L-R: Crespo Patrick Asiku, Ayub Isiko, Rashid Kebba and Rajab Mukose
With many recent additions, BUL FC “The Eastern Giants” have went on a vital trip to Iganga for a team building retreat at Sana Country hotel.
The retreat in progress resumed on Thursday and will last for three successive days this up to Saturday October 16.
While there, the team will work to find greater solidality, bonding and cohesion ahead of this season’s league commencement.
Groundsman Rajab Mukose (Dad Alonso) poses for a photo at Sana Country Hotel
“This is a valuable opportunity for us to understand each other as a team. I wanted players and officials to know each other deep inside and synergize for the rest of the time we shall be here.” Said Team manager Alex Isabirye
“I expect members of the team to commit focus on the forthcoming campaign and pave a way forward to achieve our aims and objectives.” Isabirye stressed
“Equally, I want to thank management for the timely financial support towards this cause. It came really in the right time.”
BUL FC will also work together through a wide range of team-building activities, practice games, and as well exercises.
Players during warm up before a practice game
Team camp program
Thursday October 14, 2021
9:00am: Team trains at Kyabazinga stadium Bugembe
2:00pm – Team Photoshoot at C’Sand Hotel Jinja
5:00pm – Team departs for Iganga
6:00pm – Team checks in at Sana Country Hotel
Friday October 15, 2021
10:00am – Team holds first training in Iganga at Iganga Boys Primary school playground
4:00pm – Practice match between Eastern Giants FC Vs BUL FC
Saturday October 16, 2021
10:00am – Open talk session
3:00pm – Practice match between Iganga Young FC Vs BUL FC.
BUL Football Club is pleased to announce our season-ticket pricing for 2021/22 season in the Uganda Premier League.
Tickets are already on sale at club offices in Masese, Jinja City from Monday to Saturday or relatedly we can at free cost deliver it to your doorsteps within Jinja City vicinity.
With 15 league home games on card, we are cheaply offering ordinary tickets at Seventy thousand shillings only (70,000/=) that comes with our home kit and V.I.P tickets at only One hundred thousand shillings only (100,000/=) and also coming with our home replica jersey.
“We have taken careful consideration of these prices at this level in our area and therefore, we appeal to our fans to passionately rush for these pocket friendly season tickets before league’s commencement because no fan will be given access to our home games without any of them.” Noted Ahmed Kongola the club CEO.
Our replica jersey will come in different categories ranging from adult fitting-wear as well as toddler’s in various sizes.
Should you want more information about the same, please reach to our club CEO on 0702 969832.
More than ever before, the Eastern Giants have assembled a fairly young squad that will compete in several seasons to come.
Numerous members of the Junior side have been given a node to the first team and a variety of new players in their early 20s have been recruited as we aim to build a dominant football dynasty in Uganda.
Simon Peter Oketch leads the legion of the gifted young players from the Junior team that have earned places in the senior squad for close to three seasons now. And the party is joined by Thomas Kabaale, Hamis Tibita and Aprem Martin.
Youngsters Thomas Kabale, Simon Peter Oketch pose for a photo with senior players on Uganda Cup final recently
Reagan Kalyowa is likely to establish himself as a dominant figure for the Eastern Giants while Owen Mukisa and Allan Kiggundu have been given a taste of topflight football by the current management and may mold into the next big things in a short while.
Team manager, Alex Isabirye said he is building a temple of soccer at BUL Football Club, and is willing to take a gamble on young talent with huge potential to perform in the league.
“We are building a team which will dominate football in Uganda in the next three to four years.”
“That is why we are greatly considering young players but mainly from our Junior team.”
Owen Mukisa and Thomas Kabale
Talking of the junior team, this team won the Juniors league in 2019 and the side now claims more than nine players on the first team. Isabirye echoed that these will be the cornerstone of the long-term-project and a viable option to mercenary players.
“We have a lot of good young players. We are refining and grooming them.”
“We no longer want players who only come here to get the money but not to play for the team.”
“We now want players with a thick team spirit.”
Youthful Signings
Owen Mukisa speaking to press
The club carefully signed proven but quite young players to reinforce key positions – right from goalkeeping to the attacking end after fourteen players were released last season.
Said Keni was recruited to better the goalkeeping area. Then the midfield was freshened up by the addition of George Kasonko and Pascal Ngobi. Ibrahim Nsimbe and Ivan Wani were fetched to sharpen our attack, and all these players are under the age bracket of 25. Other new players in the same age bracket are Joel Abaliwano and Douglas Muganga.
It should be borne in mind that we also signed a promising Jerome Kirya. The attacking midfielder is below 20 years of age.
The club was already rich with established and exciting youthful players like Joseph Semujju and Musa Esenu, to mention but two.
Our manager, Isabirye is working on a formula which will weave them together with the more experienced players to form a steely threatening team.
Competing next season
We now believe we have assembled a strong squad that can attain long-term success.
The club embarked on preparations early enough in response to that unfamiliar 11th finish in the league, and Isabirye said, the Eastern Giants are now set to begin at full speed in the forthcoming campaign that kicks off a fortnight from now
“Our target this season is to compete.”
“The team is good and we do not aim to finish in the 11th place.”
“We have got good players with character. At least, we want to be in the top four.”
BUL has featured in thirteen trial games, sprinkled opponents with goals and notched up nine preseason wins.
BUL Football Club Chairman – Ronald Barente has thanked fans for their immense support to the team and hopes for more of the same when the Eastern Giants return to action next season.
Below is his message!
Dear BUL FC Family,
Let me start my missive by saying I hope you and your family are well after what was a challenging season and one that called for great resilience.
I want to thank you all for your unwavering support to BUL FC despite having to watch much of it from afar distance due to the effects of the pandemic.
Last season, for many reasons, we did not meet our expectations on the pitch since we finished in a disappointing 11th position in the league but your support never weathered despite the poor results.
The team came close to winning a silverware after reaching the Stambic Uganda Cup final for the first time in our history, however, we were beaten to the title by Vipers SC.
Obviously, we didn’t enjoy the result but we shall always cherish the moment of reaching the first ever final.
We have a club that really cares about being successful starting with the Chairman, please stick with us through this unfortunate period.
I therefore, kindly ask that we move on and respond by upping the level of support for the team as they really need us at the moment. There was no lack of effort and sooner or later, we shall be back on the rails again.
Central to our plans and ambitions is to build a successful football team, we have thus, invested a lot in new players and technical staff.
The squad that we have assembled is capable of competing for honours and will dominate Ugandan football for so many years and seasons to come.
I urge everyone to get behind the team as we seek to start the new season strongly.
I want to thank coach Daniel Kabale, the new team manager Alex Isabirye, and all the coaches who stepped in to lead the team through to the end of the season and I also thank our players who behaved professionally and continued to perform to the maximum during the time of change.
I also thank all our staff for their commitment and hard work during the season.
Esenu turns goalkeeper after Mulabi sustaining awful injury
Tibita returns after long lay-off with knee injury
Tibita scores his first competitive goal after two seasons on sickbed
This is BUL FC’s first major cup final in history
Youngsters Owen Mukisa and Thomas Kabbale after the game
BUL Football Club fell to a disappointing defeat to Vipers SC in the Stanbic Uganda Cup final on Sunday.
Livingstone Mulondo sent the Venoms ahead in the third minute before Yunus Sentamu doubled their advantage in the 25th minute with a nutmeg.
BUL FC created some chances after Vipers opener but just couldn’t hit the target. Fredson Gwoto had a diagonal free kick scream out begging before Simon Peter Oketch shot wide from long range.
Striker Esenu Musa who later turned into a goalkeeper
Joseph Semujju had two attempts from distance only to be denied by Fabien Mutombora on both occasions before Musa Esenu shot off target in the 33rd minute
Ceaser Manzoki was on target twice just before the half-time signal to make it 4-0 for Vipers, which was the score at the interval.
In the second half, Hamis Tibita replaced Allan Kigundu before Sentamu scored his second and Vipers’ fifth just a few moments later.
Players after receiving their medals
Isabirye’s team did all they could to cut Vipers’ advantage but instead it was the Venoms forward who scored again
Sentamu netted his third on the day five minutes to the hour and his fourth two minutes after Milton Karisa’s 65th minute strike.
Substitute Tibita scored for the Eastern Giants seventeen minutes from the final whistle.
Striker Esenu replaced Sanon Mulabi in goal in the second half after the goalkeeper sustained an injury.
The goal poacher, turned net-minder, was beaten twice only. By a deflected effort from Karisa’s free kick and by Sentamu but denied Paul Mucureezi with an excellent save in the 74th minute as we fell to an 8-1 defeat in what was our first major cup final in club history.
BUL FC staring XI vs Vipers
Starting Line Up Vs Vipers SC
Sanon Mulabi (Mugulusi), Aggrey Madoi, Walter Ochora, Fredson Gwoto, Godfrey Akol, Allan Kigundu (Wandyaka), Owen Mukisa (Kabbale), Simon Peter Oketch, Musa Esenu, Martin Aprem (Tibita), Joseph Semujju
Substitutes
Hamis Tibita, Thomas Kabale, Ambrose Kirya, Richard Wandyaka,
The match will be broadcast live on UBC TV. BUL FC fans will also be able to follow all the action on our:
Facebook page – BUL Football Club-Jinja
Twitter – @bulfc1
Instagram – bulfc1
And on the different WhatsApp forums.
Owen Mukisa during stanbic Uganda Cup against Proline FC
BUL Football Club play Vipers Sports Club at Fufa Technical Center in the Stambic Uganda Cup final on Sunday hoping to bring the famous trophy home.
The Eastern Giants are in a first Uganda Cup final after kicking out Express in the penultimate stage and face the venoms who lifted the trophy in 2016.
Our last meeting was in the league back in February and we lost to them by a narrow 0-1 score. The second leg wasn’t played as the league was forced to end due to COVID 19 before the return fixture at Kyabazinga stadium.
Team News:
Captain Walter Ochora and forward Hamis Tibita are now fit to play the final.
Gifted Simon Peter Oketch and anchorman Richard Wandyaka will also join the fight on Sunday after missing the semi final due to suspension.
Manager Alex Isabirye gives forwad Semujju instructions during a game
Manager Alex Isabirye said; “My team is very ready waiting to play the final,” .
“I have confidence in my players; we shall win the trophy.”
“If we can beat the regional champion Express FC, what about tiring Vipers!”
Joseph Semujju also shares the same sentiments with the gaffer.
“It is time to win a trophy for BUL FC,” he noted.
“Let us give all we can on Sunday.”
“They labelled us underdogs against Express but we surprised them and we are going to shock them again.”
“We are now more spirited and more energized.”
BUL’s manager speaking to players during quarter final match in Lugogo against Proline
Route to the final
BUL FC swept aside Blacks Power FC with an aggregate win of 5-1 after two rounds in the stage of 32. Deogracious Ojok and Simon Peter Oketch gave us the first leg advantage in Bukedea before Semujju, Robert Mukongotya and Oketch again finished the job at Bugembe.
The round of 16 saw us run 4-2 over Kigezi Home Boys. Richard Wandyaka and Musa Esenu, who scored home and away ensured we progressed to the next round as Owen Mukisa netted on his senior debut away in Kasese.
BUL then beat defending champions Proline FC 2-1 in the quarter finals, with both goals scored by Vitalis Tabu and Semujju.
In the semi final that was played at Fufa Technical Center, the Eastern Giants pulled off a 1-0 heroic win over league champions – Express, with Owen Mukisa delivering the sucker punch to send us into the final.
Form guide
BUL enter this encounter with confidence following a track of five wins from the last six competitive fixtures in all competitions. The team has registered only one defeat in Uganda Cup this season and that promising form was extended to preseason friendlies in which the team won eight games and lost two in twelve matches before masterminding a memorable victory in the semifinals of this competition.
Last 5 meetings
February 23, 2021
Vipers SC 1-0 BUL FC
February 09, 2020
BUL FC 2-3 Vipers SC
October 22, 2019
Vipers SC 2-1 BUL FC
May 04, 2019
Vipers SC 1-0 BUL FC
December 19, 2018
BUL FC 1-3 Vipers SC
BUL FC TV on YouTube will provide post-match reaction as well as match highlights on the following day.
Players available for selection
Aggrey Madoi, Godfrey Akol, Ambrose Kirya, Sanon Mulabi(G.K), Walter Ochora, Martin Aprem, Richard Wandyaka, Musa Esenu, Reagan Kalyowa, Joseph Semujju, Fredson Gwoto, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Owen Mukisa, Allan Kigundu, William Isabirye, Thomas Kabaale, John Okurut (G.K) and Simon Peter Oketch
Forward, Joseph Semujju has called upon the Eastern Giants to roast Vipers SC on Sunday. The 24year old believes victory over his former club will trigger more success for BUL Football Club in the seasons to follow.
“It is time to win a trophy for BUL FC,” he noted.
“Let us give all we can on Sunday.”
“Victory over the venoms will set our ground running and may determine how the team may perform next season,” he continued.
Odds were against us in the semi final as is the case with next encounter but Semujju has said the team is more fired up than burning coal.
“They labelled us underdogs against Express but we surprised them and we are going to shock them again.”
“We are now more spirited and more energized.”
The winger also said that winning Uganda Cup will mean a lot to the players and BUL FC as a team. He also revealed he was excited to play a final against a team he turned out for between 2015 and 2017.
Manager Alex Isabirye speaking to players during training
BUL Football Club set up a date with Vipers SC for Sunday’s Stanbic Uganda Cup final after knocking out Express on Thursday afternoon.
The Eastern Giants will be playing their first major final in history and they are keen to win the cup.
While addressing members of the sports media during FUFA’s special press conference at their headquarters on Friday morning, Alex Isabirye is confident his guard will complete the task at hand.
Manager Alex Isabirye said; “My team is very ready waiting to play the final,” .
“I have confidence in my players; we shall win the trophy.”
The team has only two days to rest as well as working out a plan to defang the opponents but Isabirye has discarded fears of fatigue and promised nothing short of victory.
“My opponent has had enough time to rest and even monitor our team play but that will not worry me at all.”
“Finals are won not played, so we are going to win the game on Sunday.”
“If we can beat the regional champion Express FC, what about tiring Vipers!” Isabirye wondered
The Eastern Giants camp has been beefed up by the return of team captain Walter Ochora and forward Hamis Tibita.
Endowed Simon Peter Oketch and anchorman Richard Wandyaka will also join the fight on Sunday after sitting out of the Thursday fixture due to suspension.
Players and officials celebrate after final whistle
Owen Mukisa scores solitary vital goal for BUL to storm final
This is BUL’s first competitive final in history
On a Thursday evening, BUL Football Club found itself in a place it had never been before in our 14 years of existence.
With an underdog tag hanging in the necks, the Eastern Giants sent shock waves across the nation with a 1-0 beating of Uganda Premier League and CECAFA Cup champions – Express FC to secure a spot in the Stanbic Uganda Cup final for the first time.
Owen Mukisa, the 18year old jewel from the junior team netted that all precious goal twenty six minutes off the clock.
Owen Mukisa speaking to press during post match conference
“I am excited I scored the goal that took us to the final,” the teenager said.
BUL took to the field with four graduates from the junior team and had only one substitute on the bench after a huge layoff of many senior players from the previous season.
“I am happy we have marched on to the final for the first time.”
“The players played for the team and they did it in the most fashionable way,” team manager Alex Isabirye said after the important victory.
Manager Alex Isabirye
The Eastern Giants will now face Vipers SC in the final on Sunday and if BUL FC beat the Venoms, one of our major targets of winning a silverware would be complete.
In our early assaults on the Uganda Cup, we struggled to get beyond the round of 16 and when we eventually did, we got eliminated by SC Villa at the semi-final stage in 2015.
There was also a shocking exit to regional league team Mvara Boys in 2019 at the round of 32.
But ‘this season,’ it has been a different story. the Eastern Giants have registered six wins from seven matches in this competition, with the sole loss coming against Proline in the return leg of the semi-final.
Mukisa put up man of the match perfomance
BUL posted resounding victories off Blacks Power, Kigezi Home Boys, Proline and now Express to storm the historic ultimate stage of Uganda Cup.
And has now become the first indigenous team from Eastern region to reach the final of this competition in 22 years.
Starting XI: Sanon Mulabi 23, Allan Kigundu 27, Fredson Gwoto 04, Godfrey Akol 06, Aggrey Madoi 03, Ibrahim Mugulusi 08, Owen Mukisa 10, Thomas Kabaale 21, Martin Aprem 24, Musa Esenu 20, Joseph Semujju 32,
Substations: Ambrose Kirya 11
OUR JOURNEY TO FINALS
First Leg Round of 32 | April 5, 2021
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FT: Blacks Power FC 0-2 BUL FC | Simon Peter Oketch and Deogracious Ojok
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Second leg |
FT: BUL FC 3-1 Blacks Power (Agg: 5-1) | Semujju, Simon Peter Oketch and Robert Mukongotya | Siwu
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Round of 16 – first leg | May 5,
BUL FC 2-1 Kigezi Home Boys | Richard Wandyaka and Musa Esenu | Denis Lubowa
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Round of 16, second leg | May 25,
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Kigezi Home Boys 1-2 BUL FC | Musa Esenu and Mukisa Owen
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Quarter finals | First Leg | May 30
Proline 0-2 BUL FC | Vitalis Tabu and Joseph Semujju
Ambrose Kirya is looking forward to make his club debut
Date: Thursday Sept. 23
Venue: Fufa Technical Center
Time: 3:30PM (EAT)
Match Officials
Center Referee – Asaduh Ssemeere
Ass. Referee 1 – Dick Okello
Ass. Referee 2 – Jane Mutonyi
4th Official. – Rajab Bakasambe
Referee Assessor – Ali Tomusange
Youngster Owen Mukisa is among those to play
BUL Football Club face Express FC this Thursday afternoon in the Uganda Cup semi-final at FUFA Technical Center in Njeru.
The “Eastern Giants” will be aiming to make history as they seek to reach their first final of a major tournament having fallen to SC Villa in 2015 at the very stage of the same competition.
BUL made it to the last-four after a 2-1 aggregate win over Proline in the quarters.
Should they (Alex’s side) defeat the Red Eagles in this one-off tie, the victory will ensure a place in the final against Vipers SC that beat helpless Police fc 2-0
Akol among the senior players to feature
Team News:
In terms of team news, most players who were instrumental in the team’s fantastic run in this competition were released at the end of last season.
However, team manager Alex Isabirye will assemble the appropriate players available and plan accordingly for the big occasion.
“About 70% of the players who played for us last season were released, not because they were not good but because some were out of contract while some had unlikeable characters,” Isabirye said after the last training.
“We are supposed to use players that have licenses for last season, therefore, we have no chance to deploy our new players. We shall now use a mix of young players from the junior team and a few seniors available, ” he revealed.
The team will be dominated by juveniles with little experience of topflight football but Isabirye is confident his lads will deliver.
“We are going to face a good team with a good set of coaches. They are the league champions, recently won CECAFA Kagame Cup, and they have been playing at the continent.”
“However, my young players are eager to play. They will put up a good show and I believe we shall win the game.”
Form Guide
The Eastern Giants head into this one on the back of four wins from our last five competitive fixtures in all competitions and we have lost only once in Uganda Cup, a 0-1 defeat to Proline in the second leg of the quarter finals. We extended our excellent form to preseason friendlies. BUL FC has won eight matches and lost two in twelve pre-season outings.
Meanwhile, Express have won five from seven matches in all competitions, but lost 0-1 to Al Merreikh in their immediate last game.
How can I follow the game?
The match will be broadcast live on UBC TV. BUL FC fans will also be able to follow all the action on our:
Facebook page – BUL Football Club-Jinja
Twitter – @bulfc1
Instagram – bulfc1
And on the different WhatsApp forums.
BUL FC TV on YouTube will provide post-match reaction as well as match highlights on the following day.
Allan Kiggundu from Junior side will man the midfield
Players available delection
Aggrey Madoi, Godfrey Akol, Ambrose Kirya, Sanon Mulabi(G.K), Walter Ochora, Martin Aprem, Richard Wandyaka, Musa Esenu, Reagan Kalyowa, Joseph Semujju, Fredson Gwoto, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Owen Mukisa, Allan Kigundu, William Isabirye, Thomas Kabaale, John Okurut (G.K)
