Oloboro wants to carry the torch lit by Omedi

There have been some good and inspiring stories from the Fufa Big League. Alex ‘Benzema’ Kitata became the first player to score double figures in the division when he scored 15 goals to guide The Saints to the Uganda Premier League.

That alone was enough to flag his name on the national scene, as the little-known marksman caught the eye of the then Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic in 2014. He was called to the Uganda Kobs team.

A year later, Edrisa ‘Torres’ Lubega scored 13 goals in eleven matches and later on set a 19-goal record as Proline rose back to the topflight. His achievements, again, caught Micho’s eye who summoned him for the 2016 Chan and 2017 Afco qualifier against Burkina Faso.

Another year down the timeline, Patrick Kaddu scored 15 times to return Maroons back to the elite league in 2017. That fete earned him a call up and a year later in November 2018, scored the crucial header as Uganda edged Cape verde 1-0 to qualify for Afcon 2019 in which he featured.

Years down the line, more have come. In the 2023/24 season, Denis Omedi broke Lubega’s seven-year record to score a whopping 22 goals.

That earned him a national team call-up and made his debut in a friendly against Mali in November 2023 shortly after joining Kitara.

For Omedi, it was a case of a late 29-year old bloomer but has since become a cog of the national team and earned himself a juicy contract with Rwandan giants APR.

Omedi’s story definitely resonates well with Lawrence Oloboro, the current leading scorer of the Fufa Big League. Oloboro, who has netted 11 goals so far, started his career in the lower leagues before guiding Light SS from Soroti to the topflight in 2022.

The team, however collapsed but then the striker jumped ship to newbies Soroti City which also lasted only a season before relegation. He moved to Calvary last season but struggled to find his footing after scoring only seven goals.

This season, Oloboro has been key as dark horses Calvary fight for promotion.

“It has been a long journey of perseverance but I look at their stories especially Omedi and hope for the best,” the striker said.

“What I just need to do to reach there or take my team up is keep scoring and I pray to God that he gives me strength,” he added.

Ntugasaze’s Lawrence Kambugu and Kataka’s Michael Olinga follow Oloboro closely with 11 and eight goals respectively.

FUFA BIG LEAGUE

Leading scorers

Lawrence Oloboro (Calvary) – 11

Lawrence Kambugu (Ntugasaze) – 10

Michael Olinga (Kataka) – 8

Ambrose Kigozi (Kiyinda Boys) – 8

Benjamin Opakrwoth (Paidha Black Angels) – 8

Dicken Victor Kilama (Arua Hill) – 7

Lucas Mola (Buhimba United Saints) – 6

John Wesley Kisaakye (Buhimba United Saints) – 6

Davis Kasirye (Gaddafi) – 6

Erick Kamuhanda (Myda) – 6

Maduka Innocent (Blacks Power) – 6

Previous Fufa Big League top scorers since 2013

2013/14: Fred Kalanzi (Lweza) – 9

2014/15: Alex Kitata (The Saints) – 15

2015/16: Edrisa Lubega (Proline) – 19

2016/17: Patrick Kaddu (Maroons) – 16

2017/18: Dickens Okwi (Amuka Bright Stars) – 14

2018/19: Ivan Bogere (Proline) – 14

2019/20: Covid interrupted

2020/21: Clinton Kamugisha (Nyamityobora) – 12

2021/22: Fred Amaku – 15

2022/23: Denis Omedi – 22

2023/24: Dickson Niwamanya (Booma) - 16

Weekend fixtures

Kiyinda Boys vs. Kataka - Bertham City

Buhimba Saints vs. Busoga United – Hoima

Paidha Black Angels vs. Arua Hill - Zombo

Onduparaka vs. Booma - Arua

Kigezi Home Boyz vs. Kaaro Karungi - Kabale

Myda vs. Gaddafi - Bukedea