Kitara vow to fight on but odds against them

Kitara celebrate their promotion to the Uganda Premier League in Njeru recently.  PHOTO/JOHN BATAUDDE
 

 
For  10 years Kitara pursued a dream of having a team from the region feature in the topflight Startimes Uganda Premier League.

 That target was finally achieved on October 21 after a Brian Muluuli strike secured a 1-0 win against Kiboga Young in the final of the promotional play-offs played at the Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru.

 The team duly received a heroes’ welcome upon arrival from locals in Hoima that needed Police intervention to curb the massive crowds.
 That was however as good as it got for the team also known as Bunyoro’s Pride.

 The Covid-19 pandemic ensured the final of the playoffs were held only four days prior to the originally scheduled start of the topflight season.

 The dates have since been postponed twice from October 17 to November 20 before league organisers appearing to finally settle on December 03.

 As a result, the club have had less time to sort out their transfer dealings compared to the other 15 teams in top division.  Last Friday, they were also not included on the draft fixtures released by the league secretariat after failing to submit a ground fit enough to host topflight league games.

 The club is one of two will be making their debut appearances in the league alongside Myda but were by press time still mulling over hosting games at the Fufa Njeru Technical Centre or in Arua
 The latter is 251km away from Hoima compared to Njeru which is 273km away from their home Boma ground in Hoima which was deemed unfit to host league games.

This is after they were reportedly turned away by a number of clubs in Kampala with only two topflight teams allowed to share a home ground.
 The club meanwhile parted ways with coach Mark Twinamasiko days after he helped them win promotion with goal-scoring hero Muluuli also rumoured to have followed him to another Big League outfit Kigezi Home Boyz. 

 Despite the setbacks, the influential club CEO Joshua Atugonza is confident they can overcome all obstacles and extend their stay in the league.  “We have been given more time to sign more players and we are confident of having a successful season,” asserted Atugonza.

 He is also hopeful the club can renovate a stadium in Masindi to meet league standards in time for the second round.

 Anthony Ssekitto has since replaced Twinamasiko as head coach, with this being his second stint at the club.

 He was in charge of the club in 2018 when they missed out on promotion after falling to Paidha Black Angels on penalties in the playoff finals at Lugogo.

 He has also worked at Bukedea Town Council last season and also had stints at Kyetume, Amuka Bright Stars and Paidha Black Angels.

 The club also expects to confirm the signings of up to 10 new players on Monday including Walter Rubankeni who is expected to join from Rwanda Premier League side Gicumbi.

 They also retain some experienced former UPL players including former Cranes defender Musa Docca and Phillip Sempira who starred for URA and Express.