The StarTimes Uganda Premier League transfer window is still open and activity across all twelve top-flight clubs has been massive ahead of the new season that officially tips off on August 28.
Vipers SC, winners of the title last season, have moved early, pulling in Farouk Miya and Ceaser Manzoki on free transfers, striker Loyce Marius Mbaba from Stella Club d'Ajame, Jacques Mangoba from AS Simba, Joel Sserunjogi from rivals KCCA, Nicholas Mwere from BUL and Princewill Biwerebo Tarabina from Plateau United.
The Venoms have lost a long list of names too. Out go Bashir Ssekagya, Alfred Mudekereza, Livingstone Mulondo to Lugazi, Grant Matsiko to Entebbe UPPC, Robin Kane Hney, Nicholas Wadada, Taddeo Lwanga to AFC Leopards, Frank Katongole to BUL and Rogers Torach to CS Constantine.
Champions Sport Uganda will run updates as more names clear the dotted line.
How have the chasing clubs strengthened?
KCCA have signed Ibrahim Kasule from New York Red Bulls II, Yunus Sibira and Maxwell Owachigiu from Kitara, Elvis Ngonde and Charles Lwanga from SC Villa, plus Brian Jjara on loan. The Kasasiro boys have waved off Gavin Kizito, Peter Magambo, Umar Lutalo to BUL, Joel Sserunjogi to Vipers, Joao Gabriel, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Rogers Mugisha, Derrick Nsibambi, Sharif Ssengendo, Charles Lukwago and Steven Oyirwoth.
SC Villa have brought in Steven Mugisha from Bulemeezi Ssaza, Isaac Gumperom from Young Elephants, Tony Zuzu Asiku from Arua Airfield, Hassan Matovu from Maroons and John Asiimwe from Express. Out the door went Charles Lwanga and Elvis Ngonde to KCCA, Norman Angunfidru to Kigezi Home Boyz, Misi Diego Ssemugera to Kitara, Jean Brady Wokorach to BUL, Ali Bayo to Police and Hassan Mubiru to Azam.
BUL, league runners-up, have recruited Karim Ndugwa and Jerome Kiirya from BUL's rivals, Misi Diego Ssemugera from SC Villa, Jackson Ssembatya from NEC, Christopher Bonny from Ghana, Nicholas Kasozi, Ivan Akera from Al Hilal Juba, Joel Mutakubwa from Wolwalo Adigrat and Martin Kiiza. James Alitho, Aziz Saleh, Yunus Sibira to KCCA, Muhammad Shaban, Sadiq Ssekyembe, Amir Kakomo, Frank Kasumba and Eric Tumwine have all left.
URA have picked up Enock Tumwesigye from Kigezi Home Boyz, Henrique Lubwama from UPDF, Fahad Bayo as a free agent and Mustafa Mujjuzi from Entebbe UPPC. The Tax Collectors have lost Muzamir Mutyaba, Patrick Bayiga, Joseph Dhata, Jackson Ssembatya to Kitara, Siraje Sentamu, Timothy Muwanguzi and Joseph Sseremba.
Express FC have had a busy window. In come Anwar Ntege, Swadiki Moro from Buhimba, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Tah Kalvin Barni and Thomas Ochungu from BUL, Sharif Ssengendo from KCCA, Grant Matsiko from Vipers, Reich Kokolo Triomphe from Coton Sport of Cameroon, Ronald Kayondo from UPDF, Yannick Mitrail from Fujairah in the UAE and Ibrahim Orit from BUL. Out go Mustafa Mujjuzi to NEC, Eric Ssenjobe, Meddie Kyeyune to URA, Samuel Nsubuga, John Kokas Alou, Joel Male, Marvin Mukiibi and Fazil Tumwine.
NEC FC have signed Cyrus Kibande and Jeans Braddy Wokorach from SC Villa, Umar Lutalo from KCCA, Faizo Matovu and George Masembe from URA, Derrick Byabachwezi from Kitara, George Kaddu from Tusker in Kenya and Frank Katongole from Vipers. Jerome Kiirya and Karim Ndugwa to Kitara, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Kelvin Barni, Thomas Ochungu to Entebbe UPPC, Bakali Magunda and Isaac Wagoina have all left.
The talking point doing the rounds in Kampala is whether the chasing pack have done enough to close the gap on Vipers SC, or whether the Venoms have simply reloaded a winning squad with clever free-agent picks.
Compiled from club announcements via Kawowo Sports.
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Source: Kawowo Sports
