Category: Highlights

BUL FC rediscovered its winning touch on Wednesday, bouncing from a goal down to collect all three points from a cagy bout with Bright Stars at FUFA technical centre, both goals in the 2-1 victory coming in the second half.

Shafik Kakande shot the visitors into a halftime lead not knowing that Walter Ochora and Jerome Kirya would return after the break with full batteries to turn fortunes for BUL.

Abbey Kikomeko’s men had gone three league matches without seeing victory, with the gap between them and Kitara in second place reducing to two points but Wednesday’s result means they have at least fortified their position at the summit with a tally of 37 points from 17 rounds.

BUL was the liveliest side in the first half as they advanced the ball throughout the 45 minutes only that they failed to turn possession into goals.

The first shot at goal came courtesy of roving left back Nicholas Mwere in the second minute, chesting down Alex Kitata’s header on the left side. The resulting drilled shot was deflected for a corner  though.

Just after a while, there was a misplaced pass near the 18-yard box and it almost benefited Bright Stars. John Kokas Alou took the chance with cheers only for his effort to be claimed by goalkeeper Tom Ikara.

Alex Kitata in response looked determined to add on his eight goals this season, going behind a defender and then breaking free into box with pace before side netting.

Relentless is the word that defined BUL at this stage. Bright Stars struggled to clear their goal area; Reagan Kalyowa had them for a dinner and then invited Jerome Kirya whose shot went wide.

Things temporarily went head over heels on the other hand despite the early dominance as it was the visitors who smiled going into the break.

Three minutes to half time, and against the run of play, Nelson Ssenkatuka picked up the ball just outside the box and managed to thread a pass to Shafik Kakande, Kakande wheeled into the box and squeezed an effort through the Eastern Giants defense and into the bottom corner of Ikara’s net in the 42^nd minute.

On top of the table but on the back of three games without a win, and a goal down in this one, BUL had to look for answers and there was no better way to search for them than emerging from the interval more energetic than they were in the first half, and they were ultimately rewarded for their artistry and zeal in the second half. Coach Kikomeko replaced Amos Kirya with Lawrence Tezikya and the visitors swapped Alex Mandera for Noordin Bunjo.

With the Eastern Giants asserting dominance, workaholic center back Walter Ochora emerged exactly where BUL need him to meet Jerome Kirya’s free kick that he pounced in hard past the time wasting Hassan Matovu to draw the affairs level eight minutes into the second stanza.

Providing the assist for the equalizer, Jerome Kirya continued his quest for a goal of his own, with him robbing Isa Bugembe the ball and his long range shot from the midfield stung the gloves of Matovu before the ball looped into the net to put BUL into a well-deserved lead in the 69th minute.

The teams then started going blow for blow as BUL intensified their search for a third to kill off the game while Bright Stars thought they could still scrap a point from the duel, and it was them who forced a save from Tom Ikara through Senkatuka.

At this moment, the Eastern Giants required new legs and so they withdrew Ibrahim Mugulusi and Alex Kitata for Ibrahim Kazindula and Gerard Ogweti, with the latter almost scoring when he was found in the box by Kirya.

However, the third goal did not come, and Ochora and Kirya’s goals proved enough to win BUL the much needed and well deserved three points at FUFA technical centre.

Focus now shifts to the round of 64 Uganda cup match with Simba FC at Namulonge play ground on Wednesday next week.

Starting XI:

Tom Ikara (GK), George Kasonko, Ronald Otti, Walter Ochora, Nicholas Mwere, Ibrahim Mugulusi (Ibrahim Kazindula 83’), Jerome Kirya, Hillary Onek, Reagan Kalyowa (Joel Madondo 90+2’), Amos Kirya (Lawrence Tezikya 62’), Alex Kitata (Gerald  Ogweti 83’).

Unused substitutes:

John Okurut, Emmanuel Obua, Pascal Ngobi, Joel Mutakubwa, Benon Tahomera.

Wednesday February 7, 2024

Uganda Premier League

BUL FC VS Bright Stars

FUFA Technical Centre

Kick-off: 4pm

BUL FC will be required to dig in to return to winnings ways on Wednesday evening when they welcome nemesis Bright Stars to the FUFA technical centre.

Despite accumulating a three game run without victory for the first time this season, the Eastern Giants continue to boss the league table proceedings but they need to build the steam again if they are to remain at the summit.

Abbey Kikomeko’s side goes into the clash on the back of a 0-0 draw against KCCA last time out, while Bright Stars claimed a 1-0 triumph over Wakiso Giants.

As things stand, eight places and 13 points separate the teams. BUL counts 34 points in the first place on the log in respect to their ten wins, four draws and two losses from 16 games. The visitors can however only be found in a distant 9^th position given that their five wins, six draws and five losses can only produce 21 points.

The reverse fixture went BUL’s way as they won 1-0 at Kavumba recreation grounds in September last year courtesy of Lawrence Tezikya’s solitary goal, and they will be optimistic even this time because the visitors have been quiet away from home all throughout.

Wednesday’s bout is the 23^rd battle between the two teams since 2013.

Team News

Long term absentee Pascal Ngobi continues to undergo rehabilitation, so he misses this one too.

Lawrence Tezikya was cautioned last time out and is suspended due to card accumulation.

Douglas Muganga and Martin Aprem picked up injuries as well but the rest of the players are available and ready to play.

Abbey Kikomeko has given his pre match thoughts ahead of BUL’s clash with Bright Stars at the FTC on Wednesday.

“We come into this game knowing that Bright Stars has given us hard times in the previous campaigns. We drew 2-2 the last time we played home against them but we beat them 1-0 at the start of this season,” he said.

“We now meet knowing they are coming to challenge us given that they even won their last game. However, since we are at home and on top of the table, we cannot afford to lose the opportunity of the three points.”

“We shall put in everything possible to win the game. The boys are in good shape, the mood and character is also high, so we expect to win tomorrow.”

Midfielder Ibrahim Mugulusi said:

”Everyone knows Bright Stars is a stubborn team and very difficult to beat but according to the homework we have done with the coaches, we are very prepared and eager to finish the job. We don’t want to bottle up, we need to win and maintain our position at the top.”

Head to Head

P22 W5 D7 L10

The Eastern Giants have faced Bright Stars on 22 occasions since 2013, producing five wins for BUL and ten victories for Bright Stars, with the other seven ending in draws.

Last four meetings

March 22, 2022

Bright Stars 2(3)-2(4) BUL FC (Uganda Cup)

November 29, 2022

Bright Stars 2-0 BUL FC

April 29, 2023

BUL FC 2-2 Bright Stars

September 15, 2023

Bright Stars 0-1 BUL FC

Match Facts

• BUL have won five games and drawn two, amassing 17 points from a possible 21 in seven home matches.
• The Eastern Giants are also unbeaten in ten home matches – stretching back to April last year. They have recorded five wins and five draws along the streak.
• Out of the seven clean sheets they have managed this term, four have come at FUFA technical centre – against KCCA FC, Maroons, URA and Busoga United.
• At home, BUL has scored ten goals and conceded only three, and this was against Kitara, NEC and Mbarara City.
• It is only one defeat for BUL in their past nine matches, failing to score in only the 0-0 draw against KCCA.
• Altogether, they have lost two games in 16 matches at the present but all the defeats were away from home – the 2-0 defeat at UPDF in November 2023 and the 2-1 loss at Gaddafi FC last month.
• This fixture has produced 41 goals since 2013, with the Eastern Giants netting 18 times.
• The ties involving the sides have produced at least a goal except on three occasions – the barren draws of 2014, March 2016 and December 2021.
• But in the previous ten home matches against Bright Stars, the Eastern Giants registered only two victories over their visitors – (3-0 in April 2015 and 2-0 in March 2017), losing and drawing four in equal shares.
• Bright Stars is however among the sides yet to win an away match this season as they have drawn four and lost three of their seven away games, gathering four points from a possible 21. They have also scored only five goals and conceded eleven across the matches.
• Their winless streak on the road now stands at 11 games, with their last away league victory coming in mid-April last year against Onduparaka.
• Nonetheless, they have won three of their immediate last five games, drawing and losing one apiece – with the defeat coming against Kitara.
• But they have kept just three clean sheets in 16 games – against Maroons, NEC and Wakiso Giants.

Match Coverage

The game is live on TV but for the best live experience, all fans should flock to FUFA technical centre, they can alternatively follow the action through our social media channels below – with full text coverage during the game, followed by a match report.
Twitter: @bulfc1
Facebook: Bul Football Club – Jinja
Instagram: bulfc
YouTube: BUL FC TV

Friday February 2, 2024

Uganda Premier League

KCCA FC Vs BUL FC

MTN Omondi Stadium

Kick-off: 6pm

Uganda premier league football resumes after nearly a month break.  Our second round fixtures get underway on Friday with BUL visiting a resurgent KCCA FC at Lugogo in a late kickoff (6pm).

BUL left the first round with 33 points and ultimately on top of the log as a result of ten wins, three draws and two defeats. Fatigue looked like had crept into the squad however as the first round wore on, with the team picking only one point from their last two games but the break came at perhaps the exact time coach Abbey Kikomeko and his men seemingly needed a rest.

They now resume the campaign in a more fine form with all their eyes set on scooping all three points from KCCA on Friday.

The hosts endured a difficult start to the season where they hit the base of the standings and even struggled from there for a while but they have become one of the most resolute teams, proving naysayers wrong by winning four of their last five games, although they remain in the 9^th place with 19 points despite the upturn in form.

The reverse fixture saw the Eastern Giants eke out a narrow 1-0 win over KCCA at FUFA technical centre, with Nicholas Mwere scoring the match winner.

This is going to be the 23^rd league clash between the sides since 2011.

Team News

Abbey Kikomeko almost has a full squad to choose from as Pascal Ngobi is the only player still on sidelines with an injury.

Winning matches in the second has been a big ask for BUL in the past seasons but Kikomeko said that now is the time to run over the jinx and also hurl the ill omen to the bin where it deserves to be.

“It is not going to be an easy game for us because KCCA bounced back from the poor run they had at the start of the first round but we are also determined, we want to keep ourselves on top of the table by getting all the three points from them,” he said.

“The boys are determined and in good shape, and with the training we have had, we shall get all the maximum points from Lugogo.”

“People always say that BUL performs poorly in the second round but that topic is not meant to last forever. As much as we are playing away from home, it may not be easy but this time we shall win.”

“It has not been a common thing here but with the kind of attitude and character we are putting in, we shall win very many games in the second round.”

Captain George Kasonko said;

‘This is my third season here and the talk of BUL not winning games in the second round has been loud enough but my view is that this un-fancied norm here has been hell bent on the character of the players in the previous seasons.”

“But this time we have much bigger aims than in the past times. This time we need the league title and the only way to achieve that is by having a strong character and winning games from the start of the second round.”

“We are well prepared; the boys are very excited and ready to do the job tomorrow. We want victory and this is what is on every player’s mind.”

Head to Head

P22 W5 D7 L10

It’s 22 league meetings between the two teams, resulting into five wins for BUL, ten for KCCA and seven draws.

Last four encounters

September 23, 2023

BUL FC 1-0 KCCA FC

May 16, 2023

KCCA FC 1-0 BUL FC

December 13, 2022

BUL FC 1-1 KCCA

April 20, 2022

BUL FC 1-1 KCCA

Match Facts

• From eight away matches, BUL has won five games, drawn one and lost two – picking up 16 points from a possible 24 on the road.
• In the recent times, BUL has lost only one game to KCCA, won one in September last year and drew 1-1 in April and December 2022 in the previous four meetings between the sides.
• The Eastern Giants won the reverse fixture but the last time BUL completed a double against the Kasasiro boys was in the 2015/16 season.
• Among the top ten teams on the table, BUL has won the biggest number of games so far (10) while KCCA has lost the highest number of matches (8) but the latter is among the division’s highest goal scorers with 26.
• After losing the first three home matches, KCCA has now won their last four home games on the bounce – beating Vipers, Gaddafi, Bright Stars and URA at Lugogo.
• They have also scored 15 goals in them and conceded just four in the process.

Match Officials

Ssali Mashood will take charge of the match from the center.  Mulindwa Hakim and Musisi Brianson will run the lines as the first and second assistant referees respectively. Tuge Tumusiime will be the fourth official while the referee assessor is Miiro Nsubuga Brian.

Match Coverage

The game action will be live on television. Alternatively, follow our social media channels for the text commentary from the off.

Twitter: @bulfc1

Facebook: Bul Football Club – Jinja

Instagram: bulfc

YouTube : BUL FC TV

Goalkeeper Tom Ikara has signed a new two year contract with BUL, keeping him at the club until at least June 2026.

Ikara joined the Eastern Giants in 2022 and his performances so far have been sheer impressive as he has kept six clean sheets in just 13 games of the first round of this current season.

Tom Ikara said;

“It has been a privilege to spend almost two years at this club and the chance to continue my career at BUL FC is a genuine honor. Since I arrived here, my career has taken a great path and my progress is clearly visible. Now my future is sorted, all I want is to help this team achieve and win trophies that we can win, together.”

“As one of the goalkeepers here, I surely want to repay the club for all of the care that they have shown me during the good times and the bad, and for all the trust they have in me, and that means playing well consistently and winning games for the team.”

“I truly believe that BUL FC can win whatever there is to win in this country and I am committed to continue working hard to see this becomes a reality.”

Coach Abbey Kikomeko said:

“I am delighted that Ikara has committed his future to the club. Not only this season but Ikara has over time proved to be among the best goalkeepers in the country and he is an important part of our plans as we look to take BUL to greater heights.”

“His outstanding qualities provide the perfect cornerstone to our defense as he represents everything you want in a goalkeeper.”

“As a player, he is very determined and hungry to achieve, so we are looking forward to working together to meet those ambitions.”

We can announce that midfielder Jerome Kirya has signed a two-year contract extension with BUL FC, committing himself to the Eastern Giants at least until July 2026.His running contract was due to expire in June this year.

“I am really pleased to have agreed and signed a new contract with BUL FC,” Kirya said.

“I was always sure I wanted to stay here for a long time and was also sure the club wanted me to stay.”

“Everything was peaceful, and now we can fully concentrate on what is already looking like a great season.”

BUL FC coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere said he was pleased to have tied down one of the team’s top players to a long deal.

“Kirya is without doubt a key part of BUL’s future,” he said.

“His performances since he joined the club clearly prove this.”

‘We always wanted him to sign, we agreed and now it all signed. We can now look forward to two more great years with him.”

Jerome Kirya joined the Eastern Giants in July 2021 and guided the club to a fourth place league finish for the first time in the 2021/2022 season, and also won the Uganda cup in that very campaign.

We are delighted to announce the signing of Amos Kirya from Gaddafi FC on a two year contract.

The flashy winger shone to fame with Jinja Municipal Council, then joined MYDA FC before transferring to the Soldier Boys two years ago. Kirya scored two goals for Gaddafi by the half way mark of this running season.

“Glory be to God who enabled me join BUL FC. I am joining this club because it’s ambitious and the best. Everyone wants to win and this is where I thought I can achieve that from,” Kirya said.

“I am a winger and expect to create and score as many goals as I can to keep the club at the top.”

Coach Abbey Kikomeko said;

“I have been monitoring him in the FUFA drum and he has been such a good player even in the league games he has played.”

“He has been in the league for about two seasons and I think his experience will help us in the second round.”

“I expect a lot from him because he is fast and good on the ball, and with the kind of the other players we have upfront and the kind of the game we play, he will give us more scoring opportunities in the final third and I believe we shall get more goals in the second round as compared to the first.”

Welcome to the Eastern Giants AMOS KIRYA

BUL football club is delighted to confirm the signing of midfielder Ibrahim Orit from Arua Hill. Orit has signed a two year contract with the Eastern Giants.

The 26 – year-old Uganda Cranes international contributed seven goals and two assists in the course of three seasons at Vipers, helping the club win four trophies – two Uganda premier league titles and two Uganda cups.

Orit was also a diligent servant of Mbarara City where he made 30 assists and scored eight goals in three years.

He has made about five appearances for the senior national team, scoring for the Uganda Cranes in the 5-2 defeat against Morocco in the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in January 2021.

He is a winger who often cuts in from the left but has at many times played on the right and off the main striker.

“BUL is a good club with big ambitions as they have been fighting for the title for the last three seasons,” Orit said after signing.

“Have a good collection of talent, and if we blend well with what I bring to the table, we shall win trophies.”

“As a winger, I will put in all I can and create opportunities for the strikers.”

Coach Abbey Kikomeko said;

“We were lacking an experienced midfielder; we only had Jerome Kirya who was overloaded in that he had to play almost all the games and looked like getting tired.”

“So, we needed to beef up our midfield department and Ibrahim Orit was the best choice for the task.”

“He has got the experience that we need having played in the topflight and for big teams before. I think he can give us a push in front and I believe we are in a better position for the title hunt come the second round.”

 

Orit began his career at Aloet primary school in Soroti before he was registered by fourth division club Odudwi FC in 2013.

After playing for them for one season, he joined Soroti Garage FC which transferred him to Junior Eagles in 2015.

His career kept on shaping well and in 2016, he was signed by North East regional league side Future Stars.

However, the defining moment in his career arrived in 2017 when he was scouted and signed by Mbarara City in the Uganda premier league.

After three good seasons with the Ankole Lions, he joined Vipers in 2020 before he signed for Arua Hill after the expiry of his contract with the venoms last year.

In September 2019, Orit got his first ever national team call up when he was summoned for the Uganda Cranes locally based team to play against West Nile select team in the regional tour, in Adjumani. Uganda Cranes won 3-0 with him scoring on the evening.

Speedy striker Musa Esenu has returned to BUL FC on a two year contract from Rayon Sport of Rwanda.

Esenu played for BUL for three years before leaving for the Rwandan club in January 2022.

As a key member of the team, he guided the Eastern Giants to the first ever Uganda cup final in which he also served as a makeshift goalkeeper.

Excited and grinning from ear to ear, Esenu said;

“I am so privileged to have this opportunity to return to the place I call home. I had offers elsewhere but I said no, I have to return home because I feel very happy when here. This is where I feel the sense of belonging and peace, and I have a couple of colleagues here.”

“BUL gave me the opportunity to play abroad yet I still had a contract but when I talked to them, they allowed me to move and showcase my talent which I surely did. So, that is another thing I considered because they were there for me, they cared for me and they supported me unconditionally.”

“Now I come back with a bag of experience because I was a winner in Rwanda. So the experience I got elsewhere will help me work hard, put in all the efforts and work hand in hand with the technical team, and I believe we shall achieve more.”

“I have been keenly following the club ever since I left and the performance over the years has been impressive. So with the colleagues I have found here, and with a collective effort from everyone at the club, I believe we shall be champions Insha Allah.”

Coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere said;

“I welcome Musa Esenu back home. He is one of the players I trained since senior one. I saw his potential when he was still young. Now that he is joining the big club BUL for the second time, he is most welcome.”

“He is one of the strikers that Uganda had some years back and I am certain he is coming back with goals.”

 “Surely if Esenu is in good conditions, he can score goals. I cannot say that he will score such and such a number of goals or 100 but as long as he scores for me and we take the league, that will be enough and it is what I am after.”

“And I think he has come to score not to waste time. He has comeback to prove that he is Musa Esenu.”

“Therefore, his presence is going to beef up our striking line that already has the likes of Alex Kitata and Gerald Ogweti, and I think we are going to have a better competition.”

Esenu scored 21 league goals for Rayon Sport, with his seven goals in the peace cup helping the club win the competition in October last year.

He has previously played for Soana (now Tooro United), KCCA FC, Vipers SC and Busoga United in Uganda.

Welcome back home SIMBA!!

BUL FC can announce that three players – Samuel Kayongo Ssekamatte, Richard Ayiko and Joshua Okiror have agreed to end ties with the club on mutual grounds.
Richard Ayiko was one of the standout performers for BUL when we finished fourth in the league for the very first time and also crowned winners of the Uganda cup in the 2021/22 season.
Forward Samuel Ssekamatte has been with the Eastern Giants since January last year but has decided to seek new pastures elsewhere.
We would like therefore to wish all three the very best of luck for the future, and in the case of Richard Ayiko and Samuel Ssekamatte, we thank them for their efforts with the Eastern Giants. Good Luck!

Fredrick Ngalo has completed a permanent transfer to BUL FC from Busoga United, signing a two year contract with the Eastern Giants.

The right back cum central defender has been a regular in the Uganda premier league, and already boasts significant experience in top flight competitions where he has featured for Busoga United for the past two and a half seasons.

Ngalo is an assertive defender in the air but equally comfortable with the ball at his talented nimble feet, capable of playing short passes out from the back or switching play with accurate long diagonals. His admirable skills on the ball and blistering speed are key attributes and he has experience in a back four, back three, at the right back and the right wing back.

“Every player admires to be part of BUL FC. The team is organized, ambitious with good objectives, the coaches are top notch and the working environment is sheer super fine,” Ngalo said after putting pen to paper.

“As a player who wants to further my playing career and who wants to become a great player, this is the best ground and team that I thought and believed I should be party to reach the heights I want to reach.”

“Therefore I am excited because of this huge opportunity presented to join the biggest team in Uganda, and I am happy to be part of the BUL FC family.”

“I have found BUL on top and that means I must work hard to see that the colleagues and I maintain it there or even push it higher to achieve the club’s ambitions.”

 “And as a defender, I have come to do my job, and that is defending well. For any team to win the league title it should first be able to win its games and that for many times depends on how we defenders play. So, I will defend well to see that we win our matches.”

Coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere said;

“Looking at my defense line, I had problems at the right back. Hillary Onek is there but once he gets injured, we get challenges in filling up the gap. So we looked around and identified Ngalo Fredrick at Busoga United.”

“When you look at his structure, his abilities, pace and everything, I think he can help us beef our defense line. Ngalo also has the ability of creating goals, and I think when given chance to play, he will create for us chances and that is why we have brought him.”

Ngalo began shaping his career around 2016, featuring in the Jinja district football leagues – fourth and the fifth division with Walukuba West before going to Edgars FC in 2018. During his four-year stint with the Kampala side, he was chanced to play in the Kampala FA third division which put him in a fit state for the high profile teams and competitions.

His conspicuous excellent performances in the regional league caught the eye of coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere who was then at the helm of Busoga United, thus transferring to the Uganda premier league side midway of 2021, and has been a constant figure there since then.

Ngalo, Welcom to the Eastern Giants.