BUL FC has completed the signing of Joel Madondo from Gaddafi FC.
The forward has signed a one year renewable contract with the Eastern Giants.
Coach Abbey Kikomeko (left) with new signing Joel Madondo (right)
Madondo arrives at BUL with a lot of experience in the Uganda premier league after featuring for Busoga United and Gaddafi where he played over two stints. He scored one goal last season.
Following extraordinally performances and excellent goal poaching prowess at Busoga United, Madondo moved to Wydad Casablanca in January 2020 but mutually left the Morocco giants seven months later to return home, before he had another short trade across the borders with Tanzania second division club Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) in January 2022.
He guided Uganda Cranes to the CECAFA senior challenge cup title in 2019 when he scored an important goal in the 3-0 win over Eritrea at Lugogo.
He is also a Copa Coca Cola winner with Jinja SS in 2017.
Striker Gerald Ogweti has joined us from Lugazi FC on a three year contract.
The potent net buster has been a significant figure at the big league side; He scored 18 goals as they finished fifth in their maiden season in the second tier.
Gerald Ogweti is now an Eastern Giant
Ogweti was the 2021/22 Buganda regional league top scorer with sixteen goals when they gained promotion to the big league.
He began his football career at Friends soccer club around 2012, prior to joining TY Lugazi soccer club in 2014. In 2019, he played for Lugazi Municipal FC afore securing a move to Lugazi FC the following year.
Physical, agile, and always hungry for goals – his experience will be of remarkable value to the club.
Everyone at BUL FC welcomes Ogweti to the Eastern Giants.
BUL Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Abbey Kikomeko Bogere as the club’s new head coach for the next three years.
Kikomeko joins the Eastern Giants from Mbale Heroes whom he led to FUFA big league promotion by beating Bukedea Central last season.
Abbey Kikomeko (left) and Club chairman Ronald Barente (right) at the club headquarters in Jinja
“We have taken Mr. Abbey Kikomeko on to be our new head coach for the senior team for the next three years,” Chairman Ronald Barente said during the unveiling function at the club headquarters in Masese, Jinja City.
“He is a very experienced coach, who has been in the Uganda Premier league and other competitions, and I am sure with the experience he has, he will take us to greater heights where we want to be.”
“He is a youthful coach known for grooming great talents in Jinja and the whole of Eastern region. With the things we want to achieve at this club, we thought wisely and zeroed on him as the best candidate for the job.”
New coach: Abbey Kikomeko during the unveiling on Tuesday
A highly experienced top level tactcian who managed in the topflight league for more than five years, Kikomeko won Busoga United the FUFA big league title in the 2015/16 season before leading them to a fourth place finish in top division three years later.
“I am excited to be at BUL FC. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the country. I know I am now carrying a big load, so, I am not here for fun – I have come here to perform,” coach Kikomeko roared.
“I am interested in young boys and promoting players from within.”
“With the help of the technical team and the staff, I think we shall achieve.”
It finished goalless between Maroons and BUL FC at the prisons grounds, with the point guiding the Eastern Giants to a seventh place finish in the league as the curtain fell on the 2022-23 season on Saturday.
Coming into the game on the back of an impressive show against Vipers in the previous outing, BUL put up a spirited fight against the prison warders in Luzira. They dominated the proceedings throughout the game although they couldn’t find a winner.
Amends were made to the side on the eve of the second half, with the coach introducing Hillary Onek and Richard Okello before Richard Wandyaka, Innocent Rwothomio and Ivan Wani also came in.
After the alterations, BUL found the right gear – pitching camp in Maroons area for large spells of the game but the hosts remained watertight in the back.
From the 28 matches played this season, BUL won eight, drew 12 and lost eight in the process to tally 36 points.
Starting XI
Tom Ikara (GK), Douglas Muganga (Hillary Onek 46′), Ronald Otti, Richard Ayiko, George Kasonko (Richard Okello 46′),Pascal Ngobi, Jerome Kirya, Reagan Kalyowa (Innocent Rwothomio 78′), Emmanuel Obua (Ivan Wani 87′), Martin Aprem (Richard Wandyaka 62′), Samuel Ssekamatte.
BUL FC battled to a point at Vipers SC in our ultimate home game of the season, with goalkeeper Tom Ikara earning the man of the match accolade following his classic showings between the sticks.
Outstanding: Goalkeeper Tom Ikara was named man of the match
After a goalless first half, BUL took the lead on sixty five minutes through Samuel Ssekamatte but Karim Watambala’s injury time penalty ensured both teams took a point from the game at FUFA technical centre.
Following a lively start, the game settled down somewhat and despite plenty of competitiveness from both sides, chances were limited at either end in the early exchanges of the first half.
The visitors had a glorious chance to open the scores with 15 minutes on the clock. Yunus Sentamu got in behind the BUL backline as a result of Douglas Muganga missing the ball, and after facing the goal, his low shot played out into the gloves of Tom Ikara.
They went close again when Ashraf Mandela whipped in a teasing cross a few moments later, but his effort too was claimed by the goalkeeper.
At the other end, BUL was in ascendancy mid way the half, as Ssekamatte’s bursting run in the middle led to Reagan Kalyowa shooting into a defender for a corner.
Our good spell continued with our second chance in two minutes, but like the first, there was no yellow shirt to connect with Ssekamatte’s ground effort across the face of the goal.
Ikara was then forced to clear his line using his feet following a goal melee from inside the box as the away side tried to re-establish the foothold on the game.
Ssekamatte gave Mukundane a run for his money throughout the game
Vipers’ goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora however needed to be at full stretch to brilliantly push away Ssekamatte’s free kick that left him requiring medical attention, before Sentamu aimed his corner direct at Ikara on the stroke of halftime.
The Eastern Giants had a dream start to the second half though when, just two minutes in, Ssekamatte underused an open chance with his shot sailing over the bar.
And with five minutes after the hour, the forward made amends, gliding home the opener off a Reagan Kalyowa cross, giving Mutumbora no chance as the ball nestled into the bottom left corner.
Reagan Kalyowa swung in the cross that Ssekamatte headed in for the opener
BUL had to ride some spells of pressure from the away side onwards, but Simeon Masaba’s men produced a resolute defensive display until a goal deep into added time from the penalty spot from Abdul Karim Watambala earned the visitors a point.
It’s now 35 points for the Eastern Giants who currently sit in the eighth place on the table. Our season will end with a trip to Maroons on Saturday.
Starting XI:
Tom Ikara (GK), Douglas Muganga, Richard Ayiko, Ronald Otti, George Kasonko, Pascal Ngobi, Jerome Kirya (Richard Wandyaka 76′), Reagan Kalyowa, Emmanuel Obua, Martin Aprem
(Innocent Rwothomio 90+4′), Samuel Sekamatte (Ibrah Nsimbe 82′)
Unused substitutes:
Emmanuel Kalyowa(GK), Aggrey Madoi, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Ivan Wani.
BUL’s four game unbeaten run has ended with a 1-0 defeat at KCCA FC on Tuesday in a Uganda premier league clash at Philip Omondi stadium.
The only goal of the game for the hosts came on thirty five minutes from the spot.
Allan Okello picked himself up after being fouled in the box to slot past Tom Ikara to gift the Kasasiro boys the lead which they zealously held on untill the end.
It was a day to forget for BUL as second half substitute – Anthony Mayanja left the pitch on a stretcher, thirty four minutes after coming on and was replaced by Richard Wandyaka.
Barely four minutes after coming on, Emmanuel Obua missed the chance to equalize for the Eastern Giants when all through and clear at goal with his shot traveling wide.
Goalkeeper Ikara was then called to action by Charles Lwanga from a free kick following a foul from Douglas Muganga late in the game.
Consequently, the result has stretched BUL’s winless run to twelve league games, dropping to ninth in the table standings and on 34 points with two matches remaining.
Vipers SC are the visitors on Tuesday next week at FUFA technical centre before we end the season with a trip to Maroons four days later.
Starting XI:
Tom Ikara (GK), Douglas Muganga, Walter Ochora, George Kasonko, Ibrahim Kazindula (Ibrahim Mugulusi 63′),Jerome Kirya (Emmanuel Obua 85′), Hillary Onek, Reagan Kalyowa (Anthony Mayanja 46′ Richard Wandyaka 79′), Ibrahim Nsimbe (Innocent Rwothomio 63′), Martin Aprem, Ronald Otti.
On Tuesday, BUL will travel to the capital to face title chasing KCCA in the penultimate away game of the Uganda premier league campaign.
The Eastern Giants come into the showdown on the back of a 0-0 draw at Arua Hill, while the hosts also fired blanks away to Express two days ago.
In the reverse fixture, BUL were denied the victory at FUFA technical centre by Julius Poloto’s late strike which cancelled out Vicent Zziwa’s first half goal for the Eastern Giants as the sides settled for a 1-1 draw in December.
They now meet at a moment where there is still everything to play for on both sides.
BUL is nolonger in the title discussion and still not in the battle for survival but a run of 11 games without a win is worth not a celebration.
It’s arguably a concern that Coach Simeon Masaba will try to arrest in a blink of an eye from this moment, and jostle to pick the first league win before the season ends.
For KCCA, it’s 46 points for them, same as leaders Vipers and third placed SC Villa after 25 rounds and all are left with three games to fight for the crown.
Meaning they need to pick up every point there is to pick to remain in the already tight title race that is even more hotter than ever.
Team News
Aggrey Madoi will not recover in time for this clash, the coach confirmed but there still remains a wide pool of players to select from.
With just hours to the game, the Eastern Giants are brimming in confidence, saying that the time to win again has come and that the stakes are high that we shall.
“We have prepared the boys very well to see that we can have a good game and possibly win it,” coach Simeon Masaba said.
“The boys are in good spirits and they have been training well.”
“We haven’t won any matches in the second round but we still have three matches to go.”
“So we can still win starting tomorrow. It’s possible and I believe we are going to win.”
“We expect to win this game,” Vicent Zziwa said.
“Basing on the training sessions we have got, every player is in good shape and set to play.”
“We haven’t won a game since the second round began but our heads are still up. We expect and believe we shall win tomorrow’s game.”
Head to Head
P20 W4 D7 L9
It’s 20 meetings between the two teams, resulting into four wins for BUL, nine for KCCA and seven draws.
Last four encounters
December 13, 2022
BUL FC 1-1 KCCA
April 20, 2022
BUL FC 1-1 KCCA
December 01, 2021
KCCA FC 3-1 BUL FC
April 02, 2021
KCCA FC 3-0 BUL FC
Match Facts
BUL have collected eleven points from 12 away matches as a result of two wins and five draws as well as losses, scoring eleven goals and conceding twelve in the process.
Although the Eastern Giants have gone 11 games without a win, they are unbeaten in their previous four matches – keeping clean sheets in two.
They are also unbeaten in their past two meetings with KCCA, drawing 1-1 in April and December 2022.
However, they last beat KCCA in early February 2021 in a 2-1 victory at Kyabazinga stadium.
KCCA have won eight and drawn four games out of their 12 home matches this campaign, the second best home record in the division.
On that course, they have scored 27 goals and leaked 13, earning 28 points in return.
They are also unbeaten in their previous four meetings with BUL, winning and drawing two games apiece.
But the Kasasiro boys have however not won in their past three outings, drawing two and losing one.
Match Coverage
The game action will be live on television. Alternatively, follow our social media channels for the text commentary from the off.
BUL FC and Arua Hill played out a stalemate in a Uganda premier league action at FUFA technical centre.
Despite much probing for an opening by BUL, the affair was unable to produce a winner as the game ended 0-0 by the sound of the final whistle, the first goalless draw between the teams.
The Eastern Giants had the better of the play and chances in the first half, but a breakthrough was hard to come by.
Much of BUL’s attacking play was directed down the right as Douglas Muganga, Hillary Onek and Martin Aprem combined to good effect, and a cross from Onek threatened to create the breakthrough on thirteen minutes, but Ibrahim Nsimbe was just unable to get clean contact on the inviting cross.
There was then a chance for Jerome Kirya as he was picked up when near the edge of the area but his deflected effort was easily collected by goalkeeper Rogers Omedwa.
Fine margins went against Simeon Masaba’s men once more when Ibrahim Kazindula’s pass off the outside of his boot found Nsimbe before Omedwa came out live again.
After the break, Onek went the closest to breaking the deadlock on 50 minutes, meeting Reagan Kalyowa’s lofted pass into the box with his header missing inches past the post.
There were efforts from distance by Jerome Kirya, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Ibrahim Kazindula and Anthony Mayanja which sailed over the bar while Nsimbe saw another two chances evaporate.
Arua Hill’s sole realistic chance in the game arrived nineteen minutes to the final whistle through substitute Jacob Kamwesiga who weaved into the box before sending his shot out.
A goal ultimately proved elusive for both sides, and the teams were forced to settle for a point each.
BUL, who remained 8th on the log with 34 points, will hit the road next week for a face off with KCCA FC on Tuesday.
BUL FC XI:
Saidi Keni (GK),Douglas Muganga,Ronald Otti, Walter Ochora, George Kasonko, Jerome Kirya, Ibrahim Kazindula (Ibrahim Mugulusi 61′), Reagan Kalyowa (Anthony Mayanja 61′), Hillary Onek, Martin Aprem, Ibra Nsimbe (Vicent Zziwa 76′)
Unused substitutes:
Emmanuel Kalyowa, Emmanuel Obua, Pascal Ngobi, Paul Sekulima.
After eight days of preparations, the Eastern Giants return to action and will hope to return to winning ways following a run of three back to back draws.
Simeon Masaba’s men look to seek a strong finish to the season, with just four games to go, which starts this Wednesday at Arua Hill.
They can be found in position seven on the table with a count of 33 points, four behind their visitors who sit in fourth, and they come into this one after a 0-0 draw at Wakiso Giants, and they are searching for their first win in eleven league matches.
Arua Hill make the trip to FUFA technical centre without victory in any of the three previous meetings between the two teams – with the last fixture coming in December where a goal from Ibrahim Nsimbe was enough to see out a 1-0 win for BUL at Barifa grounds.
But their most recent league outing was a big win, thrashing Express 4-1 in Arua.
Team News
BUL will have to work around the absence of midfielder Emmanuel Kalyowa for this clash due to Malaria, and to this day is the only injured player with the rest of the squad available for selection and ready to compete.
Coach Simeon Masaba said;
“We have prepared our team well and we are ready to play and see that we can get good results against Arua Hill.”
“Some positives were picked from our previous match against Wakiso Giants where we kept a clean sheet. We didn’t score but did not concede either.”
“So we are going to capitalize on that to see that we defend very well and as well score.”
Midfielder Ibrahim Mugulusi said;
“No win for us in the second round so far but we are looking to getting one since we are playing at home.”
“The confidence is high, the goal scoring challenge has been rectified and very soon we shall score in the coming matches. Therefore, fans should come and give us the support.”
Head to Head
P3 W2 D1 L0
The sides have met three times, and BUL have won two and drawn one game.
Last three encounters
December 28, 2021
BUL FC 4-0 Arua Hill
February 16, 2022
Arua Hill 2-2 BUL FC
December 06, 2023
Arua Hill 0-1 BUL FC
Match Facts
It’s 22 points for BUL from a possible 36, as a result of six wins and four draws in twelve home matches.
Since the start of the season, they have lost two games only at home – against URA FC (0-1) and Express (1-2) in March and April respectively.
The games have seen the Eastern Giants score 19 goals at FUFA technical centre with nine leaked.
Still out of the 12 home matches, Masaba’s men have kept five clean sheets
They have scored in almost all but two home matches – against URA (0-1) and Gaddafi FC (0-0).
BUL’s last league victory was however in mid-December against Maroons, and it is now 139 days without a win.
In their past ten matches, they have fetched six draws and four losses but they are unbeaten in their immediate last three games.
They have scored seven goals of the nine involved in their previous three contests with the Arua side.
Arua Hill have registered six losses in their 12 trips this season, winning three only with the other three also ending in draws.
But the Leopards have lost once in their latest six matches where they have recorded three triumphs and two stalemates.
In their last five, goals on their side have failed to come in one only – when they lost 1-0 to Vipers in April.
They have also had a return of six goals in their last two outings – against Onduparaka (2-2) and 4-0 against Express.
Match Coverage
It is live on television; nevertheless, one can follow the action through our social media channels for the minute to minute updates about the game.
BUL’s unbeaten run at home in the league has been stopped by URA in a Uganda premier game at FUFA technical center in Njeru.
The Eastern Giants have been nearly invisible – winning eleven games out of fifteen (15) league matches at home before today, with the run stretching back to February 2022 when we lost to Vipers SC at Kyabazinga stadium.
But Ibrahim Dada scored the only goal in the game for the tax collectors as BUL lost on Saturday infront of our own fans to break the record.
Striker Ibrahim Nsimbe sending a life threatening thunderbolt from range
It was arguably a game of two halves and with high intensity which saw the first half ending with the teams going in the break on level terms.
Despite enjoying plenty of possession in the early moments, URA failed to find a way past BUL goalkeeper Saidi Keni.
Their first chance arrived when Derrick Ndahiro appeared to have been tripped by Hillary Onek near the box with the referee awarding them a free kick which Joshua Lubwama managed to float into the area but Alfred Leku was flagged offside before he could pose any threat.
Midway the half, another chance fell to Leku when he beat Douglas Muganga to the ball after a fierce battle on the right side but an extra heavy touch by him was comfortably claimed by Keni before the lanky forward failed to anticipate James Begisa’s low cross moments later.
It took the Eastern Giants until the 18th minute to threaten URA’s goal area as Nafian Alionzi was forced to come off his line to parry away Onek’s cross, while Ibrahim Nsimbe’s yellow card on the stroke of half time was the only other highlight for Isabirye’s side.
BUL however emerged from the break fully charged, dominating proceedings while creating chances but it looked like they had forgotten their scoring boots in the dressing room.
Emmanuel Kalyowa running the show in the midfield as URA’s Saidi Kyeyune looks on in awe
After coach Alex Isabirye called the changes, introducing Emmanuel Kalyowa, Richard Okello, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Innocent Rwothomio and Paul Ssekulima, BUL contained the visitors in their own half for large spells of the second half only that hard luck befell them in the final minutes.
Okello and Kalyowa gave the team rythm while on the front foot as Onek and Obua pulled the strings from the wide areas.
It was not too long until Ibrahim Nsimbe thought he had finally put BUL infront on 51 minutes with a low drive from inside the box off Obua’s delivery but his effort was cancelled for offside.
The striker then hit the side net twice midway the second half while BUL’s penalty claims when the forward was floored inside the area disinterested the referee.
Youthful wing back Hillary Onek takes Saidi Kyeyune on a tour around the turf
Ibrahim Kazindula rattled the bar from range as the Eastern Giants continued to look for a break through which was never to come.
URA meanwhile looked dangerous on the counter with the first warning coming when Keni was forced to spill infront of Saidi Kyeyune but the goalkeeper sprung up swiftly to reclaim the ball from the midfielder’s boots.
The tax collectors eventually bleached BUL’s defense five minutes from time through Ibrahim Dada who scored in an empty net as Keni was beaten following a fast break from Sam Timbe’s men.
This was the first defeat at home for Isabirye’s team in a period of twelve months since February last year.
Focus now turn to the Uganda cup replay with SC Villa the coming weekend at FUFA technical center.
BUL’s starting XI against URA
Starting XI:
Saidi Keni (GK), Douglas Muganga, Walter Ochora, Richard Ayiko, Ibrahim Kazindula, Jerome Kirya, Hillary Onek, Richard Wandyaka, Emmanuel Obua, Ibrahim Nsimbe, Samuel Ssekamatte.
Tom Ikara (GK), Paul Ssekulima, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Emmanuel Kalyowa, Innocent Rwothomio, Richard Okello, Shafik Kwikiriza.
