victory and handed the Red Eagles their first win of the 2026/27 league campaign.
For a player whose football career was once interrupted by injury and then overshadowed by music, Rickman’s first league appearance for Express could prove to be more than just a celebrity moment.
At 29, he has another opportunity to see how far the football career he once put on hold can still go.
And against KCCA, he made the strongest possible start.
