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.
BUL FC is pleased to announce the signing of Bakali Magumba from Mbarara City. The 27 year-old defender has signed a two-year contract with the Eastern Giants.
Defender Bakali Magumba
On joining BUL, Magumba said;
“It’s a dream come true for me to be here now. I have been a fan of this great club since childhood and always dreamt of playing for the team.”
“BUL is our home team and I am proud that they have given me the chance to comeback home.”
“This is the team I have always wanted to play for, it’s the team that I have been working hard to impress, and now that I have got the opportunity to put on these colors, I and my fellow players shall fight hard to achieve the team’s goals.”
Magumba comes with a wealthy of experience in the topflight having featured for Busoga United (2017-2018) and Gaddafi FC (2019 -2023) in the Uganda premier league before he was transferred to Mbarara City.
The defender also plays for Busoga Province and was named on the best eleven of the FUFA Drum in the last edition.
Coach Abbey unveiling Bakali Magumba
He began his career as a goalkeeper at Tahweed Academy before converting into a defender.
Defender Ronald Otti has left the club after the expiration of his contract.
Ronald Otti celebrates with teammates
During his two-year tenure at BUL, Otti helped the team win the Super 8 trophy in 2023 and was very instrumental as the Eastern Giants finished second last season.
Defender Ronald Otti in action
Everyone at BUL FC appreciates his contribution to the team and wishes him the very best at his new club. Thank you.
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
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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 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
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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.
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.
Head-to-head
