Uganda Premier League champions SC Villa will represent the country in the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup slated for July 6-21.

In the draws that were conducted on Wednesday, July 3 in Dar es Salaam, SC Villa was drawn in Group C alongside APR FC (Rwanda), Siginda Black Stars (Tanzania) and El Merriekh Bentiu (South Africa).

The 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup will have 12 regional teams competing to dethrone Uganda Premier League side Express FC.

The 12 teams have been drawn into three groups where all the top three teams and best placed second place will advance to the semifinals of the tournament.

However much the three groups look balanced, Group C looks particularly tough having two former champions SC Villa and APR FC.

The defending champions Express will miss the chance to try and defend their regional title due to the organisers’ lack of finances to have 16 teams as earlier planned.

According to a letter released by Express, the club cited logical and financial constraints as the main reason for chopping the list of participants from 16 to 12 teams.

2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup – Groups

Group A: Coast Union FC, AL Wadi FC, JKU SC, Dekedaha FC

Group B: Al Hilal, Gor Mahia FC, Red Arrows FC, Djibouti Telecom FC

Group C: SC Villa, APR FC, Singinda Black Stars, El Merriekh Bentiu

The draws for the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that will be hosted in Morocco have been conducted.

Uganda Cranes who appeared in back-to-back final tournaments in 2017 and 2019 have been drawn into Group K.

The Cranes will compete against their neighbours in the north South Sudan, Congo Brazzaville and South Africa.

It should be noted that Uganda did not qualify for the last AFCON and will be eager to make amends with the team now hosting their home matches at the renovated Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

The qualifying matches will kick off in September 2024 playing South Africa away from home and Congo at home.

In October, the Cranes with play South Sudan, first at home then travel to Juba before concluding the qualifiers in November, first hosting South Africa and later travelling to Braville for the ultimate game against Congo.

The exact dates for the matches will be shared in due course.

Uganda Premier League side BUL Football Club has unveiled lanky defender Bakali Magumba in the ongoing transfer window.

The defender joins the oil manufacturers switching sides from Mbarara City, where he spent the previous campaign.

The 20-year-old defender has put a pen on a two-year employment contract that will keep him at the club until June 2026.

The development was made public via the club’s official website today, on Thursday, July 4, 2025.

“BUL is pleased to announce the signing of Bakali Magumba from Mbarara City,” the statement partly reads.

After putting pen to paper, Magumba expressed his excitement about joining a club he supported in his childhood days.

“It’s a dream come true for me to be here now. I have been a fan of this great club since childhood and always of playing for the team,” he said.

“BUL is our home team, and I am proud that they have given me the chance to come back home. I and my fellow players shall fight hard to achieve the team’s goals,” he added.

Magumba has previously played for Busoga United and Gaddafi FC in the top-tier league before joining Mbarara City.

He becomes BUL FC’s maiden signing in the ongoing transfer window.

Uganda Premier League side Lugazi Football Club has announced Sadick Ssempigi as their new head coach ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

Ssempigi has been handed the assignment to lead the league newbies ahead of the maiden campaign in the top flight.

The development was announced by the club on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

“We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our new head coach Sadick Ssempigi,” the statement partly reads.

“Coach Sadick, we are excited to have you lead the team and bring your expertise to the pitch. Let us make history,” the statement added.

Shortly after the announcement, the gaffer shared his excitement to join Lugazi FC.

“I am thrilled to join Lugazi and be part of this ambitious and passionate club. I am focused on bringing my best to this club and committed to working hard, contributing to team success and achieving great things together,” he said.

His maiden assignment will be to ensure that Lugazi maintains a slot in the top tier football.

According to reports, Lugazi has already empowered their squad with the signing of midfielder Rogers Adriko and defender Bashir Asiku.

Uganda Premier League side Kitara Football Club has confirmed the signing of former Maroons captain David Ndihabwe.

The Royals confirmed the acquisition of the lanky midfielder on a one-year employment contract on Tuesday, July 2, in the afternoon.

“David Ndihabwe has put pen on paper with Kitara FC until the end of June 2025,” the statement partly reads.

Ndihabwe joins Kitara FC from Maroons FC, where he spent the last two football seasons. This will be Ndihabwe’s second stint with the Royals after the 2018/19 season.

Ndihabwe was involved in five goals for the Prison Wardens, scoring one and creating four assists.

He becomes Kitara’s second signing in the ongoing transfer window after the signing of Ronald Otti.

Uganda Premier League side URA Football Club has tied down James Begisa for the next two campaigns.

The roving right-back put pen on a two-year employment contract that will keep him at the club until the 2025-26 campaign.

“James Begisa renewed his stay at URA FC last week for the next two years that will see him serve the club until the 2025-26 season,” the statement partly reads.

In an interview with URA FC media, Begisa expressed his gratitude towards the club for extending his stay at the club.

“I’m incredibly grateful to URA FC for the opportunity to continue my journey here,” Begisa was quoted by the club’s official website.

“The past two seasons have been a nice experience, filled with growth and happiness. I feel honoured to wear this jersey and represent this club,” he added.

“I also want to thank the management, my teammates, and the fans for believing in me. This new contract is not just a renewal but a commitment from me to work even harder.”

His ability to balance both attacking and defensive duties has made him an important piece of the club’s puzzle.

Tanzania Premier League side Simba SC has confirmed the signing of Uganda Cranes forward Steven Dese Mukwala.

Mukwala has joined the Tanzanian side on a three-employment contract that will see him play for Simba until June 2027.

Mukwala joins the Reds of Msimbabazi from Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko where he won many hearts and became a fans’ favourite.

In Ghana, Mukwala scored 25 league goals in the two seasons he played at Asante Kotoko.

Mukwala joins Simba SC at a time when they seek to rebuild and end Young Africans’ dominance in Tanzania.

Simba finished third on the log with 69 points. On the other hand, Young Africans accumulated 80 points in 30 games to win the 30th league title.

Mukwala joins the likes of Emmanuel Okwi, Simon Sserunkuma, Murushid Jjuuko and Taddeo Lwanga as the Ugandans who have played for Simba SC.

Uganda Premier League side KCCA has finally confirmed the signing of roving left-back Isa Mubiru.

Mubiru joins the Lugogo-based side after switching from Vipers, where he spent the previous two seasons.

The development was confirmed via the club’s official website on Monday, July 1, 2024.

“Isa Mubiru has signed a two-year deal with KCCA FC until the end of the 2025-26 season,” the statement partly reads.

Mubiru is well known for his aggressive style of play that often makes good runs upfront on top of having an inch-perfect cross.

“I feel so happy to sign for KCCA FC. It is a dream come true to play for this club that is one of the best on the continent,” he said.

“I have come here to add to the rich history of the club. The club has good players in the position that I play in, but I bring with me health competition,” he added.

Mubiru will compete for a position with the likes of Herbert Achai, Mustafa Kizza, James Mubezi, and Rogers Atube.

Uganda Premier League side KCCA FC has acquired Sharifu Ssengendo from Gaddafi FC in the ongoing transfer window.

Ssengendo joins the Lugogo-based side after putting pen on a three-year employment contract that will see him play for KCCA until July 2027.

The development was shared with the public via the club’s official website on Monday, July 1, 2024.

“Sharifu Ssengendo has signed a three-year deal with KCCA FC until the end of the 2026-27 season,” the statement partly reads.

Ssengendo is a versatile player who can operate as a winger as well as a midfielder (both defensively and offensively).

He spoke to KCCA media, revealing that he is greatly yearning to be part of KCCA’s rich history.

“It’s an honour for me to join KCCA FC. It has been my dream to feature in this club one day. The club has a rich history, and I want to positively add to that history,” he was quoted.

“I have been here in the past for trials but am pleased that finally I caught the eye of the coaches and have been signed by the club. I hope to achieve many things together with this group of players,” he added.

KCCA continues to strengthen its squad as it seeks to end the long trophy drought at the MTN Omondi Stadium.

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

Otti joins the Royals switching from Jinja-based side BUL FC on a one-year employment contract.

The development was confirmed via the club’s website today Monday, July 7, 2024.

“Kitara Football Club has captured the signature of Ronald Otti. He was officially unveiled by the club president Deo Kasozi on Monday morning in Kampala,” the statement reads.

Otti put a pen on one-year employment that will see him play for Kitara until June 2025.

To secure the league’s best defender, Kitara beat stiff competition from other UPL sides such as Vipers and URA.

Kitara revealed to the club media, that he believes joining the Royals was the best choice.

“I believe this is the right choice and place for me to be. Kitara is an exciting club. I hope my experience can add something or improve my new team. I want to pledge my hard work and commitment to them,” he was quoted by the club website.

Otti becomes the club’s first addition in the ongoing transfer window as the club seeks to strengthen ahead of its international schedule.

Otti is expected to compete with Benjamin Nyakoojo, Maxwell Owachigiu, Arthur Kiggundu and David Kasaija for a position at the heart of the defence.