Goalkeeper Tom Ikara has joined BUL Football Club on a two – year contract.
Ikara Tom donning BUL FC jersey.
Ikara joins from Police, and he will add strength to our goalkeeping area.
On signing his contract, he said he was excited to be part of the Eastern Giants and promised excellent performances and clean sheets.
The gloves man rose through BB Soda academy and Blacksmith Football Club in the lower divisions afore to joining Busoga United where he spent more than five years, featuring for the club since their regional league days, and through to the Uganda premier league, and has also represented the Uganda Cranes at different levels.
He won the best goalkeeper award of the Fufa big league (2015/16) after making 13 clean sheets, guiding Busoga to promotion to the UPL, as well as winning the Big league title in his first season in the competition.
Ikara made another 13 clean sheets on his first time in the topflight (2016/17) despite Busoga facing the threat of relegation having spent the season largely in the red zone.
His fine showings in goal secured him a move to KCCA FC in January of 2018 and won a couple of honors there, including the league title, before he was transferred to Mbarara City on loan in 2019.
BUL Football Club can confirm that Emmanuel Obua has joined the club on a two year contract.
Emmanuel Obua with manager Alex
Obua scored four goals for Kyetume last season as the club won promotion back to the Uganda Premier League.
“I am excited and grateful to join BUL. I expect to win trophies here and help the team as well to move as high as possible,” he said.
Obua excited after joining BUL FC
Manager Alex Isabirye has full hope in the new left footed player, and is delighted to have him at the club
“Obua is good and one of the best young players currently. He did well in big league last season and I am happy to have him here, I know he will help the team,” Isabirye said.
The left full back featured for Blacks Power FC for three seasons before he signed for the slaughters in 2019.
BUL Football Club can confirm that Reagan Kalyowa’s contract has been extended by two years.
Youngster Reagan Kalyowa in action
The winger’s current deal was due to expire at the end of the coming season but an extension means the youngster’s stay at the Eastern Giants continues up to 2025 at the very least.
“First of all, I am overjoyed by this good gesture from the club,” he said.
“In my career, BUL is the only team that I have played for, beginning in the junior team and then through to the senior side.”
“My career has progressed steadily from here and I can only expect more development with this club – continuous shaping of my career and putting it to the unmatchable higher levels.“
“Extension of my contract is good news to the ears and to everyone. Now I can do all I can so that we move forward together and win more trophies as well.“
Reagan Kalyowa against Vipers
Since his move to BUL, Kalyowa helped the Junior team secure the Juniors league in 2019, as well as playing a key part as the senior side got the better of Vipers SC in Masindi to win the Uganda cup last season.
We can proudly announce the signing of a well built and rock solid center back – Ronald Otti Ociti.
Manager Alex posing with Otti
Ociti joins the club on a two – year contract from Mbarara City, making him our second signing in this transfer period.
“I am very excited and grateful to have joined one of the best clubs in the country,” he said.
“The technical team has shown great interest in me, and I now want to repay their trust by driving BUL forward so that we can perform better and achieve more.”
He has been the heartbeat of the Ankole Lions defense, featuring regularly for the Mbarara outfit for three and half years after he signed for them in the January of 2019 from lower division side – Nangabo Green Valley FC.
Martin Aprem has committed his long-term future to BUL FC by extending his contract to keep him at the club until 2025
Youngster Martin Aprem
Aprem’s deal was due to expire in June 2023, but it has now been stretched by further two years.
His trickery, pace and acceleration were hallmarks of his outstanding attacking play last term, and he is understandably delighted with the news.
“I need to build my career to big heights and I believe that can only be done from here at BUL,” he said.
“I came here as a child, with my career shaping through the junior team until I was promoted to the senior side, and without doubt, I am progressing and developing into the footballer I want to be.”
“Recently we won the Uganda cup and I want to win more trophies with BUL.”
Martin Aprem in action
“And now with the renewal of my contract, I am absolutely excited that the team decided to extend my stay at the club.”
The forward is one of the key players at the Eastern Giants, and he played a key part in our fantastic Uganda cup title winning campaign, as well as finishing fourth in the league.
Ex- International Simeon Masaba is now part of our coaching staff.
Manager Alex unveiling coach Simeon
He signed a two – year contract as an assistant coach to join Alex Isabirye’s strong backroom staff.
“BUL suits my coaching career. It’s a wonderful club at the moment, and it has been doing very well – both in the league and Uganda cup. So, I come to join efforts to see that the team achieves its goals both locally and internationally,” he said after signing.
Masaba is a name that needs no introduction in the circles of Ugandan football. Manager Alex Isabirye holds full confidence in the new man saying his football knowledge will provide the necessary drive in the quest to build a bold team going forward.
“We are building a team that will be dominant in the future, therefore, we need individuals who still have a big future, and Masaba is one of them.“
“Despite being in the morning of his coaching career, he has a lot of football knowledge – he had a stellar playing career, has coached some good teams and has achieved a lot in football.”
“Therefore, I believe he will share his vast knowledge and experience with us as we build a strong team.”
Manager Alex welcoming Simeon to BUL FC
The former Uganda Cranes player brings more than six years of coaching experience to our technical wing.
Masaba called time on his playing career in 2014 before getting into coaching at his former club – URA.
In 2017, he joined Onduparaka as an assistant coach afore to serving the West Nile side as a caretaker boss twice.
He left for UPDF in 2018 before signing for Wakiso Giants for the 2019/2020 season.
Masaba signing his contract at BUL FC
Masaba would return to URA in October 2020 as an assistant coach, previous to getting the head coach role there on the interim.
Simon Peter Oketch has signed a new two – year contract at BUL Football Club that commits him to the Eastern Giants until at least the June of 2025.
Simon Peter Oketch renewing his stay at BUL FC
The forward was gallant as BUL finished fourth in the league for the first time in our history, notching up 13 goals across all competitions – including a memorable priceless header in our big Uganda cup victory against Vipers SC as BUL won the cup in Masindi.
Oketch was also named the best “midfielder” in Uganda cup as the Eastern Giants claimed a clean sweep of individual honours in the competition and also made it to the best X1 of startimes Uganda premier league 2021/2022
Simon Peter Oketch celebrating with Karim after scoring in finals of stanbic Uganda cup.
On signing his new contract, Oketch said:
“There is no reason why I should leave for another team. BUL is now a big club in the country, and I can achieve everything with this club.”
“I have grown up from here and I want to continue my growth with this team so that the club and I benefit mutually.”
“BUL is set to achieve more and more success in the near future, and I want to be part of those success stories and history. So, extending my contract with the team was a no brainer.”
Simon Peter in action
The youngster first played for the senior team in the 2019/20 season after excelling with our Junior team, a side he helped to win the Juniors league in 2019.
Workaholic forward – Frank Kalanda is now an Eastern Giant. He signed a two – year renewable contract to play for the club through to at least June 2024.
Frank Kalanda signing his contract at BUL FC offices.
He has become our first signing in this transfer window.
“Being part of the biggest clubs in Busoga and Uganda at large is exciting,” he said after putting pen to paper.
“I am so thankful for this opportunity given by the club and the coach – Alex Isabirye; and I am willing to work with the entire technical team, management, teammates, and fans altogether.”
Frank sharing some moments with the Manager
“Putting up good performances is all I target in my quest to score lots of goals that will help the team achieve more success.”
Kalanda shone to fame for his brace against Tanzania in a 3-1 win as Uganda Cranes qualified for CHAN 2014 in South Africa.
Frank Kalanda posing with BUL FC jersey after signing his contract.
The forward has in his career featured for Express (two stints), URA, Tooro United, Police, as well as AS Kigali of Rwanda.
The Eastern Giants beat Vipers SC 3-1 to win the Stanbic Uganda Cup title on Sunday, our first in the club’s 15 years of history.
Karim Ndugwa ran away with a brace, while Simon Peter Oketch scored the other goal for BUL FC while Halid Lwaliwa netted the consolation for Vipers.
BUL FC players celebrating after winning Uganda cup
After a fantastic start to the game, Ndugwa delivered BUL a deserved lead when he noded home past Denis Kiggundu in Vipers goal on 28 minutes.
Alex Isabirye’s side continued to dominate the contest as Hillary Onek and Reagan Kalyowa tormented the two cup winners from the wide areas.
The Eastern Giants threw everything at Roberto Oliveira’s side and deservedly again, doubled their advantage three minutes to the break through Oketch.
The move began with a clearance from our half, Walter Ochora put up a sprinter’s run and offloaded to Onek whose cross into the box was met by a spirited flying Oketch who made no mistake to guide the ball to the net with a diving header.
BUL FC starting line up against Vipers
Vipers tried to turn the game around but found BUL’s rearguard, manned by Ochora, Douglas Muganga and Richard Ayiko imporus.
BUL’s Emmanuel Kalyowa collected Bobosi Byaruhanga’s free kick with ease in the sixteenth minute, with the venoms rattling the bar ten minutes later before Cesar Manzoki’s header from close range sailed over the bar.
Just eight minutes after the break, Oketch turned provider when he whipped in a teasing cross into box and Ndugwa hit it at the first time to put us 3-0 up.
Halid Lwaliwa pulled one back for his side in the 71st minute, and the venoms worked out a series of attacks going forward but the Eastern Giants held their nerves to maintain the two goal cushion.
Karim Ndugwa and Simon Peter Oketch celebrating
The Eastern Giants also made a clean sweep of all the awards in this competition. Emmanuel Kalyowa was voted the best goalkeeper, Simon Oketch as the best midfielder, Walter Ochora as the best defender while Karim Ndugwa walked away with the top scorers award after scoring nine unmatched goals in six matches.
This was a repeat of last year’s final in which Vipers came out 8-1 winners at the Fufa Technical Center.
BUL will now represent Uganda in the CAF Confederations cup 2022/23.
Starting XI:
Emmanuel Kalyowa, Walter Ochora, Richard Ayiko, Douglas Muganga, Pascal Ngobi, Jerome Kirya, Ibrahim Kazindula, Hillary Onek, Reagan Kalyowa, Simon Peter Oketch, Karim Ndugwa.
Substitutes:
John Okuruti, Umar Mukobe, Ibrahim Nsimbe, Martin Aprem, Richard Wandyaka, Owen Mukisa, Ivan Wani
All eyes are on King George Stadium this weekend and BUL football club face Vipers SC in the Stanbic Uganda Cup final on Sunday afternoon in Masindi.
BUL aim to end the season with a trophy, and potentially qualify for the confederations cup, while the Venoms seek to add to their league triumph.
Both sides met at the same stage last season, and Vipers breezed 8-1 past BUL side at Fufa Technical Center in a match that saw forward Musa Esenu replace Sanon Mulabi between the sticks as a makeshift goalkeeper.
But unlike last year, there isn’t really an underdog view to take with this fixture, with BUL and Vipers representing the most improved teams in Ugandan football.
This will be the third meeting of the season between BUL and Vipers, with the other two league matches ending in a draw and victory for the Venoms.
Both BUL FC and Booma fc players and officials praying after the game
Vipers have won two Uganda cups in their history (2016 & 2021), however, they have lost three finals to URA, SCVU and KCCA in 2012, 2013 and 2018 respectively.
BUL are in their second successive final, and victory will round off a stellar campaign for the club in which they finished fourth in the league for the first time in their history.
Road to Masindi
This season, the Eastern Giants drove past Bundimasoli United, Busoga United, Bright Stars, SC Villa and Booma.
Round of 64
Bundimasoli – BUL FC.
Our 2021/22 Uganda cup journey begun with a trip to Bundibugyo to take on fourth division team Bundimasoli United. But the would be hosts failed to show up for the match and the competitions committee ruled that they lose the match by forfeiture.
Round of 32
Busoga United 0-3 BUL FC
BUL FC players applauding fans after beating Bright Stars at 16
Alex Isabirye’s side made the short journey across Jinja city to Kakindu stadium where we ran out 3-0 winners.
Karim Ndugwa opened the scoring and added a second before Walter Ochora wrapped up the win with a spectacular header late in the game.
Round of 16
Bright Stars 2(3)-2(4) BUL FC
BUL faced yet another Uganda premier league team, visiting Bright Stars at Kavumba recreational grounds. Penalty shoot outs were required to set the two teams apart following a two all draw in normal time. Richard Wandyaka, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Ibrahim Kazindula and Aggrey Madoi converted their kicks from the penalty mark for BUL FC, while Ibrahim Kasinde, Nelson Senkatuka and Meddie Kyeyune scored theirs as well for the hosts. Jerome Kirya skied his kick, with Yasin Mugume and Odong Jonathan also shooting wide for their respective teams.
Joseph Janjali deflected in Derrick Were’s goal kick, and Senkatuka then made a late equaliser in response to Karim Ndugwa’s brace in the regular 90 minutes.
Quarter finals
SC Villa 1-2 BUL FC (AET)
Ibrahim Nsimbe was the hero for BUL when he scored five minutes from the end of extra time to send the Eastern Giants to the semi finals. Karim Ndugwa had put BUL ahead but his strike was cancelled out by Saddam Masereka to force the game to extra time.
Semi finals
BUL 6-1 Booma ( on aggregate)
Isabirye’s side progressed to the final with a comprehensive 6-1 win over Booma, over two legs. Karim Ndugwa netted the lone strike in the second leg of the semi final at Kyabazinga stadium. But that was just an icing on the cake, goals from Simon Peter Oketch (2), Wandyaka, Kazindula and Ndugwa in the first meeting had given the Eastern Giants a commanding lead of 5-1.
Vipers SC’s journey.
The venoms began their cup defense by dispatching Kigezi Home Boys 1-0 in the round of 64, they knocked out Kalongo United 3-1 at the round of 32 before running 3-0 winners over Kataka in the round of 16.
Roberto Oliveira’s outfit saw off Wakiso Giants 3-1 in the quarter-finals, and in the semi finals, Vipers rolled over Mbarara city with a health 6-1 win on aggregate.
Paul Mucureezi and Milton Karisa secured a 2-1 victory for the venoms, with Seiri Arigumaho scoring a consolation for the Ankole Lions in the first leg.
Mbarara City would be thrashed 4-0 in the second leg in Wakiso, thanks to goals from Sentamu, Karisa, Bobosi Byaruhanga, and an own goal from Ronald Otti.
BUL FC players in training
Team News
There is no much injury concerns at BUL besides that of Lawrence Kasadha, meaning Alex Isabirye has almost a full sqaud to select from.
Assistant coach – Dan Kabale was in full confidence during his interaction with the club media, saying the ultimate aim is to win the cup.
“This is the trophy we have so much tried our best to play for and we want to win it.”
“When you look at the team that played last season when we lost 8-1, it’s not the same team that is going to play this time.”
“This time the best team that BUL has ever had will be assembled.”
“Generally, we don’t have much injuries – Kasadha Lawrence is the only player set to miss this encounter but the rest of the players are ready to play and expect the best from the boys.”
Fredson Gwoto echoed the tactician’s opinion, and further stated they are ready to hit the ground more than before.
“We were not all that prepared when we lost last year’s final, but this time, we are well equipped and expecting positive results.”
Head to head
Both sides have met 23 times across all competitions since 2011, with BUL FC winning two and Vipers SC 15 matches. Six games have been draws.
Match officials
Oloya William will be in the center for this clash, Okello Dick and Masembe Issa to deputise him as the first and second assistant referee. Nabadda Shamirah will be the fourth official while Katabiira David Davis will serve as the their assessor.
Match Coverage
The game will be live on FUFA TV but fans can follow our text updates of the game as well via our social media platforms.
