Uganda Premier League Champions Vipers Sports Club have announced their first signing ahead of the off season.

The Venoms on Tuesday confirmed left back Isa Mubiru as their new player, for the next three years.

“We have signed defender Isa Mubiru from Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) Football Club for an undisclosed fee, the left back agreeing a three-year deal until 2025,” reads a statement on Vipers SC website.

The 25-year old defender in his remarks indicated this is a great step in his career and looking forward to a great stay at the club.

“Moving to Vipers SC is a big and important step in my life. I am delighted to be joining Vipers SC at this very exciting time for the club. I’m looking forward to being a part of this experienced, dynamic squad as we challenge for honours next season.”

Mubiru comes as a direct replacement for Aziz Kayondo who recently left for Royal Monarchs in USA. He will be contending for the left back spot with Disan Galiwango.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced changes in dates/time for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament that will be hosted by Côte d’Ivoire and will not be held between June and July next year but instead six months later.

“TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 moved to January and February 2024,” reads a statement on the CAF website.

The development was confirmed by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, indicating the decision was made at the CAF Executive Committee meeting in Morocco.

“The Executive Committee has decided that the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire will be postponed to the months of January and February 2024,” confirmed Motsepe.

The reason for the postponement is the adverse weather conditions in Ivory Coast with heavy rains expected between June and July.

Two qualifying rounds have already been played and it is not known whether the games will be adjusted given the changes in kickoff dates.

Uganda’s crested Cranes started their expedition at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on a losing note, falling to Senegal 2-0 on Sunday.

Senegal scored in either half of the game played at Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, Rabat through Diakite Ndeye and Nguenar Ndiaye.

The opening goal came in the 39th minute with Ndeye converting from the spot after Aisha Nantongo fouled in the box and five minutes after restart, Ndiaye capitalized on a mistake by defender Yudaya Nakayenze to double Senegal’s lead.

Uganda’s best scoring chance in the first half was when Fauziah Najjemba’s header off Viola Bambi’s corner-kick delivery hit the base of the goal post.

At the start of the second half coach Lutalo made changes bringing on Fazila Ikwaput and Phiona Nabbumba for Nambi and Hasifah Nassuna and later introduced Sandra Nabweteme for Shamirah Nalugya.

Nabbumba had shot from distance hit the upright while Ikwaput had a glorious effort when she went through on goal but shot straight at the goalkeeper.

The Crested Cranes will shift focus to Tuesday’s game against hosts Morocco.

Crested Cranes Starting XI: Ruth Aturo (GK), Asia Nakibuuka, Sumaya Komuntale, Yudaya Nakayenze, Aisha Nantongo,Joan Nabirye, Shamirah Nalugya, Hasifah Nassuna, Rita Kivumbi, Violah Nambi, Fauzia Najjemba

Substitutes: Daisy Nakaziro(GK), Vanessa Edith Karungi(GK), Margaret Namirimu, Sandra Nabweteme, Lillian Mutuuzo, Fazila Ikwaput, Joan Ainembabazi, Phiona Nabbumba, Sheebah Zalwango

BUL Football Club has announced the signing of Ronald Otti Ociti on a two-year deal.

The center half joins the Eastern Giants from Mbarara City and becomes the club’s second signing in this transfer period after Frank Kalanda.

“I am very excited and grateful to have joined one of the best clubs in the country.

“The technical team has shown great interest in me, and I now want to repay their trust by driving BUL forward so that we can perform better and achieve more,” Otti told the club website.

Otti leaves Mbarara City, a side he joined Nangabo Green Valley FC, after more than three years.

Women Africa Cup of Nations 2022
Group A
Morocco 1-0 Burkina Faso

Sunday, 3rd July
Senegal vs Uganda
Kickoff: 6PM (EAT)

Uganda returns to the Women Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after 22 years of waiting.

The Crested Cranes will face Senegal in their first group game on Sunday at Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.

With hosts Morocco defeating Burkina Faso in the opening game, Uganda will hope to garner three points against Senegal if progressing past the group stage is to be achieved.

Coach George Lutalo while talking to the media in the pre match press briefing highlighted how his charges are ready for the task.

“We have been working for this and the opportunity is now before us. Our target is to do well in every game and I can say the players are ready to face Senegal,” he stated.

Captain Ruth Aturo shared similar sentiments asserting every game will be handled like a final.

“We are ready for our first game and our target is to go out and compete. We shall treat every game as a final, giving full commitment to make sure we get positive results.” She stated.

This is the first time Uganda and Senegal are facing off.

The Lionesses of Teranga are equally returning to this stage after a long time. Their last appearance came at the 2012 edition.

Group B opening games will as well be played on Sunday with Cameroon facing Zambia while Togo will take on Tunisia.

Former Uganda Cranes captain and legend Ibrahim Sekagya is excited at the new challenge before him after being named New York Red Bulls II Interim head coach.

This followed the departure of Gary Lewis who was in charge of the side until Saturday. The club decided to replace him with Sekagya who is in his eighth season as an Assistant Coach.

“Same JOURNEY,different new CHALLENGES ahead!!!!” Sekagya tweeted a photo, with words “So help me God.”

This a familiar role Sekagya has been in before. He was head coach for three matches.

He brings his playing experience too as he was a former New York Red Bulls defender, retired in 2015 after making 33 appearances.

He had spent six seasons playing for Red Bull Salzburg before, where he won three Austrian Bundesliga titles and an Austrian Cup championship.

Former Uganda Cranes captain Ibrahim Sekagya has been named the Interim Head Coach of New York Red Bulls II for the remainder of the 2022 USL Championship season.

Sekagya who has recently impressed and he is in his eighth season as an Assistant Coach with Red Bulls II, replaces Gary Lewis with whom the club parted ways on Saturday.

He has filled in as Head Coach for three matches during that span according to the club website.

The former New York Red Bulls defender retired in 2015 after making 33 appearances with the same club.

He had spent six seasons playing for Red Bull Salzburg before, where he won three Austrian Bundesliga titles and an Austrian Cup championship.

His duties will commence when New York Red Bulls II travel to face Louisville City FC on Saturday, July 9.

The 2022-23 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season tentative kickoff date has been set for 30th September 2022.

The draft fixtures are expected to be released on 10th August by the Uganda Premier League Secretariat.

The preseason tournament, Pilsner Super Eight, will be played starting on 1st August.

The clubs will receive their licenses due from 1st-5th August with the second All-Star Match set to be played on 1st September. It will be the second time the All-Star Match will be played.

The Primary Registration window will end on September 21.

The first round will end on December 22 before the second round kicks off on January 9th, 2023.

In between, the Secondary Transfer window will begin on 1st January and run until the 30th of that month when clubs will be allowed to reinforce their squads.

The Stanbic Uganda Cup Round of 64 will kick-off on 10th January.

The Uganda Premier League 2022/23 season will then end on June 1-4 with Matchday 30.

It should be noted that these are tentative dates which are subject to change.

Blacks Power, Kyetume, and Maroons are the newly promoted teams, with the former set for their maiden appearance in the top flight.

The FUFA Drum is back for the third edition after a two-hiatus due to Covid-19. The tournament was launched on Wednesday at FUFA Complex in Mengo.

FUFA President Moses Magogo officially launched the interprovincial tournament alongside Rogers Byamukama, the FUFA Drum Organizing Committee Chairman, and John Paul Ssemakula who represented headline sponsors.

Magogo indicated it is important to have the tournament return because of the values attached to it.

“It is an exciting moment that the FUFA Drum is back. Football speaks the language of passion and we are proud of our ancestry, culture, and identity. This tournament gives us an opportunity to be proud of where we come from and the first two editions proved it.

“I remember when Buganda played Acholi at Pece Stadium and Ekitiibwa kya Buganda was played, it meant a lot in re-uniting the people.

“We are proud to announce that all the games this year will be telecast live on FUFA TV. This will definitely help us to increase the visibility of the tournament and people living in the diaspora have the chance to watch their respective provinces in action.”

Tournament Format

Unlike the previous editions that were played from the group stage, this year’s tournament will be played on a knockout basis.

It will start with the Round of 16, played on a home and away basis.

Winners on aggregate will advance to the quarterfinals where games will also be played on a home and away basis.

The quarterfinal winners shall then be pooled into one group and play at a central venue in a round-robin format.

The top two after the round-robin format will progress and play the final while the bottom two will face off in the third-place playoff.

Past Winners

• 2018 – Buganda
• 2019 – Acholi
• 2020 – Not Held
• 2021 – Not Held
• 2022 – ?

FUFA Drum 2022 Draw

• Busoga vs. Acholi
• Bukedi vs. Kampala
• Lango vs. Ankole
• Bugisu vs. Sebei
• Bunyoro vs. Lango
• West Nile vs. Karamoja
• Kigezi vs. Buganda
• Tooro vs. Rwenzori

Crested Cranes brushed aside Zambia on Tuesday in a practice game as the two nations continue with preparations for the forthcoming Women Africa Cup of Nations.

The Crested Cranes whipped the Copper Queens five-nil in the game played at Granda Stade de Marrakesh.

Viola Nambi led the way with a brace with Fauzia Najjemba, Rita Kivumbi, and substitute Fazila Ikwaput adding a goal apiece.

Kivumbi and Nambi who did not have a chance to train with the team in Kampala are proving to be important additions to the side.

Kivumbi broke the deadlock in the 37th minute before Nambi and Najjemba fired home in quick succession to give Uganda a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the break.

Uganda continued to dominate the match even after the break with Nambi getting Uganda’s fourth and her second on the day in the 57th minute.

Coach Lutalo made a triple change bringing on Ikwaput, Lillian Muttuzo, and Phiona Nabbumba for Najjemba, Nambi, and Hasifah Nassuna in that order.

It took Ikwaput just a few minutes to announce her arrival, scoring the final goal for the Crested Cranes in the 74th minute.

There were further changes with Sheebah Zalwango and Sandra Nabweteme replacing Shamirah Nalugya and Kivumbi respectively.

The win gives Uganda confidence going into the first group game against Senegal on Sunday in Rabat.