After the double, Vipers SC players are smiling all the way to the bank!

The Vipers SC players will be sharing another Shs 50 million kitty among themselves, after beating KCCA FC on Saturday, May 31 in the Stanbic Uganda Cup final, that was played at the new Fufa stadium at Kadiba, Mengo.

This is on top of the Shs 200 million that the club president, Lawrence Mulindwa handed them, after they won their seventh Uganda Premier League title recently. On average every player will bag a minimum of Shs 5 million, even though some will take home a lot more.

However, while seeing the Vipers players flash the big pay cheque they have received, totalling Shs 250 million, there is a lot more than meets the eye. Following such a successful season, where they have registered their second league and cup double, they are smiling all the way to the bank, literally.

It should be noted that throughout the UPL season, Mulindwa staked a winning bonus between Shs 200,000 ($60) and Shs 400,000 ($100) for every game that was won for each player.

Yet, when it was against the big teams, say, SC Villa, KCCA FC and NEC FC with whom they closely rivalled for the championship, the stake was raised to Shs 500,000 ($135) for each player. A case in point; it is reported that when Vipers won 2-0 in Lugogo against KCCA at the beginning of the second round; that firebrand display from his charges was not out of nowhere.

The players were chasing half a million. Beating NEC FC 3-1, too, in Kitende carried similar importance; so, the reward to going five points clear came with a big cash reward for the team.

Patrick Mbowa, who won his first trophies in professional football just in the last few days, as a Vipers player, said that for all the years he has played in the top flight, which dates back to 2015, he has experienced something special playing for Mulindwa’s team.

“He really gives players special treatment and he rewards them for every effort they put in. That is so motivating, especially when someone cares for your welfare like you are their child. I don’t think Mulindwa owes me anything, considering what he has done for me since I joined Vipers from URA FC,” Mbowa said, although he declined to reveal how much he was taking home in bonuses.

This season alone, from the 21 wins that Vipers registered in the UPL, it is estimated that every player earned at least Shs 8 million in match winning bonuses. That is actually besides their salaries, which are also said to be quite handsome.

Add the Uganda Cup, and the total of seven games played, and each Vipers player has grossed at least Shs 2 million in bonuses, it is reported. Essentially, every player is said to have received at least of Shs 300,000 per game.