Category: Interviews

BUL received three red cards in an eventful and mischievous game on Tuesday but came back with a point following a show of resilience and defiance against Express. It is now 25 points for the Eastern Giants who continue to swing their legs from the top of the table after ten matches.

Defensive stalwarts – Benon Tahomera and Walter Ochora, and assistant coach Simeon Masaba all saw red in the space of eleven minutes at the rain soaked and soggy Wankulukuku. The trio were dismissed by professional referee Ssemeere Asaduh in the second half.

The game was delayed by twenty minutes and did not kick off at 4pm prompt as scheduled due to the heavy down pour in Kampala.

But when it began, BUL immediately went on the front foot and drew the first blood as a result of a free kick near the area. Nicholas Mwere was able to poke the ball through the legs of the wall seven minutes in. Goalkeeper Abdul Kimera had a hand on his effort but it was too weak to stop the ball from finding the back of the net.

BUL sustained the pressure, and came close to scoring a second midway the first half. Alex Kitata was just unlucky to rattle the underside of the bar from close range off an inviting cross from Jerome Kirya.

Express however managed to briefly get some breathing space and used the chance to fly in a long ball into the visitors’ box as the game progressed. It was initially cleared but not far, Mwere reacted swiftly to arrest the danger but was adjudged to have fouled Wasswa in the process and the referee gave a penalty to the hosts on the stroke of halftime.

Isaac Wagoina kept his cool and calmly curled the ball low and beyond Tom Ikara’s reach to force the game level into the break.

With the Eastern Giants in complete control after the restart, the game was thrown into shambles when Benon Tahomera was brandished a second yellow card and then sent off for a not intentional miscellaneous touch on Timothy Senfuma three minutes off the hour mark.

BUL’s rearguard stood firm but they suffered another blow when Walter Ochora was also given his marching orders for a second booking, leaving the team with nine men on the pitch. Coach Masaba followed suit on 74 minutes.

Despite holding two players advantage, the red eagles remained feather weight as they failed to beat a makeshift defense and Ikara in goal. Instead it was Gerald Ogweti who almost won it all for Kikomeko’s men with fourteen minutes left to play.

He left his marker floored and stung the gloves of Kimera with a scorcher but Mbazira cleared their lines before the striker arrived for the spills.

BUL will host NEC in their next league action on 10^th December at FUFA technical centre in Njeru.

Starting XI:

Tom Ikara(GK), Hillary Onek, Nicholas Mwere, Walter Ochora, Benon Tahomera,George Kasonko, Douglas Muganga, Jerome Kirya, Shafiq Kwikiriza (Gerald Ogweti 45’), Alex Kitata (Emmanuel Obua), Martin Aprem (Lawrence Tezikya 58’)

Unused substitutes:

John Okuruti(GK),Edrine Opaala, Allan Kigundu, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Vicent Zziwa, Richard Ayiko, Mathew Odong, Reagan Kalyowa, Samuel Ssekamatte.

Tuesday 5^th December 2023

Uganda Premier League

Express FC Vs BUL FC

Wankulukuku

Kickoff: 4pm

The Eastern Giants are on the road again this Tuesday for a second away match in succession, making the trip to face Express FC at Mutesa II stadium – Wankulukuku in an intriguing Uganda premier league encounter.

BUL FC is coming into this soon after an exciting 3-0 away win over Wakiso Giants.

A second half double from Martin Aprem and another strike from Alex Kitata sealed BUL’s victory last Friday and stretched our grip at the top.

At present, we sit pretty well at the top of the pile with 24 points after nine games.

Express lie in 8^th position, seven places and 12 points behind the Eastern Giants. They fell to a 2-1 defeat at Mehta sports stadium last time out against URA.

Now they come up against Abbey Kikomeko’s men who are apparently unforgiving and taking no prisoners.

But clashes between the sides are never easy, with the immediate last ending in a 2-1 triumph for the Red Eagles in April at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.

Tuesday presents the 22^nd meeting between the two teams in all competitions.

Team News

Midfielder Ibrahim Kazindula missed the Wakiso Giants trip and will continue to sit out even this one due to suspension. Fellow midfielder Pascal Ngobi is also out because of an injury while Joel Madondo is still continuing with rehabilitation.

Forward Lawrence Tezikya has fully recovered from Malaria, and he will be in contention with the rest of the squad for a place against Express.

Coach Abbey Kikomeko spoke about the encounter with optimism but warned that it might be a tough and challenging match.

“Express beat us last season home and away, and we are finding them this time when they are wounded after losing their last game against URA,” he said.

“So, this is going to be a tough game but we are prepared, the boys are in a high gear and ready for the game.”

“Even though Express is at home, we shall put in whatever is needed to get the maximum points from Wankulukuku.”

Striker Samuel Kayongo Ssekamatte said;

“We are not looking at the results we had against Express last season. What we are focusing on is how we are going to approach this game.”

“There is so much at stake but we as players agreed to take every game at a time. With the training we have had in preparation for this match, we are going for maximum points.”

Head to Head

P21 W8 D5 L8

This fixture has provided us with 21 meetings in all competitions, producing eight BUL FC wins, eight Express FC victories and five draws.

Last four meetings

April 08, 2023

BUL FC 1-2 Express

November 9, 2022

Express 1-0 BUL

May 7, 2022

Express 2-1 BUL

October 26, 2021

BUL FC 0-1 Express

Match Facts

• BUL FC’s 24 points are the most in the division having won eight games and lost one in nine matches.
• During the run, BUL have kept five clean sheets.
• They are also the most inform side in rival territory, with their four wins in five trips producing 12 points.
• The Eastern Giants have also scored eight goals and conceded four on the road.
• But in their last six visits to Express, BUL have won one game and scored two goals only.
• Akin to the above, they have won three league games only in nine trips to the Red Eagles since 2012, drawn two and lost four.
• Their last league win away at Express was seven years ago when the Eastern Giants won 1-0 in mid-September of 2016.
• It’s also four years since BUL last beat their hosts in a league action – the 1-0 victory in August of 2019 courtesy of Deogracious Ojok’s first half strike in Njeru.
• But they have lost one game only this season.
• Express to this day have won and drawn three games apiece, and lost two in eight matches.
• They have kept four clean sheets in the process.
• At Wankulukuku, the Red Eagles have won, drawn and lost one in equal shares.
• They have conceded one goal and kept two clean sheets in three home matches.
• James Odoch’s men have won the past five league games against BUL.
• They have also won three of their last four home games against the Eastern Giants.
• They have however lost their last two games – against Maroons (1-0) and URA FC (2-1).

Match Officials

The referee will be Ssemere Asaduh. He will be assisted by Okudra Emmanuel and Zziwa Charles as the assistant referee number one and two. The fourth official is Kavuma Vicent.

Match Coverage

The game will be live on TV but our social media channels will as well provide a good account of the action with full text coverage during the game, followed by a match report and match highlights.

Twitter: @bulfc1

Facebook: Bul Football Club – Jinja

Instagram: bulfc

You Tube: BUL FC TV

A second half master class meant BUL FC came away from Wakiso with all the three points. It was all about Martin Aprem and Alex Kitata after the break as they combined to give the Eastern Giants a precious 3-0 win over Wakiso Giants on Saturday.

The hosts were fairly competitive in the first half given the fact that they restricted BUL to only one chance worthy of note. Shafiq Kwikiriza justified the coach’s decision to hand him his first start this season when he went through on goal only that his effort whistled slightly wide.

The Eastern Giants could come close again twenty minutes later but a corner from Jerome Kirya was not met by any yellow shirt in the box as both sides went into the break level.

However, the resistance was broken by two quick fire goals at the start of the second half.

Aprem opened the scoring before Alex Kitata doubled the advantage to take his goal count to seven; both goals came in the 47^th minute.

BUL then put the result to bed twelve minutes to the final whistle when Aprem completed his brace.

This was our eighth win in nine games and the result buttressed our position at the top. We now have 24 points, seven ahead of second placed Vipers who will be in action on Sunday.

We play again on Tuesday next week against Express at Wankulukuku.

Starting XI

Tom Ikara(GK), Hillary Onek, Nicholas Mwere, Walter Ochora, Benon Tahomera, George Kasonko, Douglas Muganga, Jerome Kirya (Lawrence Tezikya 63’), Alex Kitata (Samuel Ssekamatte 83’), Shafik Kwikiriza (Vicent Zziwa 83’), Martin Aprem (Gerald Ogweti 89’)

Unused substitutes:

John Okurut (GK), Richard Ayiko, Allan Kigundu, Ibrahim Mugulusi,Edrine Opaala, Mathew Odong Tayo, Emmanuel Obua, Reagan Kalyowa.

Friday 1^st December 2023
Uganda Premier League
Wakiso Giants Vs BUL FC
Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium
Kick-off: 4PM

Following a return to winning ways four days ago, BUL FC is excited to begin the new month with a trip to Kabaka Kyabaggu to face Wakiso Giants in the battle of the giants on Friday.

Sunday’s win over Kitara re-ignited the ebullience around the team and fortified BUL’s place at the summit of the table – now counting 21 points, four better of Vipers SC in second place.

We boast with an impressive record of seven wins in eight rounds of play, and the glitch in our last appearance on the road notwithstanding, coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere and his men are longing to shoot on sight in Wakiso.

The Purple Sharks are precisely two points high up the red area following their recent two draws against Express and NEC. Prior to that, they had lost three games on the trot.

They come into the fixture on the back of a one all draw at NEC. Their last home game was also a draw, and a tally of six points is all they can show for their one loss, three draws and four defeats in eight matches.

Similarly, the last encounter between BUL and Wakiso Giants also ended in a 0-0 stalemate in May. This will be their ninth meeting.

Team News

Only Pascal Ngobi is out with an injury. Meaning the coach has almost a full squad at his disposal to choose from.

Speaking ahead of the match, Coach James Magala said the players have been filed to the level required to win the game.

“We have prepared our boys technically well. Everyone is good, everyone is okay and everyone is in good conditions.”

“We are going to Wakiso to perform well. But we have to do things at the right time to see that we comeback with the win.”

Captain George Kasonko said;

“Away matches often have many different things.  We don’t expect the game to be a walk in the park, and as players, we have to double our efforts.”

“If it means dying a little, we have to do so in double digits. If it means doing right things at the right time, we have to follow the same script of doubling our efforts. So, we have to prepare in time and do the things we want to do in time. We need to win tomorrow’s game.”

Head to Head

P8 W3 D2 L3

It is three wins for each side, and they have drawn two times in eight matches since 2019.

Last four encounters

January 04, 2022

Wakiso Giants 4-3 BUL FC

February 12, 2022

BUL FC 2-0 Wakiso Giants

December 02, 2022

BUL FC 2-1 Wakiso Giants

May 01, 2023

Wakiso Giants 0-0 BUL FC

Match Facts

• BUL have won seven games and lost one, with 21 points collected in eight matches.
• Along the run, Kikomeko’s side has scored 12 goals, conceded five, and kept four clean sheets.
• It is also three wins and a loss for the Eastern Giants in four away matches, representing nine (9) points from a possible 12 on the road.
• In their four trips, they have scored five goals, leaked four, and kept one clean sheet (1-0 win over Bright Stars in mid-September).
• BUL’s away loss was against UPDF FC (2-0) at the beginning of this month and it is the only time they have failed to score this term.
• Out of the four visits to the Purple Sharks, BUL have won one game, drawn one and lost two. The 1-0 victory came in September 2019 courtesy of Ibrahim Kiyemba’s own goal on the stroke of halftime.
• The Eastern Giants are however unbeaten in their previous three meetings with Wakiso Giants, actually they won two of them; 2-0 in February and 2-1 in December of 2022, while they drew 0-0 in May 2023.
• The goalless draws of January 2020 and May 2023 stand to this day as the only games between the sides not to have a goal scored.
• This fixture has also produced 17 goals altogether, with BUL scoring nine times against the Purple Sharks.
• It has also produced a winner in six games of the eight they have played.
• Wakiso Giants have won one game, drawn three and lost four of their eight matches, tallying six points from a possible 25.
• They are yet to win a game at home. They lost 3-0 at Maroons, 3-1 against Kitara and drew against Bright Stars (1-1) and Express (0-0).
• Their goal return at Kabaka Kyabaggu stands at two goals, and seven conceded.
• After losing three consecutive games, Wakiso Giants are unbeaten in their past two matches – drew against Express (0-0) and NEC (1-1).
• All that said however, they have failed to score in two of their four home games – at Maroons (they lost 3-0) and Express.

Match Officials

Kavuma Vicent has been selected to take charge of this clash as the center referee. He will be assisted by Ijaga Muamiru and Magoola Ashraf. Kimayo Stephen will be the fourth official while Tomusange Ali will serve as the referee assessor.

Match Coverage

It’s not a TV game but the proceedings will be shared across all our social media channels throughout.

Twitter: @bulfc1

Facebook: BUL Football Club – Jinja

Instagram: bulfc1

You Tube: BUL FC TV

Ten men BUL withstood a late Kitara charge to return to winning ways at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru

A first half brace from Alex Kitata inspired the Eastern Giants to a 2-1 win on a rainy evening, Sunday.

Midfielder Ibrahim Kazindula was sent off midway the second half before Denis Omedi pulled one back in the 80th minute for the visitors, but it wasn’t enough to deny BUL of all three points – a result that consolidates us at the top of the table with 21 points, four better of Vipers SC in second place.

It was a fantastic showing from the Eastern Giants— they were excellent throughout; alert in defense, artistic in the middle and instinctive in the attack.

They started the game on the front foot, creating the first chance of the match just three minutes in.

Jerome Kirya crafted his way through the middle and picked out Lawrence Tezikya whose ferocious low effort from inside the box rattled the foot of the post.

Four minutes later, the Eastern Giants opened the scoring. Nicholas Mwere drove forward, on reaching the edge of the box, he noticed Kitata’s run and placed the ball there that the forward fired home from close range. Chrispus Kusiima in Kitara’s goal had no chance on the shot – it went up rising and hit the roof of the net.

In a blink of an eye, another chance came BUL’s way.Martin Aprem ignited a counter on the right, wove from his half and left his markers wailing before shooting. The goalkeeper spilled but Kitata was just seconds late as Kusiima sprung up quickly to palm the ball into corner.

His save left him needing medical attention after sustaining an injury in the process and he was thus replaced by Farouk Yawe.

On the 19th minute mark, BUL doubled the advantage through Kitata, again. Mwere ghosted from the left side to the goal mouth and sent a life threatening thunderous shot that the substitute goalkeeper placed in Kitata’s way. The forward made no mistake but to score his sixth goal of the season with untold calm.

After the interval, the game was punctuated and halted by a heavy downpour for almost an hour with just two minutes played in the second half but play finally resumed when it was safe to do so.

BUL remained the better side even after the restart but this time they were unlucky as the various chances that they created were not converted.

The visitors made four changes in response and immediately started to cause some sort of havoc for us.

By the 75^th minute, the Eastern Giants were  down to ten men after Ibrahim Kazindula was shown a red card for a second bookable offense when he fouled Solomon Okwalinga .

Kitara laid camp in our half as a result. Jude Ssemugabi ran the lines on the left as Denis Omedi tried to force things through the middle but our backline comprising of Benon Tahomera, Walter Ochora and Hillary Onek policed well at most of the times and quelled their intentions.

However, the Royals at last found a breakthrough when Omedi capitalized on a goal melee in our box to pull one back for his side in the 80th minute.

But BUL held on from this point to secure an excellent win despite being a man less.

This was our seventh win this season in eight matches. The next outing will be against Wakiso Giants on 1st December 2023 at Kabaka Kyabagu stadium in Wakiso.

Starting XI:

Tom Ikara, Hillary Onek, Nicholas Mwere, Walter Ochora, Benon Tahomera, Douglas Muganga, Ibrahim Kazindula, Jerome Kirya, Martin Aprem, Lawrence Tezikya, Alex Kitata.

Substitutes:

John Okurut, Gerald Ogweti, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Shafiq Kwikiriza, Edrine Opaala, Mathew Odongo, Samuel Sekamatte, Emmanuel Obua, Vincent Zziwa, Richard Ayiko.

Forward Alex Kitata has been named the Pilsner Uganda premier league’s player of the month for September/October during the awarding function held at Kati Kati restaurant in Kampala on Wednesday evening.

BUL FC’s talisman receives the award for the first time in his career having scored three goals in four games which kept the Eastern Giants joint top on the table with 15 points then.

Kitata scored one goal in the 2-1 win at Arua Hill and then delivered a brace in the 3-0 sweet win over Maroons.

He was also on target as BUL beat URA FC 1-0 at the end of the month of October but this came after the nominations

“I am excited that I have won the player of the month award. It is a big achievement and it motivates me to continue working hard,” Kitata said after his victory was announced.

“Winning this award creates a bigger challenge – maintaining the standards, being on top of the game all the time but I will try so that I can win more.”

“Although they have awarded only me, I know we have won it as a team – right from the management, coaches, players and fans.  It has been a collective effort basing on how we have been working and playing on the pitch.”

To win the award, Kitata had to beat competition from Kitara’s Denis Omedi and Fred Amaku of Maroons.

He becomes the third BUL FC player to win the prize since the award was initiated, following in the footsteps of former Eastern Giants Simon Peter Oketch and Richard Wandyaka who won it in March and October 2022 respectively.

Alex Kitata’s solitary goal and Tom Ikara’s goalkeeping heroics secured a 1-0 win for BUL FC over URA FC at FUFA Technical Centre on Tuesday.

Kitata roofed in his fourth goal of the season and Ikara denied Emmanuel Oketch, Joseph Ssemujju, Joshua Lubwama, Sharif Kimbowa and Viane Ssekajugo to secure all three points for Abbey Kikomeko’s side and ultimately move to the summit of the league table with 18 points from six games.

It was BUL’s fourth league win over URA since November 2011 and sixth on the bounce this season.

In what was a keenly contested encounter in Njeru, the tax collectors had chances to open the scoring but their lackluster performance infront of the goal and Ikara’s strong gloves were their greatest undoing.

Wide man Emmanuel Oketch came close under five minutes when he beat his marker to the ball in our half, advanced and unleashed a rocket that would be a goal on any day but our net minder was equal to the task as he parried the ball into corner.

Ikara was forced into another sensational save to keep us level, punching away a ferocious effort from Joseph Ssemujju who had found himself in space near the area and his attempt to convert the rebound was just too high.

BUL’s first real sight of goal came midway the first half, as George Kasonko demonstrated his attacking threat when he picked out Jerome Kirya whose low drive was well held by Denis Otim in URA’s goal.

By now, the Eastern Giants had started creating openings and on 35 minutes, Kirya floated an inviting free kick into the box and it bounced off the back of Reagan Kalyowa after losing sight of the ball.

Moments later, an electrifying move involving Kasonko, Nicholas Mwere and Martin Aprem resulted in Kirya releasing a low shot but it was off target and the chance went begging.

At the other end, the visitors could and perhaps should have opened the scores following a break through the middle by Hassan Kalega. Upon receiving the pass from the midfielder, Ssemujju agonizingly again failed to beat the goalkeeper.

Two successive corners went BUL’s way on the stroke of half time but the opponents were tight enough to keep the scores even heading into the break.

BUL began the second half with much urgency and soon after the restart; the Eastern Giants went ahead on 52 minutes.

Walter Ochora’s initial pass was blocked by Najib Fesali, Fesali’s clearance then bounced off the chest of a retreating Lubwama and back into their zone, beating Hudu Mulikyi before reaching Kitata who calmly tucked in the ball with his right foot to us into the lead.

The visitors however came close to equalizing just minutes later. Lubwama delivered a dangerous free kick but it was tipped over the bar by Tom Ikara.

At this moment, URA was everywhere, creating chances but with no one to convert. Ssemujju wasted yet again another chance. Ivan Ahimbisibwe missed from close range off an assist from substitute Moses Aliro following a counter, while Kimbowa also could not turn Kalega’s flicked header into the net as the end of the game was approaching.

Goalkeeper Denis Otim denied Mwere with a strong arm before Kitata hit the woodwork for BUL.

The game’s last chance fell to Vianne Ssekajugo in the additional five minutes but Ikara was alert enough to keep the clean sheet, his fourth in five matches.

BUL’s next league match will be against UPDF FC on 9^th November in Bombo.

Starting XI:

Tom Ikara (GK), Hillary Onek, Nicholas Mwere, Ronald Otti, Walter Ochora, Pascal Ngobi, George Kasonko, Jerome Kirya, Martin Aprem, Reagan Kalyowa, Alex Kitata.

Substitutes;

Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Samuel Ssekamatte, Lawrence Tezikya,  Gerald Ogweti, Ibrahim Kazindula, Mathew Odong, Emmanuel Obua, Edrine Opaala, Douglas Muganga.