Wakiso Giants Braced For Challenging Stint in FUFA Big League

2025/26 FUFA Big League Match Day 1

Sunday, 28th September 2025 at 4:00PM

*Paidha Black Angels SC vs Nebbi Central FC – Bar Okoro Stadium, Zombo

*Blacks Power FC vs Onduparaka FC – Ebenezer Univ Play Ground, Lira

*Ntugasaze FC vs Kyinda Boys FC – Mityana Ssaza Ground

*Catda FC vs Kigezi Homeboyz FC – Bugolobi Coffee Grounds

*Iganga United FC vs Mbale Heroes FC – Iganga Ssaza Grounds

*Wakiso Giants FC vs Young Elephant – Wakisha Recreation Ground

*Kaaro Karungi FC vs Bunyaruguru United FC – Kyamate Play Ground, Ntungamo

*Kataka FC vs Soltilo Bright Stars FC – Mbale City Stadium

Wakiso Giants will be aiming for a perfect start when they host Young Elephants FC at Wakissha Recreation Ground on Sunday as the FUFA Big League season kicks off.

Relegated from the Uganda Premier League last season, Wakiso Giants join Bright Stars and Mbale Heroes in the second tier after a disappointing campaign. Their demotion was confirmed in May following a heavy 5-0 defeat to KCCA FC, ending a six-year stay in Uganda’s top flight.

Nicknamed the Purple Sharks, Wakiso Giants have made changes in their technical bench, appointing Baker Mbowa and Hamza Lutalo as head coaches, replacing Steven Bengo and Tonny Mawejje.

Assistant Coach Lutalo expressed optimism ahead of the season opener. “We have prepared for at least a month for the new season and we believe that we have done enough to at least start with a win in our first game,” he said.

“We have made good recruitments in the transfer window despite losing a few players. We believe we have a strong squad and want to do everything possible to return to the Uganda Premier League.”

Several players have departed the club, including Hassan Ssenyonjo, Hudson Mbalire, Marvin Oshaba, James Alitho, Ambrose Alinda, Marvin Mukiibi, William Luwagga Kizito, and Moses Oloya.

Midfielders Rahmat Ssenfuka, Mulamba Blanchar, Joseph Ayebare, Musa Ssegujja, and Abdul Ssemakula have been retained.

New additions include Bashir Mutanda, Pius Wanji, Allan Galandi, and Duncan Sseninde.

Wakiso Giants will face a Young Elephants team from Nwoya District, who earned promotion from the Regional League after defeating Nebbi Central in the playoffs.

Tough Times:

Life in the Big League is more challenging than in the top flight.

This season features long trips to places like Zombo, Lira, Mbale, Ntungamo, Rubirizi, Kabale, and others. These journeys not only stretch the club’s finances but also take a toll on the players.

Unlike in the Uganda Premier League, where gate collections from matches against big sides like KCCA, Vipers, Villa, and Kitara are significant, lower-division games rarely draw large crowds.

Officiating standards are another topic altogether. Club president Musa Atagenda once revealed that during their 2018/19 Big League campaign, they faced an opponent who fielded 12 players in a match.