Thomas Ochungo has today become an Eastern Giant with the left back signing a two-year contract.
Ochungo posing with head coach Abbey Bogere
The roving fullback joins us from Gaddafi FC, the team that brought him to the limelight.
Ochungo is one of the most promising fullbacks in the Uganda premier league with alot of potential.
He is a product of the FUFA juniors league having featured for Jinja Municipal Hippos in the first edition of the competition before his stellar performances earned him promotion to the senior side in 2017.
Ochungo first joined Gaddafi FC in 2020 when they were still in the Eastern regional league and guided them to the big league and then to the topflight, before he switched his allegiance to Busoga United in 2022.
Ochungo penning down at BUL
He re-united with the Soldier boys in 2023, scoring two goals and recording one assist last season.
BUL FC’s opening game of the second round against KCCA ended 0-0 with both sides somehow failing to find the back of the net on Friday.
This meant BUL stretched their lead at the summit to 34 points from 16 rounds of play.
The Eastern Giants may however feel undone by three injuries that savaged the team as early as the 10th minute.
Martin Aprem was the first casualty as he was forced off ten minutes in, paving way for Amos Kirya to make his debut .
As if that was not enough, Douglas Muganga also got injured and unable to continue with play ten minutes to the break. Coach Abbey Kikomeko turned to his bench and picked Ibrahim Mugulusi to take charge of the midfield affairs at Lugogo.
Then the team would be hit more as Jerome Kirya also felt unwell and was withdrawn before the restart, with Ibrahim Kazindula taking up his place in the middle of the park.
Left back Nicholas Mwere in action
Both sides occasionally threatened and enjoyed brief spells of dominance but neither could find an all important break through.
Against the run of play, KCCA got the first offensive moment with Muhammad Shaban heading wide nonetheless before Tom Ikara saved Emmanuel Loki’s effort midway the first half.
The second half also failed to ignite and became a bit scrappy. Lawrence Tezikya latched on a rebound in the box following a well swung in corner by Ibrahim Mugulusi however his shot was miles away from the goal posts.
In the closing moments, the hosts crafted an opportunity when Joao Gabriel made a darting run and passed into the area, Katenga was somehow late and the ball went out begging.
BUL will now return to FUFA technical for the match against Bright Stars on Wednesday next week.
Starting XI:
Tom Ikara (GK), Hillary Onek, Nicholas Mwere, Walter Ochora, Ronald Otti, Douglas Muganga (Ibrahim Mugulusi 35′), George Kasonko, Jerome Kirya (Ibrahim Kazindula 45′), Martin Aprem (Amos Kirya 10′), Lawrence Tezikya (Gerald Ogweti 80′), Alex Kitata.
Unused Substitutes:
Joel Mutakubwa, Benon Tahomera, Emmanuel Obua, Reagan Kalyowa, Joel Madondo.
