SC Villa and Vipers SC went toe to toe until the final day but somehow changed coaches. Will this have a bearing on their season for better or worse? Abdallah Mubiru starts full reign at KCCA while Kitara, BUL and NEC have maintained the status quo. Will they sparkle again? Who will stay up? Our won Ismael Kiyonga runs the rule over all the 16 UPL clubs ahead of the highly anticipated new season.
SC VILLA
SC Villa eliminated from CAF Champions League at earliest stage Credit: John Batanudde
Not many saw this coming at the start of the season especially after the loss of Gift Fred and Charles Bbaale but the Jogoos went on to lift the title. It was their first in over 20 years and won it with good crisp eye-catching football thanks to Serbian gaffer Dusan Stojanovic.
However, a lot has gone under water since the championship was won with Dusan leaving as well as several key players including the skipper Kenneth Ssemakula, exciting midfielders Umar Lutalo and Abas Kyeyune as well as defenders Gavin Kizito and Joseph Kafumbe.
Morley Byekwaso, the assistant to Dusan in the title winning campaign is in charge but results in the Fufa Super 8 and CAF Champions League point to a very long season ahead. Can the title defence be achieved? Tough call
Player to watch: Patrick Jonah Kakande
Kakande in the Fufa Super 8 Credit: John Batanudde
Last season’s MVP Kakande comes into the campaign with more maturity and must be the difference for the young Villa squad in the new season as well.
He has to create as well as score goals given the lack of lethal centre forwards in the team and much of what Villa will achieve will depend on his performance.
Sadly, the Fufa Super 8 and Caf Champions League exposed him and Byekwaso will hope he is back to his best in the league.
Season Objectives
Obviously, it will be about defending the title and trying to win the Uganda Cup which they haven’t done in over ten years now.
BUL FC
Fufa Super 8 Champions, BUL FC Credit: John Batanudde
Spirits remain high in BUL despite losing some key performers from last season like Tom Ikara, Ronald Otti and Alex Kitaata.
But Abbey Kikomeko has done well getting in Isaac Wagoina and youngster Mataama in attack plus increased midfield options by signing Ramsey Kawooya.
They fall just short last season after a brilliant first half of the season but their performance in the Super 8 which they retained gives them lots of optimism to try and challenge for league honors again.
Player to watch: Jerome Kiirya
Jerome Kirya celebrates his goal against Maroons Credit: BUL
The unsung hero of the team. The driving force in the middle of the pack that links defence and attack and also has some goals from those late runs in the box.
Maintaining or even improving his form will be vital in BUL’s season.
Season Objectives
BUL’s main goal remains to challenge for the league and they will have that in mind when the season gets underway.
VIPERS SC
Vipers SC players Credit: John Batanudde
New coach Nikola Kavazovic has his work cut out as he aims to reclaim the title Vipers lost on the final day last season.
From the Super 8 outings, the Serbian appears to have assembled a young vibrant side with youngsters Enock Luyima, Abubaker Walusimbi, Kenneth Kimera and co expected to play a key role alongside the experienced Yunus Sentamu, Milton Karisa and Nicholas Wadada among others.
Without doubt, they will be among the contestants as has been the case in the previous 10 campaigns.
Player to watch: Allan Okello
Allan Okello Credit: John Batanudde
His performance in the Fufa Super 8 are reminiscent of the boy that took the league by storm while at KCCA. He looks fitter and has a point to prove which will in turn help Vipers.
Season Objectives
Going trophyless last season will be another motivating factor to spur the Venoms and the objective remains – challenging for the honors as they seek to return to continental football.
KITARA
Kitara XI versus KCCA Credit: John Batanudde
Kitara has reinforced in almost all areas and will be a force to reckon with again this season.
The duo of Denis Omedi and Jude Ssemugabi will no doubt torment backlines with Ronald Otti and Benjamin Nyakoojo acting as man mountains at the back.
Expect another campaign of challenging for trophies if they make home a fortress especially after returning home.
Player to watch: Denis Omedi
Denis Omedi Credit: John Batanudde
The coaches’ Player of the Season looks to target even a better upcoming season given his heroics in the Fufa Super 8 and on the continent where he scored twice against the Libyan opposition in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Season Objectives:
The triumph in the Stanbic Uganda Cup must have increased the appetite to go for more and that will be the aim come 2024/25.
KCCA FC
KCCA XI vs Kitara in the Fufa Super 8 Credit: John Batanudde
A poor start cost the team last season and it will be imperative to start well this season.
Abdallah Mubiru’s team collected more points than any other team since his appointment which gives the Kasasiro optimism but the loss of Muhammad Shaban who scored the most goals last season will hurt.
Derrick Nsibambi, with his experience has come to fill the boots, which he can ably do given past records but goals must come from elsewhere as well.
Player to watch: Ashraf Mugume
Ashraf Mugume Credit: John Batanudde
When fit, Mugume is the heart beat of the KCCA team. The Unsung hero who doesn’t only link defence with attack but also a knack for scoring important goals.
Season Objectives
The trophy drought at KCCA means the aim going to every season is to put an end to it. Expect the Kasasiro to be challengers.
NEC FC
NEC XI vs Kitara in the Uganda Cup final Credit: Phillip Mugabi
Never easy to stay in the premier league in the debut campaign but NEC didn’t only survive but also challenged until the last rounds.
Hussein Mbalangu was kept in charge and has reinforced with experienced Paul Mucureezi and Muzamir Mutyaba among others which sends a signal to all competitors that NEC is here to give them hard time again.
Player to watch: Allan Mugalu
Allan Mugalu, NEC midfielder
One of the best midfielders in the UPL last season. His ball holding skills, ability to beat his man and also that key pass to forwards makes him one to look out for this season.
Season Objectives
Cup finalists last season and also put up a show in the league but the management demands more. Hussein Mbalangu will surely be under pressure to be in the title mix again.
MAROONS FC
Maroons XI vs SC Villa last season in the Super 8 Credit: John Batanudde
Despite a decent last, Maroons fell off the race last season and collected just three points out of a possible 15 in the last five matches.
They will come into the season with so many new faces after losing key players David Ndihabwe, Isaac Mpagi, Hannington Ssebwalunyo, Fred Amaku and Abraham Tusubira among others but the recruitment work has been superb with the arrival of youth and experience.
Bashir Mutanda, Ambrose Kiirya, Apollo Kagogwe and Ibrahim Dada among others have come in and will surely do a good job under Muhammad Ssenfuma.
However, the performance in the Fufa Super 8 should worry the warders though.
Player to watch: Ronald Orombi
Ronald Orombi against Villa Credit: John Batanudde
One of the most experienced players not only at Maroons but the league as a whole. His endurance, character, leadership and attitude will be vital.
Season Objectives
Another top eight finish is the bare minimum requirement and that will be the target by Ssenfuma and his staff.
URA SC
URA XI against Maroons Credit: John Phil Mugabi
After several disappointing campaigns, there is optimism in the air that Alex Isabirye will build a team to compete for the league title.
Last season, the tax men used three coaches in Fred Muhumuza, David Obua and Robert Mukasa but still couldn’t mount a challenge expected of them in regards to the quality in their squad.
Bar Said Kyeyune and Najib Fesali, the four-time champions have kept most of their players from last season and what Isabirye needs to do is change their mentality.
Player to watch: Isma Mugulusi
Isma Mugulusi Credit: URA FC
The highly promising midfielder is back and sees this as an opportunity to relaunch his career which has been plagued by injuries.
After a promising pre-season and getting minutes in his legs with Fufa Select team in the Fufa Super 8, he may feature more often in the coming campaign, and it would be a story fitting for URA and the fine technician adds a new dimension to the team’s attack.
Season Objectives
New coach or not, URA is expected to compete for honors and will without doubt fight for the UPL crown and will be among the favourites to win the Stanbic Uganda Cup.
SOLTILO BRIGHT STARS
Bright Stars XI vs NEC last season Credit: John Batanudde
The Kavumba based side finished 9th last season with four points adrift of a top eight finish scoring 33 goals and conceding as many.
Joseph Mutyaba’s side were not as eye catching as previously and thus his troops led by Nelson Ssenkatuka need to improve in all areas.
Player to watch: Nelson Ssenkatuka
Credit: John Batanudde
He is amongst the most lethal forwards in the league who assures you of double figures in goal contribution and will be the go-to man again. His combination with promising youngster Shafik Kakande will be crucial in unlocking defences.
Season Objectives
They always aim to finish as high as possible but reclaiming a position in the top eight will be the bare maximum.
Express FC
After the drama and difficulty of last season, fans of the Red Eagles will be hoping for a new era of stability under Baker Mbowa. The tactician was known for his bold and intense pressing approach at Proline and Bright Stars but we saw none of that when he took over Express midway last season.
With additions like Said Kyeyune, the return of Emmanuel Wasswa and Derrick Ngobi, the side will be expected to improve although shifting from Wankulukuku to Nakivubo could also be a game changer.
Player to watch: Emmanuel Wasswa
Credit: John Batanudde
Wasswa had a very good half campaign at Express on loan from KCCA and his return is timely in terms of experience and leadership after losing Isaac Wagoina and Ramzay Kawooya among other experienced players.
Season Objectives
Tough to predict what their season could behold given the clear lack of direction from the top leadership but being competitive is the target.
MBARARA CITY
Mbarara City Credit: John Batanudde
The Ankole Lions spent most of the second half fighting to stay up which they achieved but expect a better team with character. Livingstone Mbabazi’s teams play with passion and hopefully, that will be the case after not so much activity in the market.
Player to watch: Henry Kitegenyi
Henry Kitegenyi scored many goals for Mbarara City Credit: John Batanudde
A reliable goal scorer with service and if he continues his link up play with Joseph Akandwanaho, they will be a force able to destabilize defences.
Season Objectives
Given the difficulties at the club, staying up will be target.
WAKISO GIANTS FC
Goal celebrations for Wakiso Giants against KCCA FC Credit: Mugabi Phillip
A new era ushered at the Purple Sharks with two budding tacticians in Steven Bengo and Tonny Mawejje – technicians during their playing time.
They find a nearly new team following many departures but keeping Hassan Ssenyonjo, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Ambrose Arinda, Tom Masiko and the return of Lawrence Bukenya will help guide new faces that include three loanees from Young Africans.
It could be another tough season especially with lack of a reliable goal getter after losing Kenneth Kimera, Sharif Kimbowa (back to URA after a loan spell) and Samson Kigozi.
Player to watch: Hassan Ssenyonjo
Hassan Ssenyonjo Credit: John Batanudde
The most consistent player in the division in the last 3-4 years and his stay could arguably be the best deal in the window for the Purple Sharks.
Season objectives:
Finishing in the top eight will be the aim for Bengo and Mawejje as this will ease relegation fears from last season.
UPDF
Action from Mbarara City vs UPDF last season Credit: John Philip Mugabi
After scrambling their way off the ropes in relegation tussle to secure UPL safety by the very narrowest of margins on the final day, the army side return to business with some significant changes. Paul Kiwanuka is the new man in the hotseat while Ngabo Pius is the assistant in exchange of roles.
Player to watch: Samson Kigozi
Andrew Samson Kigozi celebrates a goal while still at Police
The new signing from Wakiso Giants could breathe a new lease of life into the Bombo side but only if his attitude is right.
Season Objectives
UPDF will aim to fight for safety in less dramatic circumstance this season.
POLICE FC
Police XI that started against Ndejje University | Credit: Police FC Media
The Cops, UPL winners in 2005 return to the topflight after two years in the Fufa Big League.
To their credit, they have kept their most important players including Patrick Ogwang and in addition, got Ben Ocen back and also signed the versatile Denis Guma.
Simon Mugerwa’s squad has a mixture of youth and experience that will probably do well.
Player to watch: Isaac Ogwang
Isaac Ogwang shows off the golden boot
Ogwang was a subject of interest from several big clubs but opted to stay at Police and will be the go-to man in terms of looking for goals.
Season Objectives:
As expected, the aim will be to stay up but Police has the players and history to cause havoc and even finish in the top half.
MBALE HEROES
Mbale Heroes FC players celebrate a goal at Mbale City stadium
After more than 15 years languishing in the lower divisions, Mbale Heroes, one of the most fascinating clubs in Ugandan football are back amongst the elite.
Player to watch: Musa Malunda
The most experienced player in the team and his leadership will be vital.
Season Objectives
Surviving relegation will be the major season objective.
LUGAZI FC
Lugazi FC players celebrate
Lugazi continued their rise up on the football radar by securing promotion and will have coach Sadiq Sempigi steer them in the first top flight campaign.
The head coach has garnered experience working with experienced Livingstone Mbabazi over the years as well and with support, expect good football from Lugazi.
Player to watch: Sam Ssemugugu
The attacker played a vital role with his goals lifting the side last season after joining from UWA and will be the man to look out for.
Season objectives
Like any newly promoted side, the objective will be to survive relegation.
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