With the Azam Uganda Premier League taking a break of close to two months, a number of clubs have reinforced their squads with high hopes of better displays in the second round.
Soka25east.com’s Ronnie Lusulire brings you different teams and some of the players they recruited in the just concluded January transfer windows.
KCCA FC
The table leaders promoted six players from their academy to the senior team. These include, exciting midfielders Allan Okello, Herbert Achai, Mustafa Kiiza, Peter Magambo, Noel Nassasira and Julius Poloto.
SC Villa,
The premier league record champions acquired the services of former Proline left back Farouk Musisi, Uganda Cranes star Emmanuel Okwi, fast winger Sulaiman Luzige, among others.
Onduparaka FC,
The Betway sponsored team added midfielder Iddi Babu, lanky forward Fahad Toko and KIU custodian Austine Opoka onto their ranks.
Soana FC,
Having finished fourth in the first round, Soana FC are focusing to end the league in a respectable position. In this way, they have signed goalkeeper Franco Oringa, Francis Olaki, Lukooya Baker, Paddy Muhumuza and Mbabali Nasir.
Police FC,
Arguably the most busy side in the January windows, the Cops under new coach Abdullah Mubiru got the services of Hakim Senkumba, Martin Mpuuga, Brian Ochwo, Yasir Mugume, Wiila on loan from KCCA FC, Saka Mpiima, goalkeeper Yasin Mugabi and William Wadri with a lot of hopes in them to help the team survive relegation.
The Saints FC,
The bombo based side acquired the services of former Proline fast pacy winger Moses Lubega.
Express FC,
Another busy side in the January windows with nine new recruits that is Daniel Otto, Sulaiman Jjingo, Joseph Semujju, goalkeeper Katongole Fahad, Ssebaduka Juma, ,goalkeeper Nadir Muhammad, Makumbi Remy, Nsubuga Rashid and Ochaya Muhammad Sharif.
Lweza FC,
The Kajjansi based side went mostly for experience in the January windows. They signed Manko Kaweesa, Ronald Muganga, Ismail Kazibwe, goalkeeper Ivan Mansur Mutumba, Jeremiah Ssebuyira, Ziraba Sharif, Moses Nsubuga, Charles Ssempa and Deo Obadanga.
Bul FC.
The busiest Jinja based side together with Kiriinya Jinja SS. They managed to sign goalkeepers Brian Bwete and Eric Dhaira, Asuman Alishe, Robert Anchema, Isaac Sserunkuma, Yaseri Waibi, Patrick Sembuya, Kawooya Farouk, Fred Agandu, Razak Saheed, Villa Oromchan.
Sadolin Paints,
They finished ahead of any other Jinja team in the first round, they also made a few signings including Karim Ndugwa, Deo Katumba, Yunus Baker and Deo Othieno.
Kiriinya Jinja SS.
The school boys were very busy in the windows as they aim at surviving relegation. They acquired the services of veteran custodian Hannington Kalyesubula, Solomon Mbowa, Moses Kamya, Isaac Ntege, Bashir Mutanda, John Semazzi, Collins Agaba, Baize Anthony, Ivan Lubaale and George Senkaaba.
URA FC,
The tax collectors added former Simba SC strikers to their ranks.
Vipers SC.
The Kitende based side added Milton Kaliisa, talented midfielder Moses Waisswa, Mike Sserumaga, Aziz Kemba and also promoted Ochan Derrick, Asiku Bashir and Francis Onekalit to the senior side.
Bright stars FC,
They signed Masaza cup product Yafesi Mubiru.
Proline FC,
Proline FC weren’t so busy in the windows but nevertheless they made three additions to their squad including goalkeeper Godwin Buule, hard tackling defender Ronnie Kisekka and right back Asiku Andrew who returned from his loan spell at hope FC.
Which team made the best signings?
Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com