Kitara Football Club flies to Ethiopia for a Friendly match with two of the new members of the side.

Ronald Otti (defender) and David Ndihabwe (midfielder) who joined from BUL Football and Maroons Football Club respectively are part of the travelling squad.

However, Titus Ssematimba and Marvin Nyanzi (officially announced today) both from Wakiso Giants are not part of the squad.

Kitara is set to play Mecha Sports Club in a Friendly match over the weekend on July 14.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Crispus Kusiima, Jamil Kiyimba

Defenders: Maxwell Owachgiu, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Ronald Otti, Arthur Kiggundu, Jasper Aheebwa, David Kasaija

Midfielders: Eric Muber, Paddy Muhumuza, David Ndihabwe, Solomon Okwalinga, Frank Tumwesigye, Frank Yiga

Forwards: Kabon Living, Jude Ssemugabi, Brian Aheebwa, Denis Omedi, George Ssenkaaba

Uganda Premier League side Maroons has confirmed Ibrahim Dada as their latest signing in the ongoing transfer window.

The 25-year-old forward joins the Prison Wardens after being released by URA Football Club.

The development was confirmed on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, via the club’s official social media platforms.

“Maroons FC is delighted to announce the signing of Ibrahim Juma Dada from URA FC on a two-year contract, with an option for extension,” the statement partly reads.

According to Maroons, Dada is known for his clinical finishing, pace, and exceptional ball control and usage.

Since graduating from Nyamityobora FC, Dada has experienced growth and maturity in his craft, thus being a great replacement for Fred Amaku, who joined Kitara FC.

At URA FC, Dada scored 14 goals and created 12 assists in 87 appearances. He becomes Maroons’ third signing in the ongoing transfer window.

Uganda Premier League side Kitara Football Club has completed the signing of Titus Ssematimba in the ongoing transfer window.

Ssematimba has agreed to a one-year employment contract that will keep him at the club until July 2025.

The announcement was confirmed today, Tuesday, July 9, through the club’s official website.

“Titus Ssematimba is officially a Kitara Football Club player after agreeing and spending his signature on a year-long contract,” the statement partly reads.

Ssematimba earlier spent two seasons at Wakiso Giants and showed a glimpse of potential at an early age.

After putting pen to paper, the attacking midfielder told the club’s media that he was eager to write a new chapter with Kitara.

“I am excited and already feel welcome here (at Kitara). I am keen to write a new chapter with Kitara and hope it will be a good experience,” he stated.

He added; “I want to give my very best, better myself as a player and help my new team win more games and silverware.”

Ssematimba becomes the club’s third signing following the arrival of defender Ronald Otti and defensive midfielder David Ndihabwe.

Gift Ali wrote down an emotional letter as he walked through the back door of Kampala Regional side Proline Football Club.

Reports indicate that Gift Ali will be joining Tanzania Premier League side Coastal Union FC after ending his marriage with Proline FC.

“Dear Proline, today I bid farewell to you (for now). I say for now because I know that as my home, your doors shall always open for me in future. Home is home,” Gift Ali wrote.

“From the first time our paths crossed, you welcomed me into the fold and gave me a home. You gave me the best band of brothers; one that only Allah can choose. We went through all emotions together: joy, sadness, tough times but above all, we kept smiling,” he added.

“You made me appreciate the results of blood and sweat, tears and smiles. We hugged, embraced and danced. As I take the opportunity to further my playing career, I have no doubt that our paths shall cross again. In shaa Allah. For now, allow me blow the candle. But I will not throw the lighter away.”

“Thank you for all you gave me. I know I gave you all. Let’s roll many more times in future,” he concluded.

Sadly, Gift Ali together with Proline failed to seal a slot in the FUFA Big League after losing 3-2 on aggregate against Ntungasaze.

On the other hand, Gift Ali’s new side Coastal Union finished fourth on the Tanzania top tier table with 43 points in 30 games.

Ivan Asaba is one of Uganda’s young exciting talents and that was proven by how the forward guided Uganda Hippos to the U-20 AFCON Final in 2021.

The St Mary’s Kitende forward has since then met challenges in his growth that limited his time on the green and many Ugandans forgot about him.

However, Asaba is excited about his maiden Uganda Premier League season and hopes to revive his stalled career.

“I am excited because it’s going to be the first time to play in the Uganda Premier League,” he told NBS Sport.

“I expect to help my team finish in a better position than what it finished in the last season. I also want to help the team move forward, and not be relegated to the Big League,” he added.

Asaba still dreams of playing professional football and he believes joining Maroons can be a stepping stone to reach the promised land.

“I want to use the club (Maroons) as a stepping stone to going professional. My other targets are winning trophies here and helping the team to achieve its goals.”

Asaba has grown through the ranks winning the CECAFA U-17 Championship in 2020 before storming the Hippos’ side.

At Maroons, Asaba signed a two-year contract ahead of a fresh start for the promising forward.

Matchday five of the 3rd Edition of MTN Tooro Amasaza Cup saw Fort Portal City Country deliver a crushing blow to Kibale County, securing a 1-0 victory at the Kahunge Playground in Kamwenge District.

This win not only earned Fort Portal City FC a coveted spot in the semifinals but also virtually eliminated Kibale County from the tournament.

George Kato was the hero for Fort Portal, scoring the decisive goal in the first half. Despite numerous opportunities and free kicks, Kibale County failed to find the back of the net.

Reflecting on the victory, Kato praised his team’s spirit and collective effort. “It was me who scored the goal but this was just proof of family spirit. We played well and created many chances, so we deserved the win. I’m happy that we have progressed to the semifinals. This time, we need the trophy,” he said.

The match, attended by several dignitaries from Tooro Kingdom, MTN, and local politicians, saw a resilient Fort Portal City FC dominate the field.

Godfrey Muhumuza, chairman of Kibale County, expressed disappointment over their elimination but remained optimistic about the future. “We are out of the tournament, but we are going to plan for next year. We have a better team, but the coordination was not good,” he said.

Irene Linda, the Fort Portal City woman Member of Parliament, was present at the game and lauded MTN for their partnership with the kingdom.

“We appreciate MTN, which has injected a lot of money and supported the kingdom in organizing this tournament. We also appreciate all our counties for their participation,” she remarked.

Fort Portal County FC is set to face Bunyangabu County FC in the semifinals at Buhinga Stadium on July 28 in Fort Portal City. This highly anticipated match will determine who advances to the final, with both teams eager to claim the championship.

Reigning Uganda Premier League Champions SC Villa has announced a travelling squad for the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup having six new faces.

Denis Kaka Omony, Kato Ssemayange, Geoffrey Lubangakene, Najib Yiga, Johnson Ssenyonga, and Isaac Mpagi are the new faces in the 25-man squad.

The two left backs Omony and Ssemayange join the league record champions switching from Soltilo Bright Stars, where they ran out of contract.

Right back, Mpangi also joins Villa from Maroons, the energetic and speedy defender brings fresh energy to the Jogoo.

After helping Mbale Heroes earn top-tier status, Lubangakene has also joined Villa as another option in the heart of the backline.

Former Hippos forward Yiga has also joined SC Villa after concluding his dull loan spell at Kitara FC.

Ssenyonga joins SC Villa from Jinja North United, which recently suffered the axe, thus falling into the regional league.

SC Villa’s technical branch has also been boosted by the acquisition of Serbian gaffer Momcilo Medic, who has been introduced as the club’s new statistician.

In the CECAFA Kagame Cup, Villa are pitted in Group C alongside APR FC (Rwanda), Singing Black Stars FC (Tanzania), and Al Merriekh Bentiu (South Sudan).

Uganda Premier League side BUL Football Club has confirmed the signing of Isaac Wagoina in the ongoing transfer window.

Wagoina joins the Jinja-based side from Express FC, where he spent the previous campaign.

The development of the transfer was made public on Friday, July 5, via the club’s official website.

“Isaac Wagoina has finalised his move from Express to BUL. The forward joins the club after penning a two-year contract, which keeps him at the Eastern Giants until 2026,” the statement partly reads.

Shortly after penning the contract, Wagoina shared with the club media why he chose BUL among the available options.

“I decided to join BUL, and I was not coerced. I looked at all the teams that were chasing my signature, and BUL was the best among all. Arguably, it’s the biggest team in Uganda,” he stated.

“I looked at its ambitions, ability, and possibility of winning great things, and all boxes were just ticking. I then decided as a player that this is the right team I should play for,” he added.

Wagoina proved to the world that he is a great goal scorer, having scored 14 goals and made three assists in 29 games as Express finished 12th.

He has previously played for Iganga Young, Busoga United, and Busei United before joining the Red Eagles in the previous season.

Uganda Cranes was drawn in Group K alongside South Africa, South Sudan and Congo Brazzaville ahead of the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers.

After the draws, Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put deemed the group fair and playable.

“I think it is a fair group. There are no easy games but I think it is fair and playable,” Put stated.

“Of course, you can not underestimate anything but it’s a fair group. I hope my players keep in shape to be ready for the first games in September,” he added.

“The selection of the final 23 players will not be easy. I am expecting the players to be focused and have the right mindset to prepare for the games.”

Uganda will be aiming to return to the final AFCON championship since 2019 after failing on the last two attempts.

Paul Put’s charges will have to first travel to South Africa in September before they later host Congo in the six-game journey.

Talented forward, Isaac Wagoina has bid farewell to Uganda Premier League side Express FC.

The development was brought to the public in an emotional letter released on Wagoina’s social media handles today, Friday, July 5.

“It’s with a heavy and teary heart that I write to you about my departure from the club. I must say it’s one of the hardest decisions to jot down in my life,” the forward penned.

“To my teammates, you have been phenomenal during my stay at Wankulukuku. Sharing the dressing room with you is what a player would ask for, but I am very glad our paths crossed. I wish you nothing but the very best wherever life takes you,” he added.

In the previous campaign, Wagoina was Express’ most utilised player featuring in 29 games and managing to score 14 goals.

Reports indicate that the forward is soon sealing a permanent transfer to UPL side BUL FC.

Express finished 12th on the 15-team log in a dull campaign, and Wagoina was one of the bright spells in the Red Eagles camp.