Ahmed Omar Mandela
Hajji Ahmed Omar Mandela | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1958 (age 67–68) |
| Other name | Mandela |
| Citizenship | Ugandan |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Known for | Mandela Group of Companies Café Javas President of SC Villa |
| Title | President of SC Villa |
| Website | https://mandelagroup.co.ug/ |
Ahmed Omar Mandela (born in 1958) is a Ugandan businessman and sports administrator of Somali origin.[1] He has been listed among Uganda's wealthiest businesspeople.[2][3][4][5] He is the founder of the Mandela Group of Companies, a Ugandan conglomerate with interests including hospitality, petroleum, manufacturing and automotive services. He is also the founder of City Oil and Café Javas.[3][6] He currently serves as president of SC Villa football club.[4][7]
Business career
Mandela established his business activities in Uganda during the 1980s. He is the founder of the Mandela Group of companies,[2] which initially operated in the automotive spare-parts sector before expanding into fuel distribution and restaurants. He is founder of Café Javas restaurant which opened in 2005 on Bombo Road in Kampala, next to a City Oil fuel station and now with branches in Uganda and East Africa.[6]
The business subsequently expanded into Kenya.[2] Café Javas began operating in Kenya in 2018 under the name CJ's following a dispute concerning the use of the Café Javas name. The first CJ's restaurant in Kenya opened on Koinange Street in Nairobi.[2][5]
Football administration
Mandela has been involved with SC Villa since the 1980s.[8] He joined the club in 1982 and initially worked as a gateman selling match-day tickets before subsequently becoming club treasurer.[8] He served as the club's treasurer and chairman of administration. In 2004, he resigned from both positions following a dispute with supporters over admission fees for a match between SC Villa and Iganga.[9]
In November 2021, Mandela was elected president of SC Villa unopposed.[7] In March 2026, Mandela was declared president of SC Villa after being the only candidate to complete the nomination and vetting process.[10][11][12][13]
Personal life
Mandela is of Somali origin and comes from a Somali Ugandan business family.[1]
See also
References
- 1 2 Hansen, Stig (2019). "Shelter from the storm: Somali migrant networks in Uganda between international business and regional geopolitics". Journal of Eastern African Studies. 13 (2): 262–281. doi:10.1080/17531055.2019.1575513.
- 1 2 3 4 "CJ's Kenya: A look into the crystal ball". Monitor. 2024-03-23. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- 1 2 and Mfonobong Nsehe (2025-05-06). "15 richest people in Uganda". Billionaires.Africa. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- 1 2 Kigabane, Desmond (2026-03-11). "Omar Ahmed Mandela: The Man to steer SC Villa for next five years". Kawowo Sports. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- 1 2 "Meet Ahmed Omar Mandela: Ugandan Billionaire Behind CJ's Kenya: History And Locations". 2026-07-27. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- 1 2 "Café Javas: A success story from a tough, humble beginning". Monitor. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- 1 2 Zziwa, Hassan Badru (2021-11-13). "Mandela, Express diehard now president of SC Villa". The Observer Media Ltd. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- 1 2 "Only change will keep Mandela fresh for SC Villa". Monitor. 2021-11-15. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- ↑ Reporter, Vision. "Mandela Quits". New Vision. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- ↑ Zziwa, Hassan Badru (2026-03-21). "Omar Mandela is emulating his predecessors at SC Villa!". The Observer Media Ltd. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- ↑ Abdusalam, Kigozi (2026-03-11). "CHIMP SPORT: Mandela Declared Sports Club Villa President". ChimpReports. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- ↑ "Mandela declared unopposed to retain Villa presidency". Monitor. 2026-03-10. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Misagga, Ben (2026-02-25). "The SC Villa leadership has shot itself in the foot". The Observer Media Ltd. Retrieved 2026-08-10.