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Then the team would be hit more as Jerome Kirya also felt unwell and was withdrawn before the restart, with Ibrahim Kazindula taking up his place in the middle of the park.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.
BUL FC look to consolidate their grip at the top of the Uganda premier league on Thursday evening as they make the trip to Bombo military grounds to take on UPDF FC
Highly impressive early-season form sees the Eastern Giants boast with six wins in as many games – their aim now is to preserve the unbeaten run by securing consecutive victories.
The Eastern Giants sit pretty well in the first place on the Uganda premier league log with 18 points having not dropped even a point in six rounds.
Defender Nicholas Mwere in a action.
Abbey Kikomeko’s men convincingly beat Bright Stars, KCCA, Arua Hill, Maroons and SC Villa. They also picked points against a boggy URA side last time out. Therefore, every game is there for the taking for BUL.
In their way however lie a bewildering army side that is eager to get up and running in front of its own fans and is desperate to continue its renaissance.
After losing three consecutive games, UPDF recently drew with Express and beat Busoga United in their immediate last two games.
They currently occupy 12th position in the table with one win, two draws and three defeats from their six games played so far. They come into the encounter with five points, one and two ahead of Wakiso Giants and Bright Stars respectively.
It was a one all draw when the sides last met in April. This will be the 13th meeting between the two teams.
Striker Alex Kitata
TEAM NEWS:
Midfielder Pascal Ngobi will miss the clash after sustaining an injury against URA in the dieing minutes of the game but the rest of the squad are available for selection.
‘‘ UPDF is a strong side, we haven’t won in Bombo in the last 4 outings but we are going there to change those numbers this time. We are building on our current form to get maximum points from Bombo. The boys are in good shape, we have prepared them well and they are ready to deliver tomorrow’’, assistant coach James Magala.
Captain George Kasonko ” Our last six wins are not news anymore everybody knows we won them, our focus now is on tomorrow’s game against UPDF that is very crucial to us and we going to play it as a final . We are in good shape and ready to battle for maximum points. We call upon our fans to come support us tomorrow and promise to get maximum points for them”
Head to Head
P12 W6 D2 L4
Twelve matches have been played between these teams, producing six wins for BUL, four for UPDF and two draws since 2015.
Previous four encounters
December 23, 2021
UPDF FC 1-1 BUL FC
March 01, 2022
BUL 5-1 UPDF FC
October 8, 2022
BUL FC 3-1 UPDF FC
February 21, 2023
UPDF 1-1 BUL FC
BUL FC starting line up against URA
Match Facts
BUL have won all their past six games, including the three away matches this season, scoring ten (10) goals and conceding two in the process with a maximum of 15 points collected.
From the six games, they have managed four clean sheets, against – Bright Stars, KCCA FC, Maroons and URA FC.
Eight of BUL’s ten goals have come in the first half.
The Eastern Giants are unbeaten in the last five meetings with UPDF, winning three matches and drawing two, with 14 goals scored and seven conceded during the same run.
BUL’s last loss to UPDF occurred three years ago when they were defeated by the army side 2-1 in December of 2020. The Eastern Giants’ first half lead through Joseph Ssemujju was overturned by Dickens Okwir’s late double for UPDF.
However, BUL has never won a league match away at UPDF. In six trips to Bombo, the Eastern Giants have drawn two games and lost three but they were beneficiaries of a FUFA Disciplinary Committee Panel’s decision to overturn UPDF’s 1-0 victory over BUL, and awarded three points and three goals to the Eastern Giants after the army team used Sulaiman Majanjalo who was ineligible to play in that game of April 2018.
Injured Pascal Ngobi celebrating with striker Lawrence Tezikya
This fixture has produced a winner in ten of their past twelve (12) meetings, and 38 goals have been scored across the games, with BUL FC having a lion’s share of 23.
The two stalemates in this fixture ended 1-1; and in both, BUL scored first. Musa Esenu’s goal in the 12th minute was cancelled out by Ivan Ahimbisibwe for UPDF in December 2021 while Frank Yiga equalized for the army side after Hillary Onek had put BUL ahead last season in February 2023.
UPDF have won three times in six home league games against BUL since 2015. They won 3-1 in February 2016, 2-0 in February 2017 and 2-1 in December 2021.
This campaign, the hosts have won one game, drawn two and lost three to pick five points from six matches.
And they have failed to win all their three homes games – drew against Express and URA, and lost 0-2 against Wakiso Giants in September.
They have kept two clean sheets so far – against URA FC and Busoga United.
But they have also failed to score in four of their six outings.
They have scored three goals this term and conceded six across all the matches.
Two of their three goals have come in the second half. However, their visitors have conceded one goal only after the break.
Match Coverage:
Our social media channels will relay minute to minute text commentary during play time. A match report and highlights will follow shortly.
The Eastern Giants welcome URA to FUFA Technical Centre on Tuesday in the Uganda premier league, match day six at 4pm (EAT).
Hillary Onek battling for the ball with the opponent
Our winning run was extended to five games following last week’s 2-1 away victory over sixteen time league champions – SC Villa.
It was quite the contrast for URA; they drew 1-1 against Maroons at the prisons grounds. Having got a late lead, the tax collectors were close to bagging all the three points but were denied at last when the home side equalized in added time.
BUL is currently second on the log after enjoying a strong start to the season – with five wins in as many games, beating Bright Stars, KCCA, Arua Hill, Maroons and SC Villa to count 15 points, same as leaders Kitara. Of the five victories, three have come away from home.
Winger Martin Aprem in action
Our most recent encounter came in March 2023 where we lost 1-0 in Njeru.
Heading into the game, three places and six points separate the sides. URA is sixth with nine points after winning only two games.
This will be the 25th meeting between the two teams.
Team News
Striker Joel Madondo missed the SC Villa game due to injury and remains on the sidelines even against URA. The rest of the squad is available and ready for contention.
About tomorrow’s clash, head coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere said that he expects a tough challenge from the visitors but he echoed BUL plays to win, not to lose and that our current exciting form is not a fluke nor just a one off.
“The good form we are having is not a mere happening, we have fought for it and we shall continue to fight hard to see that we maintain it. The boys are in high gear as every game we play is a final, that is why we’re still unbeaten – we don’t look at losing – we play to win,” he said.
“We won against SC Villa in our last match, a game that wasn’t easy. Now we play URA who drew in their last outing.”
“It is going to be a tough game against us though. We played and even defeated them in the super eight final but this time we are going to play competing for points and I think we are going to put in whatever it takes to get the three points given that we are at home.”
“We shall fight hard to get the points as much as they will also want them.”
BUL FC starting 1X that won against URA in the FUFA super 8 finals
Assistant captain Joel Mutakubwa;
“We know they are not an easy side but we are going to play under instructions and we might use the home advantage because we don’t want to lose any game at home,”
“Basically the players are in good shape and willing to give their best. But we are going to take it like any other game. We have ninety minutes to play for, and with the instructions of the coach, we shall certainly get the maximum points.”
Head to Head
Twenty four (24) matches have been played between the sides in the league since November 2011, with the duels ending in three BUL FC wins, 11 URA victories and ten draws
Last four meetings
November 20, 2021
URA 2-2 BUL FC
April 04, 2022
BUL FC 2-0 URA FC
October 14, 2022
URA 1-1 BUL FC
March 04, 2023
BUL FC 0-1 URA FC
Match facts
BUL have won all their opening five matches this season to collect 15 points, a record only matched by Kitara.
The fantastic run has stretched our unbeaten run to seven league matches, stretching back to last season.
Abbey Kikomeko’s men have scored nine (9) goals at the time; only NEC (10) and Kitara (11) have scored more.
From the past four meetings between the sides, the Eastern Giants have lost only one to URA, the 1-0 home loss in March.
BUL’s three wins off URA arrived with clean sheets, the similar scores of 1-0 in April of 2016 and February 2018, and the 2-0 victory in April 2022.
Of the ten stalemates in this fixture, six were one all draws, two were goalless; while the other two were two all stalemates.
URA has won two games, and drawn three of their five outings, and they are one of the five teams that are still unbeaten.
The tax collectors have also drawn all their three away matches this term – against; UPDF (0-0), Bright Stars (1-1) and Maroons (1-1).
All games involving the visitors this season have not had more than two goals.
Match Officials
Kasalirwe Lucky will take charge of the match from the center. Osire Juma and Kateregga Ashraf to run the lines as the first and second assistant referees in that order. Duula Joshua will serve as the fourth official, while Tomusange Ali will be the referee assessor.
Match Coverage:
The best way to enjoy every bit of this game is to come to FUFA technical center. Meanwhile you can also follow the action through our social media channels below with full text coverage during the game followed by a match report and highlights.
BUL FC has qualified for the FUFA Super Eight final. After a one all stalemate in regular time, The Eastern Giants won 6-5 on penalties on a Monday evening at FUFA Technical Centre.
Joel Mutakubwa marked his debut with a classy and outstanding performance; he was big in between the uprights for BUL as he scored one and saved two SC Villa’s efforts to win it all for the Eastern Giants.
The game closed out the ninety minutes of regulation play with both sides tied 1-1.
The even match-up almost continued into the spot kicks, during which Douglas Muganga missed his shot as SC Villa’s Ronald Ssekiganda and Kenneth Ssemakula saw theirs comfortably saved by Mutakubwa.
Samuel Ssekamatte was the first to plant his into the net for BUL, Benon Tahomera and Ronald Otti also converted with great composure afore to Muganga clipping his out.
Mutakubwa restored hope when he guided the ball beyond his fellow goalkeeper before Lawrence Tezikya and Ibrahim Mugulusi ensured BUL wins.
SC Villa got their goals through Umar Lutalo, Edward Masembe, Hamza Mulambuzi, Patrick Kakande and Hakim Mutebi.
The final score was 6-5
Monday’s match was BUL’s first semi final in this competition, with all the previous attempts ending prematurely.
Our goalkeeper made some big saves, including stopping Patrick Kakande’s stinging hard shot late in the second half. He had already denied Ivan Bogere and Lutalo in the opening stages of the game.
But he was beaten by former Eastern Giant Peter Onzima. The wide man picked a pass from Ivan Bogere to curl beyond his reach.
But the Jogoo’s celebrations were cut short when Ssekamatte sent Meddie Kibirige the wrong way from the penalty mark three minutes to the break after Simon Mukisa fell Reagan Kalyowa in the box.
By midway the second half, the clash became more of an end to end affair as they all looked to throw the final winning jab. Chances were created but they all struggled to finish.
Nicholas Mwere blazed a free kick over the bar, Ssekamatte then skewed another from inside the box as the game wore on.
The final will be played on 3rd September 2023 at a venue that will be communicated in the due course.
Starting XI:
Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Douglas Muganga, Ronald Otti, Walter Ochora, Nicholas Mwere, Ibrahim Kazindula (Ibrahim Mugulusi 56′), George Kasonko, Jerome Kirya (Lawrence Tezikya 72′), Martin Aprem (Joel Madondo 56′), Samuel Sekamatte, Reagan Kalyowa (Benon Tahomera 90+5′)
Unused substitutes:
Saidi Keni (GK), Alex Kitata, Vincent Zziwa, Emmanuel Obua, Shafiq Kwikiriza.
Abbey Kikomeko Bogere will be hoping to progress to his first final as BUL FC coach when we host SC Villa in Monday’s FUFA Super Eight semi-final.
The Eastern Giants made it to the last-four stage with a 1-0 victory over Vipers SC on Thursday. Samuel Ssekamatte scored from the spot to give us a perfect start to the preseason competition.
For SC Villa, they defeated Maroons 2-1 at Wankulukuku to set up this mouth watering clash.
Should BUL defeat the Jogoos at FUFA Technical Centre in this one-off tie, it would not only ensure a place in the final, but it will also stretch our dominance over SC Villa in recent times.
It’s only one win for the visitors against the Eastern Giants in past six years, and it came recently in March, in Lira.
BUL has been commanding in duels involving the sides and has also knocked them out of the Uganda cup in the previous two consecutive seasons.
From the 28 matches across all competitions, this fixture has produced nine wins for BUL, ten for SC Villa and nine draws.
Team News
The Eastern Giants will miss right back cum winger Hillary Onek. The rest of the squad is available and ready to hit the ground running.
Head coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere is optimistic his men will pull off another big win to storm the final.
“SC Villa is one of the teams this season that have made massive changes just like us and they are well prepared just like we are,” he said.
“We won our quarter final match against Vipers, but the one against SC Villa is going to be a very different game.”
“The game approach tomorrow is going to be different from the one we had at Vipers but all in all, we are focusing on winning.”
“SC Villa is one team which almost has the same structure like ours, their playing style is also similar to ours. But nevertheless, tomorrow we’re determined and we are going to try as much as possible to see that we get the second win at home.“
Captain George Kasonko said;
“We are playing at home but being at our own backyard doesn’t mean we have already won the game.”
“Therefore, as players, we need to double our efforts. Coaches have done their part and we are now in the right conditions to play tomorrow.”
BUL square off against Vipers SC in the quarter finals of the FUFA Super 8 tournament, a precursor for the new StarTimes Uganda premier league season, on Thursday (10th August) at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru. This is the third edition of the competition.
Six other teams, who include – KCCA FC, URA, Arua Hills, Maroons, Wakiso Giants and SC Villa are also playing to complete the pack of the top eight teams from last season.
It will be BUL’s first competitive game under new coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere. They will feature in at least two more matches of the pre-season tournament after this game.
They endured a poor run of results for the entire second half of the previous term, failing to win a single match in fourteen league games.
But a lot of things have since changed and they will look to leave a good account of themselves in this one ahead of the new campaign.
In the offseason, the Eastern Giants have already defeated big league side Jinja North United and won a couple of other friendlies with ease. They will have everyone available for this clash.
Vipers, meanwhile, have also been flawless during their preseason outings, beating Kagera Sugar, Nateete select and winning 4-0 against URA FC recently.
BUL almost beat the venoms in the teams’ last faceoff in May but Karim Watambala scored from the spot in injury time to deny them the win after Samuel Ssekamatte had put the Eastern Giants in control of the game five minutes after the hour.
This will be the 26th meeting between the sides in all competitions since 2011, with BUL winning three games, Vipers running away with fifteen and drawn seven times.
Speaking about the match, the coach said this is the time to cut Vipers’ dominance short.
“We played in the previous editions of the super eight and never went through to the semifinals. But this time we are well prepared, the boys are in good conditions and I expect them to give us the good results,” coach Abbey Kikomeko said.
“Ever since we started playing Vipers, they have been so stubborn – however this is the chance to overcome them.”
“Scoring was our main challenge last season but I think we have solved that. We have worked upon it since we started the preseason training.”
“Some strikers were brought on board, competition for the forward positions is really high and I expect goals this time around.”
George Kasonko, the team captain, said the team is buzzing and ready to deliver the goods.
“History shows we have never progressed past this stage but a lot of things have really changed and as players, we are ready for the challenge this time,” Kasonko said.
“It has been long since we started preparing ourselves. One of our goals is to win trophies and the super eight is one of them.”
“We are not looking at the previous attempts in which we failed in this competition but we are aiming at playing the final and the final starts tomorrow. Every game is going to be a final for us.”
BUL FC teenagers – Richard Okello, Innocent Rwothomio, Julius Baraza and Swabiru Mpasa have signed their first senior contracts with the club.
Striker Innocent Rwothomio during a Juniors league action for BUL FC JT
After showing outstanding performances at the juniors’ side, the quartet were drafted into the first team where they equally impressed last season, and each has now penned a three year contract with the Eastern Giants.
Okello scored thirteen goals in eighteen matches as the junior team qualified for the national juniors’ league championship. Rwothomio bagged twelve in thirteen games. Both featured in six and five first team games respectively.
Mpasa, who plays as midfielder, played one match with the senior team. He scored five goals in seventeen outings for the age group side, while defender Baraza made three appearances at the first team, and seventeen with the under 17 category
BUL Football Club can confirm the signing of Edrine Mukisa Opaala from Busoga United. The attacking midfielder has signed a two year contract with us.
A product of Jinja SS, the 19 year old arrives at the Eastern Giants with a wealth of topflight football in his legs after playing in the Uganda premier league for the past three seasons.
“Opaala is still young and has been playing well, assisting and doing so many things. We thought it was high time he joins a good team like BUL so that he can excel with his talent,” head coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere said.
“I know his ability, I know the kind of football he plays and the kind of passes he crafts. He will actually add creativity to our midfield.”
“He is a product of Copa Coca Cola schools tournament and majority of these players have excelled, and they have gone as far as playing professional football.”
“So we thought bringing him on board at BUL will be a better achievement for him.”
After signing for the Eastern Giants, Opaala said;
“I am excited to join the BUL family. I thank the management for the opportunity given to me, I am ready to compete.”
Opaala was named the 2019 Copa Coca Cola Most Valuable Player and won the same award in the Busoga Masaza Cup when he was playing for Buzaya County in the 2019 edition.
Alex Kitata has completed the transfer from Gaddafi FC to BUL.
The experienced striker joins the Eastern Giants on a two-year contract to bolster the forward line. He scored eight goals in 26 league appearances for the Soldier Boys last campaign, helping them avoid relegation to finish 11th.
On becoming a BUL player, Kitata said:
“I am thrilled to join one of the best teams in the country. My primary role is to score goals and I believe if we work together as a team, we shall score lots of goals and win more games.”
Head coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere said:
“As much as I have an experienced forward in Ssekamatte, I wanted to add on another experienced striker, and that is Kitata. I think with the help of the young lads around, and the experience of Ssekamatte and Kitata, we shall get good results.”
“I looked at his experience and the work rate, and he knows where to put the ball.”
“He scored eight goals last season, and where he is now, there are midfielders who can feed him well. And with the playing style we are going to adopt, I think he will give us good goals and I expect much from him.”
A pacey striker and proven goal scorer, Kitata brings huge pile of experience to BUL having played for The Saints, SC Villa, Kitara, UPDF (two spells) in the Uganda Premier League. He also featured for Rwandan side Kiyovu Sports Club on a short stint.
BUL Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of defender Nicholas Mwere.
The 22-year-old left back joins from Busoga United and has signed a three year contract with the Eastern Giants.
Nicholas Mwere (left} has re united with coach Abbey Kikomeko
One of the highly rated young defenders in Uganda, Mwere played for JIPRA in the secondary schools competitions and Kakira Town Council in the lower divisions of Jinja district at a tender age before he moved to Busoga United in 2021 where he played for the last two seasons in the Uganda premier league.
He is bully and a rock solid young player who often frightens strikers.
BUL FC head coach, Abbey Kikomeko Bogere, said:
“When you look at the backline of our team, we had a loophole on the left side. So, I opted for Mwere.”
“I looked at his height, and his work rate. He is a young player and a promising defender.”
“I expect him to become a better defender now that he has joined BUL.”
Nicholas Mwere said:
“I am excited to join BUL FC, the Eastern Giants.”
“BUL is a winning team, they recently won the Uganda cup and I expect to win with them more titles.”
“I will try to defend better as well as attack at the same time to help the team achieve its targets. We are going to work together and win together.”
