Inside Uganda Premier League clubs

BUL
Despite beating Express 1-0 at Njeru Techinical Center on Saturday, the result for Peter Onen’s Bul side was not bullish at all. They have retained only a handful players - Musa Walangalira, Richard Wandyaka, James Otim Richard Matovu, Jimmy Kulaba and Hamis Tibita of the 22 they had last season. Goal scorer Deogratius Ojok and his striking partner Musa Esenu still have a lot to improve as is their midfield.

Busoga United
And just like that, Busoga United have transformed from that bogey side from Jinja many clubs dreaded to meet to relegation candidates. Reason, their transfer policy has somehow let them down even when they acquired Ibrahim Mugulusi, Sula Wambedde, Shafiq Kakeeto, Hakim Magombe and Musa Magumba. Busoga United CEO Hassan Mugerwa revealed that they needed to reinforce the squad in a bid to fill the gap left by midfield anchors Godfrey Akol (joined rivals Bul) and David Bagoole (on his way to URA). In the loss to Tooro United, Abbey Kikomeko’s side looked out of sorts.

Bright stars
Bright Stars chairman Ronnie Mutebi says the change in coaching staff was necessitated by the need to change approach. After five years under the tutelage of Fred Kajoba, the club opted to swap that stability for a change in playing style. Mutebi said during the unveiling of new coaches Muhammad Kisekka and Simon Peter Mugerwa that the club wanted coaches who have worked with young players and can help improve players for better markets.

EXPRESS
Express welcome Bright Stars to their Wankulukuku home looking to bounce back from their opening day defeat to Bul. But the Red Eagles enter this one with questions surrounding their goalkeeping department. Tony Kyamera was taken off with breathing difficulties after a collision with Bul striker Musa Esenu in the 73rd minute, and rushed to hospital. But he has since been cleared by medics and given a five-day rest. Mathias Muwanga was also just recovering from injury by press time, leaving only Joshua Adea as the fit goalkeeper.

KCCA
Kezironi Kizito will be tied down to KCCA for the next two years according to reports from Lugogo. The former Vipers player is reported to have penned a two year deal with the Ugandan champions after his stint with Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kerala Blaster ended. He joins a highly crowded midfield at KCCA that includes Nicholas Kasozi, Sadam Juma, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Mike Mutyaba, Abubakar Gift Ali and Jackson Nunda among others.

KYETUME
Jonathan ‘Dante’ Mugabi says he is motivated and inspired after winning the man-of-the-match award as Kyetume beat his former side 1-0 on the opening day of the league last week. Mugabi, who was in a fine form kept the attackers in check as ‘The Slaughters’ won their first game of the season. Mugabi returned to Uganda from Kenyan side Sofapaka which he joined from Vihiga United after leaving SC Villa in 2016.

Maroons
The Uganda Premier League off season is quite long, lasting close to four months. The Maroons pair of right back Eddie Kapampa and midfielder Ronald Orombi consequently used some of that time to give back to the community. The duo did community work visiting a number of hospitals as part of a group called Fair Play Off The Pitch.
On the pitch they will be looking to get their first win of the season when they host Kyetume after suffering a 3-0 loss to URA last Friday.

Mbarara
Mbarara City new signing Gadafi Gadihno will finally roll on that jersey when the Western Uganda side face SC Villa in their second league match of the season at Namboole tomorrow. The former Onduparaka midfielder has been one of the more decent players in the last couple of seasons, and the Ankole Lions, fresh from a 3-0 thrashing of Proline in their opener, will be hoping Gadihno improves their attacking options led by inspirational Paul Mucureezi.

Onduparaka
Following Police’s no-show for the would-have-been season opener against Onduparaka last Friday, the two will finally kick their first 2019/20 league ball tomorrow after Police returned to the country. Onduparaka did show up for the game at Luzira, but Police, who had travelled to Kenya for regional forces games - reportedly without officially notifying the league secretariat, did not. Onduparaka are likely to be awarded three points from that. The two can get started tomorrow when Police host Bul and Onduparaka visit Proline.

Proline
For 270 minutes Matiya Lule has been in charge, the team has scored just one goal. This draws attention to what Shafiq Bisaso did differently. But Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Mbarara City, put Lule in the rearview mirror. First, his defence pair Bernard Muwanga and Mustafa Mujuzi did not work. The second thing is lack of team chemistry. Without Ivan Bogere, he opted for Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza, whom he replaced with Alfred Leku to no reprieve. Ahead of tomorrow’s game with Onduparaka, halting the losing streak is Lule’s first priority.

Police
Abdallah Mubiru must be a busy man this week. Taking charge of Police in their first league match against Bul tomorrow at the Kyabagu Stadium in Wakiso and at the same time managing the national team preps ahead of the weekend friendly fire with Kenya in Nairobi. Police is yet to learn their fate after skipping their proposed league opener against Onduparaka at Luzira and will begin life without striker Juma Balinya and midfielder Hassan Kalega.It will be interesting to see how much the EAPCO games have drained out of the players when they face Bul.

Tooro
As Tooro United gaffer Wasswa Bbosa bids to accrue three points off Vipers today at St Mary’s Stadium, he has been handed a timely boost by the return to full fitness of the midfield trio of Ibrahim Kayiwa, Willy Kavuma and Godfrey Lwesibawa. Tooro United trounced Busoga United in the opening match over the weekend and would want a to field their A-team against Vipers at home. Last season, Tooro held Vipers home and away which will be a motivating factor this afternoon.

URA
Talk is rife at URA that this may be their season to get a fourth league title. As thus, they raided the market for more than 12 players but one of the most crucial signing David Bagoole, one of the best midfielders last season, is already causing headache. Parent club Busoga United has refused to release him until URA pays out his last year on the contract yet Bagoole reportedly duped the tax collectors that he was a free agent and got his Shs20m sign on fee. Sam Ssimbwa is yet to field him and Busoga United are determined to get their bargain.

Villa
The mandate of the William Nkemba interim-led committee was extended to February 20, 2020.
This reportedly followed a meeting that included Fufa officials, Nkemba, former club president Franco Mugabe, Guy Kawuma and Julius Walukaga.
The interim committee is now expected to release the club road map in the next two weeks although similar claims were also stated last year. The club is then expected to hold elections for new leadership in February.

Vipers
Today’s match between hosts Vipers and Tooro United at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende comes with many anecdotes. One, Tooro will still be looking for their first ever win away to Vipers. Coach Wasswa Bbosa’s men have lost eight of 12 meetings, with the others ending in draws - including last season’s home and away fixtures. Now, Tooro return. Yet they return to potentially fall to their own. Allan Kayiwa may not make the starting XI, but like has been the previous games, Edward Golola is likely to throw him on late against his former side, with whom he was very impressive last season.

Wakiso Giants
In terms of team wear, Wakiso Giants, Vipers and Police, stole the limelight. But they were handed a rude welcome to the table of men. Saturday’s 1-0 loss to KCCA was a reminder of the task ahead and utility striker Geoffrey Sserunkuma thinks their home ground at Wakiso should provide an added advantage against URA today. Sserunkuma is aware of the challenge Sam Ssimbwa’s side pose after beating Maroons 3-0 and he says they are determined to come back fighting.