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.
Isaac Wagoina has finalized his move from Express to BUL FC. The forward joins the club after penning a two-year contract which keeps him at the Eastern Giants until 2026.
Striker Isaac Wagoina
Wagoina is widely regarded as one of Uganda’s best strikers apparently and arrives at the club with a formidable goal scoring reputation following an impressive spell at Express last season.
The threat he causes in the final third is underlined by his 17 goal involvements, including 14 goals and three assists in 29 games he played as Express finished 12th last season.
He was also the top scorer of the 2023 FUFA Drum tournament with seven goals while playing for Busoga Province.
After sealing the move, Wagoina said;
“Thank you for welcoming me to BUL FC. It was my decision to join this club, I was not coerced.”
“I looked at all the teams that were chasing my signature and BUL was the best amongst all. Arguably, it is the biggest team in Uganda.”
“I looked at its ambitions, ability and possibility of winning great things and all the boxes were just ticking.”
“I then decided as a player that this is the right team I should play for. I believe it is the team that will improve me as a player and possibly also take me to the national team ranks.”
“Therefore, I have come here to work hard and also join forces with my fellow players to see that the team achieves its goals.”
He previously played for Iganga Young, Busoga United and Busei United before switching to Express at the start of last season.
Everyone at BUL FC welcomes Wagoina to the Club and wishes him the best of luck throughout his time here.
Lawrence Tezikya celebrating after scoring against Vipers.
BUL FC will become the first club to host from Namboole stadium in four years as they will host its home fixture against Vipers at the newly redeveloped stadium on Wednesday.
The clash is among the test series of matches to be held at the facility before it is passed by CAF to host international matches.
Abbey Kikomeko’s men will be looking to return to winning ways and possibly return to the top of the table after going two games without victory.
Alex Kitata in action
The Eastern Giants lost 1-0 to NEC in their last Uganda premier league outing before the sides drew 1-1 in the semifinals of the Uganda Cup.
Wednesday’s clash is a battle between the 3rd and the 2nd, and the winner will automatically march to the summit of the log as both sides have 46 points, only two behind current leaders Kitara.
Matches between the two sides have quite often produced fireworks, and more of the same is expected on Wednesday. BUL FC was fabulous in the reverse fixture, winning 3-2 at St. Mary’s stadium with the Venom’s long standing home record coming to a halt in the process.
BUL FC players celebrating
This will be the 28th league meeting between the two teams.
Team News
Douglas Muganga is still out nursing an injury.
“We are playing one of our last four games this season. We defeated Vipers 3-2 in the first leg but they may come with full force tomorrow,” Coach James Magala said.
“We have also prepared very well. We have already felt the pitch and the players are in good conditions. We have prepared the boys very well and they are ready in every aspect.”
“We have crafted the right plan for this match and we are waiting for the game to kick off.”
“We are ready as players. The coaches have done their part; we have trained at Namboole pitch for two days now.”
“The game is expected to be tough as we all need the three points to enhance our chances of winning the trophy.”
“Even if we are at a neutral ground, we can beat them.” says forward Alex Kitata
Head-to-head
P27 W5 D7 L15
The teams have faced off on 27 occasions in all competitions since 2011, producing five wins for BUL, fifteen for Vipers and seven draws.
Last four encounters
December 17, 2023
Vipers SC 2-1 BUL FC
May 23, 2023
BUL FC 1-1 Vipers SC
August 12, 2023
BUL FC 1-0 Vipers SC (Super 8 quarter finals)
December 22, 2023
Vipers SC 2-3 BUL FC
Match Facts
BUL FC has picked eight wins, two draws and losses apiece in 12 home fixtures to collect 26 points from a possible 36.
As a result, the Eastern Giants have scored 17 goals and conceded six only across the games.
It is three wins, two draws and one loss for BUL in their last six outings.
And the team is also unbeaten in their last four home games – winning three and drawing one in all competitions.
The Eastern Giants have now won three games and drawn one of their last five meetings with the venoms across all competitions.
This fixture has produced a total of 65 goals and BUL have 23 to their name since 2011.
Only six stalemates have come in the games involving the sides, and four were goalless.
Vipers have won five games, drawn three and lost one in ten (10) away games to pick 18 points from a possible 30.
The Venoms have also won only one game in their last four outings in all competitions.
Match Coverage
This mouthwatering clash is live on television and all our social media channels will relay minute to minute text commentary concurrently.
BUL FC return to the Uganda Cup action at FUFA technical centre in Njeru on Sunday evening when we host ten time winners Express FC in a round of 16 showdown. It is the first home fixture for the Eastern Giants in this competition this term.
While BUL were held to a 0-0 draw by Maroons in the Uganda premier league the last time out, Alex Isabirye’s troops rejoiced in a 3-1 beating of UPDF on Friday.
The Eastern Giants will however put the stalemate behind them, and head into this Uganda Cup fixture with hopes of making it to the quarter finals, having made it here by knocking Simba (3-0) and Kyambura Rastas (1-0) out in the previous rounds.
Express made it to the last 16 after defeating MYDA 1-0 in the round of 64. Their clash at the round of 32 might have ended 1-1 against Rwenzori Lions, but they did get the job done when it mattered most, winning 8-7 on penalties.
The teams have already thrown jabs against each other this season, albeit in the UPL, with the sides drawing 1-1 in November last year at Wankulukuku where BUL had to die a little to earn a point after two defenders – Banon Tahomera and Walter Ochora were sent off in the second half of the contest.
They equally shared the previous two meetings in Uganda Cup. The first face off was in March 2019 and The Red Eagles won 1-0 in the semi final bout at Wankulukuku before the Eastern Giants revenged in 2021 at the same stage of the competition, with the same score at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on course to reaching the first cup final.
Team News
Coach Abby confirmed he will not have Reagan Kalyowa and Douglas Muganga who are out due to injury while Hillary Onek will miss due to accumulated yellow cards.
Express is a top flight team and I believe it will be hard game but we are going to fight tooth and nail to win the game and we storm quarter final.
We are playing our former coach who won stanbic Uganda cup with BUL but right now its me at BUL and I also want to win this same trophy with this team, says Coach Abby
We are delighted to welcome Rajab Mukose – better known as Daddy Alonso to BUL Football Club as our new head groundsman.
Mukose has signed a one-year contract with the Eastern Giants and will work significantly to improve and maintain the quality of the playing surface at Kyabazinga Stadium to one we are all proud of, and in time before and or during the new Uganda Premier League season commencement.
Our new groundskeeper joins having worked formerly at newly-promoted Uganda Premier League side Gaddafi FC and the now defunct Sadolin FC in different capacities.
He holds a certificate in football groundskeeping and stadium management.
Rajab is also the founder of the highly decorated Eastern Talent Soccer Academy based in Bugembe.
The Eastern Giants can confirm the acquisition of more two new players.
Najib Tusaba Gwaido, a defender, joins BUL Football Club from Onduparaka while experienced goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa comes back as free agent.
Everyone has signed a two-year contract.
New recruit Defender Najib Tusaba
“I am excited to join my dream club in Uganda. I am proud to be finally a BUL FC player and I promise better performances come the new season,” Tusaba said after inking the deal.
Kalyowa played for the Eastern Giants between 2015 and 2017 before joining URA, Kyetume and Nyamityobora respectively
Head-to-head
Express made it to the last 16 after defeating MYDA 1-0 in the round of 64. Their clash at the round of 32 might have ended 1-1 against Rwenzori Lions, but they did get the job done when it mattered most, winning 8-7 on penalties.
Team News
