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Uganda Premier League side URA FC has announced the signing of exciting youngster Denis Luzige Kisiriko.
The prolific striker has joined the tax collectors on a three-year employment contract.
The development was done on Sunday via the club’s official website.
“URA FC is delighted to announce the signing of promising and exciting teenage forward Kisiriko Denis Luzige,” a statement via the club’s website partly read.
“He comes from Edgars Football Club a side he joined this year. He officially becomes our first signing,” the statement added.
The 16-year-old forward is also a student at Buddo SS an entity he has played for both for the school games and the FUFA U17 Juniors League.
In the just concluded Juniors’ league, the forward walked away with the golden boot after leading the scoring charts with 18 goals.
At URA FC, he brings a sharp eye for goal, calmness and composure which will be shaped further to mould him into a productive goal poacher.
A brief about Kisiriko
- Full Name: Denis Luzige Kisiriko
- DOB: October 17, 2006
- Age: 16
- Position: Centre Forward
- Friday, July 7 | Friendly Game | Result
- Crested Cranes 3-1 Twiga Stars
Uganda Cranes registered a 3-1 victory against Tanzania in a friendly game played at MTN Omondi Stadium on Friday evening.
Catherine Nagadya, Fauzia Najjemba and Margaret Kunihira were on target for Crested Cranes.
In the third minute, Clement Opa placed the visiting side ahead after she was paid to her aggressiveness and willingness to win possession.
Crested Cranes custodian delayed to attack a loose ball that had bounced off defender Sandra Nankya.
Sandra Nabweteme pulled off some magic on the right flank before she released Hassifah Nassuna whose chilly effort beat Tanzania’s goalkeeper Husna Mtunda but only sailed out.
In the 22nd minute, Najjemba laid a powerful cross from the left flank and Tanzania’s Eneika Kasonga nearly directed the ball into her net.
At half an hour, Nagadya restored parity after tapping home Najjemba’s low cross.
Five minutes to the end of the first stanza, Sandra Nabweteme set up Najjemba but the forward was slow to make a decision. Her resultant effort was smartly blocked by Fatuma Issa from close range.
After recess, Crested Cranes goalkeeper and skipper Ruth Aturo paved the way for Daisy Nakaziro.
Three minutes past the hour mark, Hasifah Nassuna nearly gave the home side a lead after she passed through a forest of legs but her effort rattled off the frame.
In the 85th minute, Najjemba finally gave the home side a well-deserved lead, Tanzania’s custodian failed to punch the ball before the forward tapped into the net.
A minute later, second-half entrant Kunihira’s long ball beat the goalkeeper before it dropped into the net.
The victory will give Crested Cranes motivation ahead of their doubleheader against Rwanda in Kigali.
How they lined Up
Crested Cranes XI: Ruth Aturo (Gk), Samalie Nakacwa, Sumaya Komutale, Aisha Natongo, Shadia Nankya, Shakirah Nyinagahirwa, Shamirah Nalugya, Hasifah Nassuna, Catherine Nagadya, Fauzia Najjemba, Sandra Nabweteme
Twiga Stars XI: Husna Mtunda (Gk), Aisha Mnuka, Eneika Kasonga, Noela Luhala, Valieth Nicholaus, Fatuma Issa, Koku Kipanga, Diana Lucas, Oppa Clement Hasnat Ubamba, Winfrida Gerald
Uganda Cranes legend Andrew Mukasa also known as Fimbo was recognized with a Platinum Award during the 2022/23 UPL season awards at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.
At the awards gala held on Thursday evening, Mukasa walked away with the award given to Vipers’s proprietor Dr Lawrence Mulindwa at last year’s ceremony.
Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo, the head of sports at Nation Media, heaped Mukasa with lots of praise revealing he is one of the finest finishers Uganda has witnessed.
“Fimbo (Mukasa) is probably one of the greatest finishers this country has ever produced,” Dhakaba said during the glamorous event.
“Charles Bbaale as you look at me, 12 goals is not even half of the goals that Fimbo scored in 1999 to win the golden boot. That year for SC Villa, Mukasa scored a record 45,” he added.
“It’s the highest number of goals one has scored in one season. That was to break a record by Jimmy Kirunda who had 32 in 1978 for KCC.”
“So we are looking at a gem of a player. You need to look at the size of his foot, it gave an advantage whenever he struck that ball. Thus gaining the name Fimbo because he struck such a ferocious shot.”
Mukasa has previously been troubled with illnesses such as mental disorders for quite a while hence hanging his boots earlier than thought.
It was a beautiful occasion to see the retired star smiling after a recognition of his exceptional talent that was witnessed back then.
Full list of individual winners
Player of the Season
Milton Karisa (Vipers SC
Goalkeeper of the Season
Simon Tamale (Maroons FC)
Defender of the season
Hillary Mukunda (Vipers SC)
Midfielder of the season
Laban Tibita (Busoga United)
Young player of the season
Darius Ojok (Maroons FC)
Fair play Team of the Season
Blacks Power
Coaches Player of Season
Milton Karisa.
Most Assists – Milton Karisa
Top Scorer – Allan Kayiwa
Vipers SC captain Milton Karisa carried home four gongs from the 2022/23 Uganda Premier League Season awards that were held at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala on Thursday.
The skipper lifted the prestigious Best Player of the Season award alongside other three to crown his thrilling and exciting season at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
To achieve the mark, he played 26 matches out of the possible 28, scored nine goals and made eight assists. He was named Man of the Match on five occasions.
Karisa also garnered the most votes from the public and the panel at large. He got 42.6% votes from the fans and most votes from the panel as well.
For starters, he was also instrumental in the journey as Vipers lifted their sixth league title. He was the top scorer of the club with nine and also showed up in big games.
To take up the podium, Karisa manoeuvred competition from SC Villa’s forward Charles Bbaale and Maroons’ former custodian Simon Tamale.
Karisa scooped other three awards namely Coaches’ Player of the Season, and Most Assists of the Season and was named in the Best Eleven of the Season thus going home with the highest number of gongs.
However, the award of the gathering the most assists left many mummering and wondering since the earlier statistics named KCCA’s Allan Okello with the highest of those.
It was on the awarding night when it was revealed to the public that Karisa, Okello and Gaddafi Wahab were tied on eight. It meant Karisa who had more goals than the KCCA FC and Arua Hill midfielders hence having the edge.
Karisa was on nine goals, Allan Okello followed with six while Gaddafi was at five.
Other Categories
Recently relegated Blacks Power FC was voted to take home the Fair Play Awards after collecting only 30 yellow cards and hardly a red card.
Charles Bbaale was later crowned as the Players’ player of the season having been voted by all the captains of the 15 league teams.
Busoga United’s Laban Tibita went past Gaddafi and Lawrence Bukenya to walk away with the gong of the Best Midfielder of the Season.
Maroon FC’s 19-year-old star Darius Ojok beat KCCA FC’s Saidi Mayanja and SC Villa’s Patrick Kakande to the Young Player of the Season accolade.
Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC) was named defender of the season, Allan Kayiwa finally took his top scorer accolade while SC Villa legend Andrew Mukasa was awarded the Platinum accolade.
The full list of winners
Player of the Season
•Milton Karisa (Vipers SC)
Midfielder of the Season
•Laban Tibita (Busoga United)
Defender of the Season
•Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC)
Goalkeeper of the Season
•Simon Tamale (Maroons FC
Coach of the Season
•Alex Isabirye (Vipers SC)
Young player of the Season
•Darius Ojok – (Maroons FC)
Other Categories
•Fair Play team of the Season – Blacks Power
•Coaches Player of Season – Milton Karisa (Vipers)
•Most Assists – Milton Karisa (Vipers)
•Top Scorer – Allan Kayiwa (Express FC)
•Players Player of the Season – Charles Bbaale (SC Villa)
•Platinum Award – Andrew ‘Fimbo’ Mukasa
Team of the Season (Best XI)
•Simon Tamale (Maroons) – Goalkeeper
•Matsiko Grant (Wakiso Giants)
•Denis Kaka (Bright Stars FC)
•Gift Fred (SC Villa)
•Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC)
•Bukenya Lawrence (Wakiso Giants)
•Gaddafi Wahab (Arua Hill)
•Laban Tibita (Busoga United)
•Milton Karisa (Vipers SC)
•Charles Bbaale (SC Villa)
•Allan Kayiwa (Express FC)
Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC have announced Luiz Otavio Santos de Araujo aka Tinga as their latest addition.
Tinga becomes the second Brazilian at Kitende after the arrival of striker Giancarlo Rodriguez Lopez.
“We have swooped in another man from the land of Samba football,” the development was announced via the club’s website.
“The defensive midfielder is a former Brazilian U-20 International, who made six official caps for the Selecao at the level,” the statement added.
Tinga has put pen of paper on a two-year employment contract with Vipers SC.
He is a versatile player who can comfortably play as a holding midfielder as well as a right-back.
He is expected to fight for a slot in the middle park against Miguel Nzau Lutumba, Siraje Sentamu and Marvin Joseph Youngman.
Tinga becomes Vipers SC’s fourth signing after Giancarlo Lopez Rodriguez, Richard Matovu and David Bagoole.
Ahead of the Women’s Olympic Football qualifiers, Crested Cranes will face off against Twiga Stars in a Friendly duel at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Friday.
Uganda’s Women’s senior football team will use the game to sharpen their troops ahead of a tough game against Rwanda in the preliminary round of the qualifiers.
Crested Cranes assistant coach Ayub Khalifah has preached readiness ahead of the friendly duel.
“We are ready for this game and fully aware of how important it is in our preparation,” the gaffer said during the pre-match press conference.
“Having a game of such a magnitude against a very good team definitely helps us to know where we stand and what we need to improve before facing Rwanda,” he added.
Between Uganda and Rwanda, the winner on aggregate will later face Cameroon on the qualification ground.
Rwanda will have an advantage since both games will be played in Kigali but Khalifah says that should not be a reason to fear since it hardly came as a surprise.
“Yes, it’s a situation we find ourselves in as a country buts it’s not a surprise. It does not mean we should not prepare,” he underlined.
“We shall go into both games with the same spirit in order to attain our target of going to the next round.”
After the withdrawal of Congo, Tanzania progressed onto the next round where they will be playing Botswana who as well received a bye for the preliminary round.
FUFA Big League side Onduparaka Football Club has named Anthony Afeti as their new chairperson.
Afeti is not a new face at Onduparaka having worked as the Chief Executive Officer at the same club.
The development was made public on Thursday morning via the club’s official social media platforms.
“Mr Afeti Anthony is our new club president,” a statement on their social media platform partly read.
“He replaces Mr Nyakuni Benjamin who gracefully held the position since our inception,” the statement added.
“Previously Afeti worked as CEO and Operations manager and it is commitment and dedication that have propelled our stakeholders to believe can steer the club to glory days.”
The Caterpillars were previously relegated after finishing bottom of the log with only 22 points gathered from 28 games.
Afeti’s first assignment will be guiding back the club into the top tier a stage they have held previously for several years.
The soft-spoken man has previously been at Arua Hill SC where he took on the CEO’s office for one and a half seasons before he was replaced by Pius Bamwange.
Reports from Arua indicate Onduparaka will have a new management structure with new members on the board as well as the technical wing.
So Afeti’s arrival kick starts a new appointment of the many that are yet to be announced at the Arua-based side.
During a long awaited interview of Vipers newly signed forward Giancarlo Rodriguez, the Brazilian said he has come to St Mary’s Kitende, Stadium to score goals.
Since the exit of Congolese Cesar Manzoki, the Kitende based squad has struggled to get a replacement of the big shoes.
They have previous shipped in goal poachers such as Abubaker Lawal, Ahmed Desire Tity and home boy Karim Ndugwa but none of them would collect a tally such as that of the Congolese.
“I have come here to score goals,” the Brazilian forward said before adding; “If I score goals here then I can become a good striker here.”
“I have come here to get very many goals because my position asks me to do. I love football so I will give my best. So I will work hard in all games so that we achieve as a team.”
Last season, Vipers’ goals came from everywhere across the squad as Milton Karisa had the highest tally being nine goals followed by Ndugwa and Yunus Sentamu who scored eight each.
Giancarlo added that he is already acclimatising with his new home. “I already love the country because its a good place to be. The vibe is high and I want to make a name here and write a legacy.”
“My family told me about Africa and am so happy here. I am not scared of the centre backs even though they are tall. I believe in myself. I am not a big star. I am not a big star am here to play football,” he concluded.
The arrival of Giancarlo provides the tactician Alex Isabirye with more options upfront ahead of the busy coming campaign.
Vipers has already confirmed the signing of David Bagoole, Richard Matovu and Giancarlo. They have also beefed up the technical bench with Lukusa Kayembe Raoul.
Abdul Karim Watambala has decided to hold on to his marriage with Vipers SC for the next two years.
This was underlined after the midfielder signed a two-year employment contract to get extend his stay at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende.
Watambala’s story at Kitende got underway in the 2019/20 season after gaining promotion from the youth side of the club.
Many will remember him for the all-important goal against BUL that gave Vipers a golden point in the 1-1 stalemate at the death thus keeping the league fight on.
For the past four seasons, he has played 72 league games 18 of those coming last season as the club lifted his it’s sixth Uganda Premier League title.
Watambala is one of the few bright prospects that has grown through the club’s youthful ranks into the senior side.
He also played a number of games with the National Team under the tutelage of Jonathan McKinstry.
Uganda’s Senior Women’s National Football Team, Crested Cranes, is set to play the doubleheader of the Women’s Olympic Qualifier games against Rwanda in Kigali.
On Wednesday morning FUFA via its official website, confirmed that the Crested Cranes will play both games in Kigali since the country has so stadium meeting the requirements needed by the tournament organisers.
The football governing body in Uganda FUFA confirmed the development after getting a green light from the Federation of Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) of the availability of the Stadium.
“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has granted FUFA’s request to host the 1st leg of the 2024 Women’s Olympic qualifier against Rwanda at Kigali Pele Stadium,” a post on the FUFA website read.
“FUFA has already received confirmation from the Federation of Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) of the availability of the Stadium.”
In the same breath, FUFA Communications Director, Ahmed Hussein further went on to confirm the move.
“With the unavailability of CAF standard Stadiums for hosting matches of this magnitude, our option is to implore using venues outside the country until the Mandela National Stadium is completed,” Ahmed was quoted.
“The other option St. Mary’s stadium Kitende is not available for use as it is undergoing renovation works,” he added.
However, before the highly anticipated duel, Uganda will play against Tanzania on Friday, July 6 in a match to weigh how prepared they are ahead of the Olympics qualifiers.
The first leg between Crested Cranes and She Amavubi will see the two sides lock horns on 12th July 2023 at 5:00 pm EAT.