Najib Fesali is a BUL FC player after completing a move from URA FC and signing a two-year contract with the Eastern Giants.
One of the most highly rated young players in the Uganda premier league, Fesali arrives to further bolster Abbey Kikomeko’s defence for the 2024/25 season.
On completing his signing, Fesali said;
“Jinja is my home. I grew up from here and grew up seeing BUL FC play, so, it was a no brainer joining the club.”
“I know the coach here and he knows me as well, and I know that he believes in me. I also know the players at BUL FC, and I think that will make things easier for me here.”
“BUL FC loves winning, I also love winning, I have the winning mentality and I can work under pressure because I have been working for teams that want to win trophies. So, this move will help me achieve my personal goals as well as those for the club.”
“So, I am going to do my duties to the best of my abilities, I will do my defensive roles well and also score goals at the other end to bring the trophy. I think this will put me in the spotlight that can help me go back to the national team.”
“I want to tell you that you’re going to see the best of me, you’re going to enjoy football with me. You’re going to have so much fun and I promise that this coming season, you’re going to see few goals conceded at BUL FC and you’re going to have so much happiness.”
Head coach Abbey Kikomeko said;
“Najib is a young player and a borne of Jinja, and is one of the players I have grown up with as a coach.”
“But I didn’t just pick him up for the sake of signing more players. I looked at his abilities and the quality he brings to the team.”
“Najib is a good young defender, he has the height, he is fast and has the commanding power and can as well score. So we looked at that and we agreed to bring him.”
Fesali is already a Uganda Cranes international with six caps having played for the national team since 2021.
He began his career at Jinja Secondary School in 2013, and was a key pillar as they won the 2017 Copa Coca-Cola Schools Championship in Masaka.
In 2020, he joined URA FC who loaned him to Gaddafi FC in 2022. He returned to URA at the start of the 2023/24 season, finishing the campaign with four goals and one assist.
He also played for Kyagwe in the 2019 edition of the Buganda Masaza Cup.
BUL FC is delighted to confirm the appointment of Ibrahim Kirya as an assistant coach on a two-year contract and begins his new role immediately.
BUL’s now well stocked technical team is headed by Abbey Kikomeko Bogere. Simeon Masaba and James Magala are the other two deputies Kirya will have to work with at the Eastern Giants.
Ibrahim Kirya (right) apprehends his signature on the contract as CEO Joseph Mutaka looks on.
Joseph Mutaka, BUL FC’s chief executive officer said on Wednesday that;
“We welcome Ibrahim Kirya to BUL FC. We have chosen him from the very many coaches out there because we believe he has vast experience that he can add onto our technical team. He has been at SC Villa, URA and many other competitive teams in the league. So, if he brings such experience to our club, we think we can compete even more.”
Ibrahim Kirya said;
“I am a borne of this area and BUL is our home team, so, I have just comeback home to train my home team. And I am here to bring the glory days of Busoga back because since 1980, the region has not had a team win the league title.”
“Together with the head coach and other members of the technical team, we shall fight to see BUL FC wins the league very soon if not next season.”
Kirya joins the Eastern Giants from SC Villa where he served as the head of scouting last season. Before that appointment, Kirya had previously worked with the Jogoos as a trainer (in 2000) and head coach (2016) before he became their assistant coach in the 2022/23 season.
He also had spells at URA FC, Masavu, Lweza FC, Tooro United, and Wakiso Giants as their head coach.
Nicknamed Uchumi, Kirya has two Buganda Masaza Cup titles – with Gomba (2020) and Bulemeezi Ssaza (2023), and he was recently named by Buwekula as their technical director for the 2024 Masaza Cup edition.
Anthony Mayanja has extended his stay at BUL FC, with the midfielder signing a new one year contract that will keep him with the club until at least the end of the 2024/25 season.
The workaholic midfielder joined the Eastern Giants in July 2022 and had become an integral part of the team but sat out the whole of last season because of a niggling knee injury he sustained during BUL’s 1-0 defeat at KCCA FC in May 2023.
Mayanja is currently under rehabilitation and is expected to be fit before the start of next season.
Benon Tahomera has signed a one year contract extension with BUL FC. His previous deal had expired at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
The defender made twelve appearances in all competitions last season.
Tahomera said: “Two years ago, I signed for this amazing club, and I am thrilled to be extending my stay. I have grown immensely since coming to BUL, both as a person and as a player; I now know what is needed to play at a club like this.”
“We had some success last season, but we want much more. There’s a great opportunity to create something special here, and I’m going to give everything to be part of that.”
BUL FC are delighted to announce Ibrahim Mugulusi has signed a new two year contract with the club.
The 27-year-old nimble footed attacking midfielder committed his future to the Eastern Giants by penning the new deal on Friday morning following the expiry of his previous contract at the beginning of June.
He said: “Obviously I am very happy, so excited to keep playing for this team and hopefully I can stay at this fantastic club for many more years. I am actually very proud to sign a new contract with this club I call home.”
“It feels amazing. It’s something I have been dreaming of since the end of last season and something that I have been working hard for as well because this is where I feel I belong.”
Mugulusi arrived at BUL from Busoga United in August 2020 and was among the key pillars as the club won the Uganda Cup in 2021. His mastery in the middle of the park also helped the Eastern Giants to fourth and second place league spots finish in the 2020/21 and 2023/24 seasons respectively.
In total, Mugulusi played twenty (20) games last season– five of which came in the Uganda Cup. He had one goal in that knock-out competition, while he finished the Uganda premier league with two goals and five assists.
It ended all square in Mbarara City. This goalless draw leaves BUL FC in the second place on the table with 53 points, same as Vipers SC in third place but a point behind leaders SC Villa, with just one match left to end the season.
This means the Eastern Giants must win their last game against Busoga United on Saturday at FUFA technical centre in Njeru and pray that SC Villa fails to get maximum points against NEC if they are to win the title.
BUL’s best chance at Kakyeka stadium came in the first half but Ibrahim Orit flashed his header wide from close range in the 17th minute.
As the game progressed, Mbarara City missed three chances which may have changed the story. Henry Kitegenyi saw his effort wheel across the goal without any yellow shirt connecting, and then goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa fumbled with Henry Musisi’s free kick before Sadick Ssekyembe’s shot was deflected into the corner in the 19th minute.
BUL kept the defense line tight however in that even when Francis Odongo pounced in a strong header from inside the box, Walter Ochora was in the right place to clear the lines on the stroke of halftime.
The second half saw few chances and the teams settled for a point each.
BUL FC XI:
Joel Mutakubwa (GK), George Kasonko, Ronald Otti, Nicholas Mwere, Walter Ochora, Ibrahim Orit (Ibrahim Mugulusi 75’), Gerald Ogweti, Jeromy Kirya (Amos Kirya 64’), Pascal Ngobi (Alex Kitata 72’), Hillary Onek, Martin Aprem (Richard Okello 64’).
Unused substitutes:
Emmanuel Obua, Ibrahim Kazindula, Joel Madondo, Mathew Odongo, Tom Ikara (GK), Reagan Kalyowa, Shafik Kwikiriza, Benon Tahomera.
BUL FC to battle NEC at FUFA technical centre on Sunday afternoon for a place in the final of this year’s Stanbic Uganda Cup. It is the second meeting between the two teams in a space of five days but their third faceoff this season in all competitions.
The sides met in midweek where the Diehards won 1-0 at MTN Omondi Stadium in Kampala to halt BUL’s four game unbeaten run.
The result complicated BUL’s title charge as it pushed the Eastern Giants further down into the third position on the table. Abbey Kikomeko’s men will therefore seek a first leg advantage over the visitors and ultimately shoot for a place in the final.
Despite BUL’s second round performance in the league being a bit of a roll coaster, their showings in Uganda Cup have been arguably impressive to say the least. The Eastern Giants have already knocked out record winners Express and KCCA, while they also shown Kyambura Rasters and Simba FC the exit in the early stages of the competitions.
Winners of the 2021/22 edition, BUL will be making their fourth appearance at this stage but it is going to be just the seventh game for NEC in this competition.
But Hussein Mbalangu and his boys can sometimes be tricky and have already shown a big muscle in Uganda cup this campaign having won all their games in the 90 minutes and with just two goals conceded.
L-R: Hajji Swaibu Kitezaala, Mrs. Barbra Nyaruguru and Mr. Ronald Barente after signing the memorandum of understanding
BUL Football Club and Jinja City Queens have entered into a partnership for a period of two years with immediate effect from 25th April 2024.
The relationship will have BUL take on Jinja City Queens as its official women football team, with the latter retaining its brand identity but will have Fortune Butto, the main sponsor of BUL FC and the Eastern Giants’ logo embroidered infront of their shirts and sleeves respectively.
Going forward, the Eastern Giants will provide the Queens with financial support, training equipments, boots, and team jerseys.
The partnership will also see BUL provide technical expertise and knowledge exchange to Jinja City Queens’ technical team throughout the agreement.
BUL FC chairman – Ronald Barente, Chief executive officer – Joseph Mutaka, director of Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA) – Hajji Swaibu Kitezaala, Jinja Queens chairperson Barbra Nyaruguru and their chief executive officer sealed the deal at the BUL FC premises in Masese, Jinja City on Thursday.
While addressing the pressmen after the deal was signed, BUL FC chairman Ronald Barente revealed the reasons for choosing Jinja City Queens.
“We didn’t want to work with people who have already done it or have been there already. We always want to work with babies, raise them and nurture them into the people we want them to be in the future,” he said.
“Jinja City Queens is a very good project for us to work with. Even if they are in the region, the effort we are going to put in will make them produce waves in the country. Trust me on that.”
“We are going to provide finances; I may not disclose the amount but we are going to finance the team and also support in terms of coaching and media. We want to make Jinja City Queens a very big team in Ugandan football.”
“We have the capacity as BUL to start a women’s team and call it BUL FC Women but we chose to work with this team because it has a community set up, it appeals to the Jinja community and that is what we want. Having these players, as young as they are, playing and representing us as a company and as BUL FC, it is an honor for us.”
“And we believe through our corporate social responsibility, this is the right path that we had to take to support a team that is lower in rank because we have got suitors in Kampala, really big teams in the Women Super League. They came but we turned them down and went for the regional team because we want to associate with the people and the girl child in Jinja.”
“We have had discussions with the management of Jinja City Queens for a very long time and we discovered that these are the guys we should work with going forward because we now believe they have got the potential.”
“Another reason is that we are in love with Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA) as a school and we want to make this marriage official because frankly speaking, they have supported us.”
“If you look at our junior side, the squad that has been winning titles, it’s JIPRA that has been behind the team. Most of our children go to school at JIPRA and play their school football from there. Therefore, we thought it was time to thank JIPRA Management for the support they have given to our junior team by taking over responsibility for their women’s team.”
BUL FC chairman during the presser
Laying down CAF requirements in time just in case BUL qualifies for CAF competitions?
Mr. Ronald Barente explained that the partnership is premised on nothing but fortifying BUL’s relationship with JIPRA and the people of Jinja.
“We are not doing this because we may win something this season and go to CAF competitions. We started this journey long way back even before we knew that we may win something as a club.”
“The requirement of a women’s team just came recently and it is very easy for us to fulfill. We can just get one established team in Kampala, give them something like 20 million and front it as ours, and we go to CAF but we want to work with the guys at JIPRA and those with in the Jinja community.”
About the partnership, the director of JIPRA Hajji Swaibu Kitezaala said:
“We thank BUL for the support in terms of finance, training equipments, balls, playing boots and Jerseys, not only to Jinja City Queens, but also to the school boys’ team.”
“Football is quite expensive, costly and challenging but if we can get partners to work with, then it becomes easier and this will help a lot in promoting talent not only in the region where BUL is operating but the entire nation and even the whole world. We thank you so much.”
“We now look forward to working together with BUL FC, and for now, I want to congratulate the City Queens for working tirelessly to win this partnership. It is very important and I hope it is going to promote girls football in this region.”
Hajji Kitezaala
Mrs Barbra Nyaruguru, the chairperson of Jinja City Queens said:
“I want to thank the brains behind Jinja City Queens. I want to thank the girls because without them, we cannot have Jinja City Queens. You have played well but there is a lot to do. You should know that this is a serious project. I think now you are going to triple your efforts because BUL FC as a brand is very big. So, you have to meet the standards of BUL FC.”
“Thank you so much BUL FC for choosing us among the many, I must say we are very lucky to be chosen by BUL FC.We want to pledge and promise that we are going to work hard to make you proud.”
Chairperson of Jinja City Queens Mrs Nyaruguru appending her signature on the MOU
Jinja City Queens is owned by Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA) and currently plying trade in the Eastern regional league for women. The club is fourth on the table with 21 points.
Everyone at BUL FC welcomes Jinja City Queens aboard.
Pictorial:
Some of the Queens present
Even sports journalists were happy to witness the deal getting sealed
BUL FC have dropped to the third place following a 1-0 defeat at NEC FC on Wednesday night. Kelvin Barni Tah scored the solitary goal at the MTN Omondi Stadium for the hosts in the 54th minute to condemn BUL to their fifth loss of the season. Coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere was also sent off in the process.
The day began with the Eastern Giants second on the log but a victory for Kitara meant the Royals moved to the top spot and their ascendancy pushed BUL further down by a place. After 25 rounds, Abbey Kikomeko’s side apparently has 46 points, same as Vipers SC who still have a game in hand.
With the game locked at 0-0, Ibrahim Orit went close to putting BUL infront midway the first half but goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan stood tall to deny the forward.
Barni Tah then broke the deadlock nine minutes into second half to give NEC the lead.
BUL pushed for a leveler and created a couple of chances but couldn’t score to restore parity.
The two teams will again meet over the weekend for a Uganda Cup semifinal duel at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
Starting XI:
Tom Ikara (GK), Walter Ochora, Nicholas Mwere, Benon Tahomera (Joel Madondo 82’), Ronald Otti, George Kasonko (Martin Aprem 86’), Pascal Ngobi, Jerome Kirya, Reagan Kalyowa (Amos Kirya 82’), Alex Kitata, Ibrahim Orit.
Unused substitutes:
Joel Mutakubwa, Ibrahim Kazindula, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Emmanuel Obua, Lawrence Tezikya, John Okurut, Gerald Ogweti, Mathew Odong Tayo.
Wednesday 24th April 2024
Uganda Premier League
MTN Omondi Stadium
NEC FC Vs BUL FC
Kick-off: 7pm
BUL FC are back on the road this Wednesday, travelling to Kampala to face NEC FC at Lugogo in a 7pm kick-off.
The match is one of BUL’s final three away matches of the season and the Eastern Giants will be looking to extend the fantastic run of four games unbeaten, after Saturday’s nice show at Express.
The 2-0 victory over the Red Eagles the last time out meant that Abbey Kikomeko’s men reclaimed the top spot with 46 points, one better of Vipers SC in second place, and now they know a win on Wednesday would see them widen the gap and move them closure to the UPL dream.
NEC comes into the match on the back of a 2-0 defeat at URA and they sit in the fifth position with 40 points, so they will be pushing the Eastern Giants all the way for the three points.
The reverse fixture ended 1-1 at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, this clash will be the second between the sides. Team News
Douglas Muganga is still sidelined with an injury but the rest of the squad is available for selection.
In his pre match interview, coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere said the focus is on fortifying the top spot with a big point difference. However, he acknowledged the challenge NEC poses but he is set not take any prisoners going forward. “It was not easy playing NEC during the first leg in Njeru. They really disturbed us, but now that we are on top of the table, we are not going to spare any team,”he said. “And as we enter into the match against them tomorrow, we are going to do whatever is needed to get all the maximum points.” “They are however a very good team with experienced players and equally in the title race.” “But this is a very crucial game to us. We need to win and create a big gap, not of one, two, three or four points but a gap of about six to seven points.”
Goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa said; “The team is ready and the boys are in high spirit. NEC gave us a tough challenge in the first round but we are ready for them.” “This game is very vital and everyone knows there is no room for errors, but we want to take each game at a time and collect maximum points.”
Head to Head
P1 D1 L0
The sides have met once before and the game ended in a 1-1 draw Previous encounter December 10, 2023
BUL FC 1-1 NEC FC Match Facts
BUL is the best side on the road in the division having won five away games, drawn five and lost two – garnering 20 points from a possible 36. The Eastern Giants have also scored 14 goals and conceded 10 in their 12 away games.
But they have not won in their previous five away league matches – drawn four and lost one.
In those four outings, they have kept three clean sheets, scored and conceded one goal apiece.
NEC have won seven games at home, drawn two and lost three – picking 23 points from a possible 36. They have thus scored 19 goals and conceded 14 in 12 league outings at Lugogo.
The hosts have lost only one game in their past six UPL clashes at home, with the defeat coming at KCCA FC at the end of February.
Their twelve games have also produced six clean sheets.
They have failed to score in only three games at home – against Gaddafi FC, KCCA FC and Bright Stars.
Their tie against Bright Stars in December last year is the only game that has so far failed to produce a goal at Lugogo.
Match Coverage:
Although the game will not be televised, our social media channels will relay minute to minute text commentary during play time. A match report and highlights will follow shortly.
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