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Vipers part ways with coach Ivan Minnaert

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Uganda Premier League Champions, Vipers SC, have on Sunday confirmed that their working relationship with coach Ivan Minnaert has come to an end.

The Venoms, who won the League title under the stewardship of the Belgian tactician, have chosen not to renew his contract.

“Vipers Sports Club is pleased to announce that it has mutually parted ways with head coach Ivan Minnaert, after the expiry of his contract. The club appreciates Minnaert’s dedicated service and professionalism to Vipers SC and wishes him the best in his career path,” reads a statement from the club website.

Despite guiding Vipers to their 8th League crown, there were dissenting voices about how the team played under Minnaert. It is therefore not surprising that after winning a League title, the club chose not to renew his contract.

Minnaert joined Vipers on 18th July 2025 from Liberian Premier League outfit Fassell Football Club, which he guided to the Championship the previous season (2024/25).

The Belgian gaffer has had a long trek in Africa managing several teams. Previously, he worked with Libyan top-flight outfit Al-ttihad Tripoli, which he helped to the Championship in the 2020/21 campaign.

Among the other teams he managed are Union Estepona CF and CD San Roque in Spain, Malian side Djoliba AC, Kenya’s AFC Leopards and Rwanda Premier League side Rayon Sport FC across two separate spells.

He also managed in Guinea Conakry, at AS Kaloum Star, at Rwanda’s Mukura Victory FC and at South African side Black Leopards FC.

The post Vipers part ways with coach Ivan Minnaert appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

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Recounting the key moments of Wakiso Giants eight-year journey

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Wakiso Giants founder Musa Ssebulime aka Atagenda confirmed on Saturday that the club will shut up shop, bringing the curtains down on an eight-year journey (June 2018 to June 2026).

From a team that made a statement at birth, given its pompous entry in 2018, the fans, marquee signings and new vibe to the League, it is unfortunate that the journey has been short-lived.

Ssebulime took to his X account to confirm the club will wind up business after their final FUFA Big League game away to Young Elephants. Surprisingly, the owner did not even put the club up for sale but rather put an end to it.

“I gave everything. Time, money, energy& belief. Sadly, football has a way of punishing those who genuinely invest in it. Some decisions are painful, but necessary. The biggest mistake is expecting fairness in a system that feeds on ur passion and gives nothing back,” he wrote.

In this article, Kawowo Sports looks at the key moments that defined Wakiso Giants’ journey across the eight years.

5th July 2018 – Reports confirm the acquisition of Kamuli Park FC

Kawowo Sports broke the news that a group of businessmen led by Musa Ssebulime had bought off Kamuli Park FC at a reported fee of UGX 100M.

25th September 2018 – Change of name from Kamuli Park to Wakiso Giants.

The club was allowed to change the name from Kamuli Park to Wakiso Giants ahead of the 2018-19 FUFA Big League season. However, they hosted their games at Kyabazinga Stadium, Bugembe, in Jinja because the initial team hailed from the Eastern Region and thus could not move to another region immediately.

1st November 2018 – First competitive game for Wakiso Giants.

A FUFA Big League encounter against Amuka Bright Stars in Lira that ended in a 2-2 draw. Abdu Karim Kasule and Clinton Kamugisha scored for the Purple Sharks.

Wakiso Giants Starting XI

Robert Ssaka, Muwadda Kateregga, Suleiman Jjingo, Hassan Wasswa Dazo, Fahad Kawooya, Richard Kigozi, Isaac Ntege, Ayub Kisaliita, Abdul Karim Kasule, Feni Ali, James Kasibante

2nd May 2019 – Wakiso Giants gain promotion to the Uganda Premier League after overcoming Entebbe FC 2-1 in the penultimate round of the 2018/19 FUFA Big League season. Norman Ogik and Ivan Kiweewa scored the goals.

14th May 2019 – Refurbishment of the Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium starts

After confirming their promotion to the Uganda Premier League, Wakiso Giants embarked on plans of setting up a new home ground and indeed, WAKISHA playground (Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium) was the perfect choice. They had actually wanted to use the same venue for their home games in the FUFA Big League, a request that was turned down.

The refurbishment works began on 15th May, levelling of the bumpy surface, improving the drainage channels, re-greening, perimeter fencing and renovation of the dressing rooms.

May 16th 2019 – Unveiling of the team bus

Wakiso Giants launched a new team bus that was ‘gifted’ by singer Dr Jose Chameleone.

1st July 2019 – Launch of season tickets

For a newly promoted team, Wakiso Giants was surely punching above its weight, doing things that even traditional clubs were just dreaming of.

The club launched season tickets, coming in three categories: Gold, Silver and Bronze.

6th August 2019 – First competitive game at Kabaka Kyabaggu

Wakiso Giants faced KCCA in the FUFA Super 8, and this was the first competitive game for the Purple Sharks at their new home. KCCA won the game 2-0 courtesy of goals from Allan Okello and Sadat Anaku.

31st August 2019 – First Uganda Premier League game

Wakiso Giants played their first game in the top-tier league on this day, suffering a 1-0 loss to KCCA courtesy of Allan Okello’s goal.

Wakiso Giants FC Starting XI

Yasin Mugabi (Captain), Muwadda Kateregga, Simon Namwanja, Fahad Kawooya, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Hakim Ssekumba, Tom Masiko, Hassan Ssenyonjo, Viane Ssekajugo, Geoffrey Sserunkuma

Substitutes

Derrick Emukule, Karim Ndugwa, Duncan Sseninde, Ayub Kisalita, Swaib Mudde, Aggrey Madoi, Muwadda Mawejje

Coach: Kefa Kisala

3rd September 2019 – First Win in the Uganda Premier League

On matchday two of the 2018/19 season, Wakiso Giants registered their first win, defeating URA 3-1 at home. Tom Masiko and second-half substitute Karim Ndugwa (brace) got the goals for the Purple Sharks.

28th September 2024 – Hassan Ssenyonjo honoured

For a remarkable career at the club, Wakiso Giants named one of the stands at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadiun after captain Hassan Ssenyonjo who played at the club between 2019 -2025.

10th May 2025 – Wakiso Giants relegated from UPL

After five seasons in the Uganda Premier League, the club got relegated after a 5-0 loss to KCCA in Lugogo.

6th June 2027 – Relegation to Regional League

After one season in the FUFA Big League, the team sank even lower, dropping to the Regional League after ending the campaign second from bottom on 31 points.

However, club owner Ssebulime instead revealed the club will no longer continue to exist but rather wind up business for good.

The post Recounting the key moments of Wakiso Giants eight-year journey appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

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FUFA Women’s Cup: Kampala Queens, Lady Doves secure semifinal slots

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Kampala Queens and Lady Doves progressed to the semifinals of the 2026 FUFA Women’s Cup after overcoming their respective opponents on Saturday.

Before the start of the two games, a moment of silence was observed in honour of the late She Corporate midfielder Cissy Nantongo who was laid to rest on Friday in Mpigi.

FUFA ordered for the moment to be observed across all its competitions played this weekend.

Kampala Queens edged St. Noa 1-0 at MTN-Omondi Stadium, Lugogo courtesy of Joanita Ainembabazi’s lone goal.

The goal came in the 66th minute with Ainembabazi lobbing the ball beyond onrushing goalkeeper Lillian Nakirya.

In the other game, Lady Doves won with the same scoreline, edging UCU Lady Cardinals thanks to Cecilia Apiding’s goal.

The other two semifinalists will be played on Sunday. She Maroons will host holders Amus College while Kawempe Muslim Ladies will take on Wakiso Hills.

The post FUFA Women’s Cup: Kampala Queens, Lady Doves secure semifinal slots appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

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Joy & Grief in Mbale city as Kataka is finally promoted to UPL, Mbale Heroes demoted to regional league

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FUFA Big League 2025/26: Match Day 30 Results:

  • Soltilo Bright Stars 0-2 Kataka
  • Mbale Heroes 2-6 Iganga United
  • Nebbi Central 0-1 Paidha Black Angels
  • Bunyaruguru United 0-1 Kaaro Karungi
  • Kiyinda Boys 0-3 Ntugasaze
  • Onduparaka 0-0  Blacks Power
  • Kigezi Homeboyz 0-1 CATDA
  • Young Elephant Academy 4-0 Wakiso Giants

The last match day of the 2025/26 FUFA Big League season was held on Saturday, 6th June 2026 with the eight closing games.

A total of twenty (20) goals were scored on the final match day across various venues.

Four clubs were confirmed promoted to the Uganda Premier League; Blacks Power (champions), Ntugasaze, Kataka and Kigezi Home Boyz.

These now make the Uganda Premier League a total of 18 clubs for the season 2026/27; replacing the two demoted sides; Buhimba United Saints and Calvary.

Kataka Football Club

Consequently, four clubs were demoted to the respectively regional leagues.

Mbale Heroes (17), Wakiso Giants (31), Soltilo Bright Stars (32) and Nebbi Central (34) were all relegated.

Mbale City has different emotions with Mbale Heroes suffering the drop to regional league after a dismissal season.

The 2-6 home loss to Iganga United was the final nail in their coffin as they go down to the Eastern regional league.

On a bright footing, Kataka registered a 2-0 victory on the road over Soltilo Bright Stars to confirm their promotion to the highest level on the pyramid of Uganda’s football.

Ali Ssentamu opened the scoring with a first half penalty before Usama Khayemba scored during the closing stages of the game for the victory that lifted them to 51 points, above Kigezi Home Boyz who lost 0-1 at home.

Champions:

Blacks Power Football Club from Lira City won the trophy on the final day of the season after picking a point from their goal-less stalemate on the road away to Onduparaka at the Aba Bet Green Light Stadium.

Ahead of their crowning ceremony on Sunday (7th June 2026), Blacks Power marked their return to the top flight division.

Ntugasaze completed the season in second position with 53 points after a well worked out 3-0 victory over Kiyinda Boys.

It was another grief story in West Nile region when Paidha Black Angels’ 1-0 victory relegated Nebbi Central.

Elsewhere, Kaaro Karungi won 1-0 over Bunyaruguru United in Kasese.

CATDA shocked Kigezi Home Boyz 1-0 at the Al Madina stadium in Kabale as Young Elephants smiled past Wakiso Giants 4-0 at the Elepahants Park in Nwoya district.

The FUFA Big League is organized by the FUFA Competitions department, now headed by Shawn Mubiru who replaced Aisha Nalule last month.

The post Joy & Grief in Mbale city as Kataka is finally promoted to UPL, Mbale Heroes demoted to regional league appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

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