Club CEO Ahmed Kongola (left) while unveiling goalkeeper Saidi Keni
BUL Football Club has acquired the services of custodian Saidi Keni from SC Villa.
The shot-stopper has signed a two-year-contract that will keep him at the Eastern Giants for at least up to 2023.
Keni, 22, said: “I am excited to join BUL FC. The club has big ambitions for now and the future and that prompted me to join the team.”
“I am ready to give in all I can so that we achieve all what is there to achieve as a team.”
“Coach Alex Isabirye is one of the best coaches in the country and I have always desired to learn from him, and I know under his tutelage, my career will not remain the same.”
We welcome Keni to the Eastern Giants
Team manager Alex Isabirye hands a ball to Keni during the unveiling ceremony
Manager Alex Isabirye reading through the contract before signing
BUL Football Club is proud to announce coach Alex Isabirye as our new team manager on a permanent deal through to at least 2023.
The coach has signed a two-year contract with us.
His backroom staff will comprise of Richard Kasule Bakabulindi, Daniel Kabale and James Magala as first, second and third assistant coach in that order.
Noah Kasule will serve as the fitness coach of the team, Kenneth Magada as the goal keeping coach while club legend Patrick Asiku Crespo will take up the chief scouting role.
Manager Alex Isabirye displays BUL FC away kit
Isabirye said, ” I am happy to sign a permanent contract with BUL FC for the second time. I was here for one season and matched away because the club and I had different ambitions then, but fortunately for this time, our objectives are the same.”
“I have come to stay now that we are reading from the same page and I will work so hard to see that this togetherness yields success.”
“I have won trophies at my previous clubs. We expect to win matches during my stay here and if we do so, trophies will come.”
The manager oversaw ten games last season after joining the team in early may on brief terms, and guided the Eastern Giants to eleventh place and a semifinals slot in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and Stanbic Uganda Cup respectively.
In the middle: Assistant coach Richard Kasule Bakabulibdi
BUL FC management has issued maximum commitment to supporting the team.
“We have unveiled new staff that will be headed by the new team manager, Alex Isabirye and with the backroom staff he has keenly selected, we expect BUL FC to perform well unlike last season where we struggled a lot. The Management pledges total support to the team to make sure that we win something,” club chief executive officer – Ahmed Kongola said
Isabirye replaces Arthur Kyesimira and this is his second stint at the Eastern Giants after serving the club between 2015 and 2016 in a similar role.
BUL Football Club-Jinja reveals its new jerseys for the season 2021-22.
Home Kit
L-R: Ambrose Kirya, Musa Esenu and Simon Peter Oketch
The home shirt features; a V-shaped neckline, green horizontal strips and a green rim on the sleeves.
The predominantly yellow top will be accompanied by green shorts that have yellow side strips, and yellow socks.
Away kit (Image)
Musa Esenu
While playing from elsewhere, the Eastern Giants will shine in a visually stunning red shirt. It has vertical side strips and a stylish V neck edge -all yellow- adding to an eye-catching look.
Yellow shorts and red socks complete the kit.
Third Kit
Striker Musa Esenu
Our neutral uniform is all white. The design of its neck opening is similar to that of the foresaid, but the periphery of its sleeves is green.
The chronic stylish logo is still maintained while portraying all the club’s three colours (red, yellow and green) mentioned above in our uniforms.
We can confirm that we have released a host of eight players. Amongst them are two players who gallantly served us on loan last season. These are; forward Anwar Ntege and midfielder Elvis Kibbale who have returned to their respective parent clubs – URA FC and Edgars FC.
Charles Sempa, winger Robert Mukongotya and striker Deogracious Ojok also make list of those that have walked away from the club.
Experienced defenders; Dennis Okot Oola, Jimmy Kulaba and as well Musa Walangalira have also been freed.
The six leave after their contracts with the club ran down.
We thank all the aforementioned players for having served the club excellently and therefore, we wish them the best in their future endeavors.
BUL starting XI against Bright Stars in the recent past
MATCH: URA FC VS BUL FC
LEAGUE: UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
DATE: FRIDAY APRIL 16, 2021
VENUE: ARENA OF VISIONS @4PM
BUL football club face a tough test this Friday when they face second placed URA FC at the Arena of Visions.
The Eastern Giants declined to return to winning ways in the league on Tuesday when they were held to a one all draw with Kyetume, but they still remain eight points clear off the dangerous zone.
URA defeated KCCA 2-0 on the same day and have won their last four home matches in the league.
This match will be the 20th league meeting between the two sides since 2011.
Steven Mukwala’s late brace proved the difference in last December’s reverse fixture.
Victory over the tax collectors on Friday will temporarily volley the Eastern Giants to eighth position, they currently sit 10th on the UPL table with 21 points from 17 games while the hosts rank second, tied on 39 points with league leaders Vipers SC.
Team News
Vitalis Tabu (R) carrying on opponent during Kyetume game at home
Players –Richard Wandyaka, Anwar Ntege, Robert Mukongotya and Jimmy Kulaba are fit and ready to face their former club.
The team has no fresh injury concerns apart from Ambrose Kirya who is still nursing a knee injury.
Coach’s thoughts on the game
BUL FC Technical team
“We are not on a good run in the league but our nice run is starting tomorrow against URA. We lost the first leg and they are a boggy side but Arena of Visions is a pitch that favors our style of play,” Head coach – Arthur Kyesimira said after the last training.
“BUL FC is a big brand. We have some ex URA players and we hope they will give us the impetus to win tomorrow,”
Robert Mukongotya’s remarks
“I will work so hard to see BUL FC win tomorrow’s game despite URA being my former pay master,” he said.
GOAL SCORERS
To date, The Eastern Giants have seven different net busters in all the competitions this season
Joseph Semujju – 6
Deogracious Ojok – 5
Simon Oketch – 5
Robert Mukongotya – 3
Musa Esenu – 3
Anwar Ntege – 2
Richard Wandyaka – 1
KEY STATS
BUL FC have won three, drawn one and lost four in eight away games (P8 W3 D1 L4) this season
They have picked up two points from their last two visits to the tax collectors
The Eastern Giants have two victories off URA FC since 2011, the identical 1-0 home wins in 2016 and 2018
They have earned two points from their last three league outings
URA FC have so far won five, drawn two and lost one home league game (P8 W5 D2 L1) this season
The tax collectors have won their last four home league ties
BUL FC will be looking to return to winning ways in the league when they host Kyetume FC at Kyabazinga stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
The team came short in our last two Uganda Premier League outings but will be inspired by the impressive display against Blacks Power in Uganda Cup. BUL whitewashed the Big league outfit 5-1 on aggregate to book a place in the round of 16 of the knockout competition.
This will be our third encounter with the Slaughters. The Eastern Giants earned a 2-0 victory on our first meeting and emerged second best in our immediate last tie in December last year.
Eight points separate the two teams with BUL sitting in a respectable 10th position on the sixteen team log with 20 points from 16 games while the visitors are locked in 14th place with 12 points.
Head Coach Arthur (M) stresses a point to players
Team News
BUL FC are blessed with almost a fully fit squad for the Kyetume match.
The well-rested Abdul Kimera could earn an immediate recall to the goal posts after sitting out of the Uganda cup round of 32 tie.
Martin Aprem and Kenneth Ssemakula have shaken off the knocks and the later may feature for his new team for the first time this season.
Fredrick Kigozi may also be recalled back to the starting team after being excused from the Uganda Cup second leg match against Blacks Power.
The rest of the players will also be in contention to feature besides long term absentee – Ambrose Kirya who upto now is still nursing a knee injury.
Players during training
Coach’s thoughts about tomorrow’s match
“The wins against Blacks Power FC in Uganda Cup have given us a strong impetus and momentum towards the match with Kyetume. I know we have not yet got a good run in the league but, the players are now in a good mood after the motivation and I hope we shall win tomorrow’s game,” Head coach – Arthur Kyesimira said after the prematch training.
Kenneth Ssemakula’s remarks
“I am fit and ready to play. We hope to play very well and get maximum points tomorrow,” he said.
KEY STATS
BUL FC have won three, drawn one and lost three league games at home (W3 D1 L3)
We have won our last two home games in all competitions and scored six goals in the run
The team has failed to score in only three home games – against Express, URA and Wakiso Giants.
We are yet to keep a clean sheet at home
Kyetume have not yet won in 2021, spanning a 13 game winless streak.
The visitors last tasted victory on December 20, 2020, and that was a 1-0 win against us at Fufa Technical Center
BUL FC cruised to a 2-0 win against Soltiro Bright Stars at Kavumba Recreation Grounds on Wednesday.
Deogracious Ojok’s fine strike from close range in the first-half saw BUL FC well in control at half-time.
The Eastern Giants continued in the same vain at the start of the second-half and their magnificent play presented another goal scoring opportunity on 49 minute. Fredrick Kigozi sought for the head of Ojok with a well laid in cross but the forward’s free header flew a few inches wide of the post.
They made sure of their victory nine minutes after the hour mark. Robert Mukongotya, who had been a threat to the hosts throughout the game, arrowed in a second goal for the team with his trade mark thunderbolt from a free kick near the centerline.
The goal kicked BUL into gear and they began to have more joy containing the Bright Stars threat and continue to pose problems for their opponents at the other end.
With this cushion, assistant coach Dan Mubiru brought on some fresh faces. Ibrahim Mugulusi replaced Charles Sempa, Martin Aprem came in for Mukongotya while Musa Esenu took up the place for Ojok in the 70th, 85th and 89th minutes respectively.
This was BUL FC’s first win in the last six visits to Bright Stars.
The result lifts the Eastern Giants to 9th position on the sixteen team log with 16 points from 13 games played in the Uganda Premier League ahead of Saturday’s clash with Kitara FC at Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe – Jinja City.
BUL will host Kitara FC next on Saturday March 13 at Kyabazinga Stadium Bugembe
BUL’s starting XI against Bright Stars
Starting XI Vs Bright Stars
Abdul Kimera, Aggrey Madoi, Ramathan Dudu, Fredrick Kigozi, Walter Ochora, Godfrey Akol, Charles Sempa, Robert Mukongotya, Richard Wandyaka, Simon Peter Oketch, Deogracious Ojok
Substitutes
Sanon Mulabi, Jimmy Kulaaba, Fredson Gwoto, Musa Esenu, Martin Aprem, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Douglas Bithum
*Note: Fans registration for seasonal tickets is ongoing at the club offices
BUL Football Club – Jinja played their forth practice match yesterday at Kyabazinga Stadium – Bugembe, Jinja City.
But in unusual way, the game was played between the club’s Team A (Team Crespo) and Team B (Team Lubega).
Team Crespo won by 2-1 through striker Hamis Tibita and genius midfielder Reagan Kalyowa who scored in either halves in the 4th and 77th minute of the game.
Team Lubega scored their lone and consolation goal through Ibrahim Mugulusi in the 43 minute.
In their fight to equalize, Team Lubega’s Fredson Gwoto long range effort, hit woodwork in the dying minutes of the game for they to settle for less but a second successive defeat in this epic internal clash. The first leg ended 5-1 in favour of Team Crespo.
BUL FC is in preparation for Uganda Premier League resumption and they have been tested with various practice matches to help technical team in assessing players fitness levels.
The Money Team have now won all their friendlies by beating Bugiri Da School 4-1, Budondo FC 1-4, Sudanese Select 7-1.
The Eastern Giants will take on Kampala City Council Authority Football Club on February 12, at Kyabazinga Stadium – Bugembe, Jinja City when the league returns.
BUL FC can be located in position twelve on the 16 team log with four points gathered by far.
Their last friendly game will come against Big League side, Gaddafi FC on Jan 30, at home in Bugembe.
Friendly Games played so far
BUL FC 4:1 Bugiri De School
BUL Team A 5:1 BUL Team B
Budondo FC 1:4 BUL FC
Sudanese Select 1:7 BUL FC
BUL Team B 1:2 BUL Team A
Forthcoming Friendly Match
Saturday January 30
Gadaffi FC Vs BUL FC – Kyabazinga Stadium – 4pm
How both teams lined up?
Team Crespo Starting XI:
Abdul Kimera (GK), Musa Walangalira, Fredrick Kigozi, Ramathan Dudu, Godfrey Akol, Hamisi Tibita, Anwar Ntege, Martin Aprem, Musa Esenu, Douglas Bithum, Reagan Kalyowa.
Team Manager: Ronald Barente (Club Chairman)
Team Lubega Starting XI:
Davis Mutebi, Peter Onzima, Fredson Gwoto, Dennis Okot Oola, Herbert Onyango, Vitalis Tabu, Elvis Kibaale, Charles Sempa, Deogracious Ojok, Ibra Mugulusi, Paul Mbazira.
