Uganda Premier League side BUL FC has confirmed their second signing of the primary transfer window Joel Mutakubwa.

The custodian switches from Gaddafi FC to join the oil manufacturers not moving out of Jinja City.

Mutakubwa put pen to paper committing his stay at BUL for the next two years.

“The 29-year-old goalkeeper, who lifted the CECAFA Kagame Cup with Express FC in 2021, has signed a two-year contract with BUL,” the club confirmed via its official website.

Mutakubwa is an experienced shot-stopper who has proven on the local scene after thrilling campaigns with Tooro United and the Red Eagles.

However, Mutakubwa’s transfer to BUL reunites him with gaffer Abbey Kikomeko with whom they were at Busoga United (previously known as Kirinya Jinja SS).

He has also previously played for Kyetume FC.

He was also part of the Uganda Cranes squad that was summoned for the Cranes at CHAN in Algeria.

Gerald Ogweti was the first signing of BUL. More new faces are expected to join BUL in the busy transfer window.

It’s no secret anymore that midfielder David Bagoole will be making a return to Vipers ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Bagoole left Vipers at the end of the 2021-22 after a tough time that saw him go AWOL.

However MTN Sports understands, the midfielder has put a pen on paper to commit to his stay at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende for the next two years.

According to a source close to the player, Bagoole was clear to his agent letting him know that it’s only Vipers that he wanted to play for next season.

“After a fair campaign with Jinja North, Bagoole attracted a number of teams across the region but the player wanted Vipers more,” a source said.

“Bagoole’s camp nearly sealed deals with Sofapaka of Kenya and BUL but the priority was given to his former side. He believes there is unfinished business to handle,” the source continued.

“The deal to Sofapaka had more money but that did not change Bagoole’s mind because he was so sure about what he wanted hence sealing the shocking move.”

Last season, Vipers SC won a double lifting both the league title and the Uganda Cup so it will be seeking for a slot in the CAF Champions League groups on a bounce.

Bidco Uganda Limited (BUL) Football Club has confirmed the departure of three players as they continue to sweep the house ahead of the upcoming season.

The three players are Richard Wandyaka, Ivan Wani and Emmanuel Kalyowa.

The development was confirmed via the club’s official website on Monday, June 2024 in the afternoon.

“Three players have been given the green light to leave the Eastern Giants after their employment contracts with the club expired.

“The three played a key role in our fantastic run in the 2021/22 season, leading the club to the famous Uganda Cup title and fourth place in the league.”

Among the three leaving, Wadyaka has spent the longest time at the Jinja-based club. He has spent six years at BUL since he switched camps from URA FC in 2017.

Last season he was a bit blunt scoring only four goals and as well collecting a few several assists.

South Sudan’s international Wani joined the side from Busoga United but he only managed to score one goal in the just-concluded campaign.

The custodian Kalyowa is the other player set to leave BUL, it will be the second time the player walks away. He first served the side from 2015 to 2017 before he returned in 2021.

Last season, BUL finished seventh on the 15-teamed log with 36 points gathered in 28 games.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 

• BUL FC 1-1 Vipers SC
• SC Villa 1-0 Blacks Power
• Busoga United 0-0 KCCA FC
• Bright Stars 1-0 Arua Hill
• URA FC 4-0 Gaddafi

Karim Watambala scored from the spot at the death as Vipers shared spoils with BUL after a one-all draw in the Uganda Premier League at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Tuesday evening.

The Venoms came into the encounter knowing that they badly needed maximum points to keep in the mix for the title race but dropped two golden points.

Viper SC came close early as Ashraf Mandela released a powerful effort to test BUL’s Tom Ikara but the goalkeeper was equal to the assignment punching the ball away.

In the 24th minute, Watambala set up Isa Mubiru in a defence-splitting pass before the roving full-back laid a powerful effort into the area but custodian Ikara guarded his near post well and later Geroge Kasonko cleared his lines.

In the 39th minute, Fabien Mutombora pulled off a stunning save to deny Samuel Ssekamatte’s well-curled freekick.

With a minute to play in the first stanza, Yunus Ssentamu remained with a goalkeeper to beat but his weak effort was well collected by Ikara from close range.

Ten minutes into the second stanza, Vipers wasted another cut-clear chance as BUL’s backline fumbled with the ball in the box but Bright Anukani’s effort was emphatically blocked by Kasonko.

In the 62nd minute, Hillary Mukundane nearly pulled off some magic from a distance but his effort sailed narrowly by inches after forcing a way through bodies.

Two minutes later, Ssekamatte headed the hosts ahead with a bouncing header off Reagan Kalyowa’s well-delivered cross from the right flank.

With three minutes to go, Karim Ndugwa was fouled at the edge of the box, and Vipers were awarded a free kick in a great place but Sentamu’s freekick went narrowly wide.

In the final minute of the game, Douglas Muganga tripped Sentamu in the box and Vipers were awarded a penalty Watambala stepped up and sent Ikara the wrong way to level the game at the death.

The stalemate sent Vipers into the second position with 50 points and BUL is eighth with 35 points after 27 games played.

In the next games, Vipers SC will be at Kitende hosting Busoga United while BUL FC will be on the road facing Maroon FC on Saturday, May 27 in the final fixture of the campaign.

• Tuesday, May 16 
• KCCA FC 1-0 BUL FC

KCCA FC edged BUL FC to keep part of the title talk that is yet to take a snapshot finish.

In the game that was played at MTN Omondi Stadium, KCCA overcame BUL FC in a 1-0 slim victory on Tuesday evening.

The Kasasiro Boys returned to winning ways to end a three-game winless run that had caused tension in the yellow camp.

In the eleventh minute, Walter Ochora nearly directed the ball into his net but custodian Tom Ikara was quick to read the roving ball and came to the rescue.

Filbert Obenchan teed up Denis Iguma who pulled off a powerful effort but Ikara made equally a stellar save in the 27th minute.

Seven minutes later, Allan Onello was brought down in the box and the hosts were awarded a penalty.

Okello’s effort from the 12-yard spot found the back of the net to kick KCCA a deserved edge in the tight duel.

Simeone Masaba’s troops tried to restore parity and came close a number of times but lacked enough steam to guide the ball past the dotted line.

The loss meant the Jinja-based side had not won any game in the second round so far and are winless in 12 games.

KCCA FC will be happy that their gaffer Jackson Mayanja’s ban is now done and he will be back on the touchline as they play Busoga United in their next game.

The victory leaves KCCA FC in the second position with 49 points leveled with log leaders Vipers who have more six goals.

Uganda Premier League | Fixture

Tuesday May 16, 2023

• KCCA FC vs BUL FC
• UPDF FC vs SC Villa
• Vipers SC vs Express
• Arua Hill vs Busoga United
• Blacks Power vs Gaddafi
• Maroons vs Onduparaka
• Wakiso Giants vs Bright Stars

BUL FC are winless in their last 11 Uganda Premier League games. The oil manufacturers were a splendid side in the first round but things have looked so different in the second round.

BUL FC head coach Simeone Masaba is confident that the poor run can be brought to an end as they visit KCCA FC at the MTN Omondi Stadium on Tuesday.

“We have not won any game in the second round. But am glad we have prepared well ahead of the game against KCCA FC, I am positive we can win this game because the boys have prepared well,” Masaba said after the final training session ahead of the clash.

“Yeah! I know the previous games have not been easy but we can start with tomorrow’s game and win all the remaining encounters so that we can finish on a high,” he added.

BUL’s remaining three fixtures will see them lock horns with KCCA FC, Vipers SC and Maroons and Masaba is strong and firm that they can pick maximum points from these duels.

“It’s very possible in football if the boys are confident enough. We need to only do the right things and follow the set-up plan so that we hardly create room for error,” he concluded.

BUL will be motivated by KCCA’s recent poor form. The Kasasiro Boys have not won a game in their last three games.

The team has also faced suspensions that keep head coach Jackson Mayanja off the touchline as well as Tshingu Kankonde out of action.

The last two meetings of these sides have been all stalemates. BUL are eighth on the log with 34 points while KCCA is second on 46 points.

 

• Wednesday, May 10
• BUL FC 0-0 Arua Hill SC

BUL Football Club’s winless run in the Uganda Premier League extended to 11 games.

Someone Masaba’s charges shared spoils with Arua Hill SC in a goalless draw at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Wednesday evening.

The two sides fired blanks in a clash that witnessed limited chances but rather possession was mainly contested in the middle of the park.

In the last 11 games, BUL has posted seven draws and four losses marking that they are only a shadow of the team they were in the first round of the campaign.

After picking a point, BUL are eighth with 34 points after 25 games while Arua Hill SC are fourth with 38 points.

BUL will take their search for the first win of the second round on May 16 as they take KCCA FC at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

On the other hand, Arua Hill SC will host Busoga at Barifa Stadium.

• Results | Monday, May 1
• Wakiso Giants 0-0 BUL

Wakiso Giants held BUL FC to a goalless draw in the Uganda Premier League at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium on Monday.

It was a boring duel as both sides laboured to find the back of the net only to share spoils as matchday 26 got underway.

The Jinja-based side is now winless in their last 10 games registering six draws and four defeats while Wakiso Giants picked their third draw of the second round in which they have won once and lost six games.

The home side where denied a chance to enjoy their playing style due to the soggy ground that was in a trying state due to the heavy downpour in the morning.

The visitors got a chance to take the lead through Ibrahim Nsimbe but his snapshot sailed straight to Bashir Ssekagya’s gloves.

Jerome Kirya and Reagan Kalyowa also came close in the second stanza but could not get the ball past the dotted line.

The Purple Sharks also came close through Marvin Nyanzi but his effort lacked enough energy to beat Saidi Keni who palmed it away for a corner kick.

Substitute Tom Matsiko saw his free-kick sail away from the target despite being in a strategic position to hurt the visitors in the last 10 minutes of the game.

The last clear chance fell on Richard Okello’s foot through a counter-attack but his low hard effort was blocked by Rahmat Ssenfuka with a timely tackle.

The point leaves Wakiso Giants eighth with 32 points while BUL are sixth with 33.

Next on the fixture, Wakiso Giants will visit Busoga United on Saturday, May 13 while BUL FC will host Arua Hill SC on Wednesday, May 10th

Friday April 21

Busoga United 1-1 BUL FC

BUL FC was held to another 1-1 stalemate to extend their winless run in the Uganda Premier League to eight.

In the last eight league games, the Vipers have registered four wins and four draws.

Ibrahim Kazindula and Laban Tibita converted from the spot to share soils in the Jinja Derby played at Kakindu Stadium on Friday.

Both sides started kicked off defensively and were fearful to commit bodies, but Ibrahim Nsimbe set up Reagan Kalyowa though the midfielder failed to bury the attempt from close range.

In the 22^nd minute, Walter Ochora was brought down in the area and centre referee Pual Turyamureeba pointed at the spot.

Kazindula stepped up and converted from 12 yards sending Busoga’s custodian Michael Lutaaya the opposite way.

Eight minutes later, Lutaaya collected Isaac Insinde’s back pass in the forbidden area hence giving BUL an indirect free kick.

Busoga escaped the scare after Kazindula’s effort was blocked as it searched for its way to the target.

Six minutes into the second stanza, Tibita’s delivery bounced off the hand of BUL’s defender. The hosts were later awarded a penalty.

Tibita took on the task and barely disappointed from the penalty spot.

He later tripped once again in the area and was awarded a penalty but Saidi Keni comfortably collected his effort.

The result takes Busoga United to 12^th position with 23 points as they continue to fight not to drop to the red zone while BUL retain their fifth position on the log with 31

• Friday April 20
• Busoga United vs BUL