Wakiso Giants FC’s anchor man Lawrence Bukenya was one of the best players of the recently concluded season.

His impressive ball sense and patroling traits have attracted a number of top sides within and outside the boundaries of the country.

Reports indicate the ‘Tax Collectors’ are leading the race and have made their interest formal as they continue to court the player’s signature.

URA FC is still hurt for a direct replacement of their former captain Shafick Kagimu who left the club midway through last season after falling out with the technical team.

Bukenya is gifted with the skill of passing the ball within different ranges, he has proven to be a smart ball-winner and is always ready to drive the team forward.

Last season he played only 23 games out of 28 match days but each time Wakiso Giants played without him it would be clear that their midfield puzzle was not complete.

He guided the Purple Sharks to the eighth position by the end of the campaign with 36 points.

For starters, he is among the nominees lined up for the accolade of the season’s best midfielder in the upcoming Uganda Premier League (UPL) awards.

A brief about Bukenya

• Name: Lawrence Bukenya
• D.O.B: March 03, 1999
• Age: 24
• Position: Defensive Midfielder
• Weight: 75Kg
• Height: 1.67 m

Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC has confirmed the signing of Giancarlo Rodriguez.

The Brazilian forward is the first signing to join the Kitende-based side in the ongoing transfer window.

Rodriguez has put pen on paper committing his stay at St Mary’s Stadium for the next two years hence providing gaffer Alex Isabirye with more striking options.

It’s the first time Rodriguez will be playing in Africa since he has only played for clubs in South America and Asia.

The 33-year-old forward is a true journeyman who has transversed the globe playing the beautiful game.

According to Vipers SC’s official website, he started his career in the 2013 season playing for EC Victoria before he switched to Treza FC a year later.

The other teams he played for in Brazil are Sao Caetano, Santo Andre, Macae, Rio Branco AC, Ferroviario and Sousa.

He later joined Villa Nova, America RJ before he flew to Malaysia’s Petaling Jaya City FC.

He switched to Idonesia’s PSM Makassar in 2019 before he moved back home to play for Uniao Cacoalense-Ro.

More about the Brazillian forward

• Full Name: Giancarlo Lopez Rodriguez
• Date of Birth: January 14, 1990
• Place of Birth: Iguatemi (Brazil)
• Age: 33
• Height: 1.95m
• Nationality: Brazilian
• Position: Attack (Center Forward)
• Foot: Right

Uganda Premier League side Sergio Traguil recently announced Sergio Daniel Moniz a Portuguese tactician as their new head coach.

While at a press conference held today at Kati Kati restaurant, Sergio revealed his first target at the 13-time League champions is taking the Kasasiro Boys to the CAF Confederation Cup groups.

“We must go to the group stages, we have all it takes to achieve that and am confident about it,” Traguil noted.

“I have been following this club for quite a while. I have seen a lot of talent here and with that talent, we shall achieve a lot of amazing things,” he added.

The Kasasiro boys last played continental football under tactician Mike Mutebi in the 2018/19 campaign when they reached the group stages of the CAF Champions League.

On January 06, 2021, KCCA suffered another blow when they were eliminated from the CAF Confederation group stages’ qualifiers by AS Kigali who won the tie on away goals after a 3-3 stalemate.

After finishing second in the league behind Vipers who scooped a double, the Kasasiro boys earned a ticked to fight for a spot in the Confederation Cup.

They will believe yet again to find a route onto the grand stage to end the long wait.

KCCA FC’s new coach Sergio Traguil has promised to work closely with the club’s junior team.

While at Kati Kati Restaurant in his maiden meeting with the fourth estate, he promised to dedicate much of his time to the youth and nature talent as long as he stays at the MTN Omondi Stadium.

“I am going to work closely with the junior team and see how many of those I can build,” the Portuguese coach said.

“I have scheduled a meeting today and I will be talking to them after their game. I started my career with Benfica’s junior side so I have a special interest in young talents,” he added.

In the past, KCCA has been a nursery bed for huge talents which is not the case in recent days.

With the arrival of Traguil, the KCCA faithful should once again start believing that they will be seeing new talents sprout from their junior side.

Players like Allan Okello, Mustafa Kizza, Julius Poloto, Lawrence Bukenya, and Noel Nasasira to mention but a few have all passed through the academy at Lugogo.

The Lugogo-based side has made some good money from their youth side and if the project is given the right support then it will yield more into the club’s coffers.

“When we implement our style and belief right from the grassroots then it provides quality players for tomorrow. I will continue to talk to my fellow coaches to see that our target with the junior team is achieved.”

KCCA’s Junior Team is coached by Ssaka Mpima.

Crested Cranes custodian Vanessa Karungi has completed a mega move to Danish side FC Nordsjælland.

Karungi switches camps after spending three seasons at second-tier side B.93.

The former She Corporates skipper’s brilliant and thrilling show at his previous side attracted Nordsjælland to come for her.

Welcome, @VanessaEdithK21 🐯🧤

Læs meget mere om aftalen her🔻https://t.co/BV6xMmzVnq pic.twitter.com/tqn7l63ucu

— FC Nordsjælland 🐯 (@FCNordsjaelland) June 29, 2023

The move avails Karungi a chance to express herself and show the world what she is capable of.

She was part of the Cranes squad that represented the country in WAFCON which was held in Morocco.

In the books of Nordsjælland, she becomes the second Ugandan after Natasha Shirazi played for them in the 2019 campaign.

Uganda Premier League side BUL FC has confirmed the signing of Gerald Ogweti.

The former Ssaza Busiro forward made the switch from FUFA Big League side Lugazi FC.

While at Lugazi, he scored 18 goals to ensure that the team finishes fifth in the first participation in the Big League.

Ogweti is blessed with pace, physicality and a sharp eye for goal. With him, he comes to the oil manufacturers with experience from Masaza Cup, Buganda Regional League and Big League.

In the 2021/22 campaign, he scooped the top scorer’s gong with 16 goals as he guided his side from Buganda Regional League into the Big League.

According to BUL FC’s official website, the forward’s football journey kicked off at Friends Soccer Club in 2012.

He later to Lugazi Soccer Club in 2014 till 2019. He later switched camps hence joining Lugazi Municipal FC.

The following year, he joined Lugazi FC where he has written most of the history as a prolific striker and a a tested goal poacher.

The forward becomes the first signing of BUL in the new era that will Abbey Kikomeko as the steward.

Preparations for the Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Qualifiers are underway a provisional squad of 35 players has been called.

The summoned squad will be handled by Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi who doubles as the assistant coach of the senior team as well as the head coach of the U-20 Women’s National Team.

Khalifa is expected to work alongside Mubaraka Kiberu (goalkeeping coach) and Felix Ayobo (fitness coach) in the technical wing.

Mable Kabatalindwa (Team doctor), Joan Namusisi (Team Coordinator), and Prossy Nalwadda (Equipment Manager) will beef up the squad as backroom staff.

According to FUFA, the evaluation of the applications for the role and appointments will be confirmed soon.

The squad is expected to enter camp on Thursday, June 29 at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisasi. In the first round of the qualifiers, Uganda is set to face Rwanda in a doubleheader.

The Crested Cranes will host Rwanda on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, before they lock horns in a week’s time.

Crested Cranes Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers
Ruth Aturo (Alshabab FC Women, Saudi Arabia), Daisy Nakaziro (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Daphine Nyayenga (She Corporate FC, Uganda), Hadijah Nalongo (UCU Lady Cardinals, Uganda), Sharon Kaidu (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda)

Defenders
Jolly Kobusinge (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Asia Nakibuuka (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Sumaya Komuntale (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Lukiya Namubiru (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Shakira Nankwanga (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Stella Musibika (She Corporate FC, Uganda), Shadia Nankya (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Desire Katisi Natooro (Kataka She FC, Uganda), Patience Nabulobi (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda), Aisha Nantongo (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Samalie Nakacwa (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda)

Midfielders
Joan Nabirye(FC Minsk, Belarus), Zaituni Namaganda (Asubo Gafford Ladies FC, Uganda), Shamirah Nalugya (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Shakirah Nyinagahirwa (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Phiona Nabbumba (Boldklubben AF 1893, Denmark), Hadijah Nandago (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Rhodah Nanziri (Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Uganda), Elizabeth Nakigozi (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda)

Forwards
Fauzia Najjemba (ZFK Dynamo Moscow, Russia), Hasifah Nassuna (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Zaina Nandede (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Sandra Nabweteme (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera WFC, Israel), Resty Nanziri (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Ashiat Naluggwa (UCU Lady Cardinals FC, Uganda), Fazila Ikwaput (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Joanita Ainembabazi (Ceasiaa Queens FC, Tanzania), Catherine Nagadya (Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Uganda), Margaret Kunihira (Kampala Queens FC, Uganda), Anita Namata (Vihiga Queens, Kenya)

According to FUFA, the Uganda U-18 Women’s National Team has left their camping ground.

The U-18 Women’s squad has been camping at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru preparing for the CECAFA U-18 Women’s Champions.

However, the development further cements that the championship might not take place after being extended for now three times.

The championship was meant to take place between June 24 to July 8 in Nairobi, Kenya but were changed to June 29 to July 11.

“FUFA has confirmed the release of the entire contingent of players and officials of the Uganda National Women’s U-18 team players from the residential camp at the FUFA Technical Centre Njeru after CECAFA postponed the tournament,” FUFA Communications Director, Ahmed Hussein said.

Ethiopia and Tanzania are the other nations that have pulled out of the aforementioned championship.

Uganda Premier League side BUL FC have unveiled Abbey Kikomeko as their new head coach.

The unveiling ceremony took place today at their offices in Jinja.

The gaffer is set to replace Simeone Masaba who has been at the helm of the club for the second stanza of the concluded season.

Masaba took the steering wheel shortly after coach Alex Isabirye joined Vipers SC.

Kikomeko will work with Masaba as well as the remaining members of the backroom staff.

Kikomeko comes to BUL as a winner since he recently guided Mbale Heroes back into the FUFA Big League.

This happened after they ease walking past Bukedea Central in a doubleheader 7-0 on aggregate.

Kikomeko has also coached Busoga United and guided them to top-tier promotion in 2015.

The CAF B licensed coach will have a great assignment to regain the team’s winning belief and build a squad that can at least lift a title.

Since the departure of Isabirye, the team struggled to pick a win hence dropping in the log hierarchy.

Richard Wandyaka, Ivan Wani and goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa have departed from the oil manufacturers’ camp.

Reports indicate that they have already agreed on terms with Gerald Ogwet and Lawrence Tezikya.

FUFA Big League side Jinja North United FC has officially announced Sadiq Sempigi as their new head coach.

The tactician completed the switch after promoting Mbarara City FC to the top-tier league.

The unveiling ceremony was held at Bax Hotel in Jinja City on Monday, June 26, 2023, in the evening.

The CAF C licensed gaffer put pen on paper to sign a one-year-employment contract.

However, at the ceremony, Sempigi did not have his backroom staff and the appointments will be done ahead of the pre-season preparations.

Sempigi has previously worked with at Mbarara, Arua Hill SC, Wakiso Giants and Onduparaka as the assistant head coach under Livingstone Mbabazi.

He will also be in the dugout for Ssaza Bulemeezi in the ongoing 2023 Masaza Cup.