By Ronald Lusulire
The Startimes Uganda Premier League 2023/24 season is starting on September 15, 2023, and local football fans are highly anticipating a great season.
A number of clubs are busy with pre-season activities, including intensive training and conducting transfers to fine-tune their squads.
In this article, we bring you clubs to look out for in the new season 2023/24 of the league.
Vipers SC
The defending champions are doing all it takes to ensure they stay atop of the league. Not only did they start their pre-season earlier, but have also been busy in the transfer window.
The Venoms began business by signing two Brazilians in forward; Giancarlo Lopez Rodriguez and midfielder Luis Otavio, before landing the services of Brazilian tactician Leanardo Martins Neiva.
They have since made more signings in different departments such as defenders Paul Patrick Mbowa, Grant Matsiko and Richard Matovu; an indicator that they will be one of the teams to watch come next season.
KCCA FC
Another team that is well prepared to reclaim their dominance in the UPL is the Kasasiro boys.
The 13-time UPL champions have also been busy in the market, making a number of foreign and local signings including bringing on board Portuguese tactician, Sergio Traguil who replaced interim coach, Jackson Mayanja.
URA FC
The tax collectors are the busiest side in the transfer window by far. They have so far signed over 12 players in the transfer window with the aim of restoring their old days’ glory.
From goalkeeping to defense, midfield and attack, URA FC has made huge additions such as Goalkeepers Denis Otim, Rogers Omedwa, defenders Enock Walusimbi, teenage left-back, Amis Bwangani, midfielders Laban Tibita, Norman Namanya, Ibrahim Wammanah, teenagers Sekibengo Godfrey, Kisolo John Innocent, forwards Sharif Kimbowa, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, teenager Kisiriko Denis, and more.
However, on a sad note, the club lost veteran coach Sam Timbe, who suddenly died as they were preparing for the FUFA Super 8 semi-final clash against KCCA FC and was laid to rest in Namayumba, Kaloke, Nakaseke district.
With all those additions, the Tax Collectors are highly looked up to as one of the teams that will compete for this season’s title.
With the demise of URA FC head Timbe (RIP), his assistant Fred Muhumuza could be trusted to lead the club which means all coaches of the above-mentioned clubs will be hunting for their first Startimes Uganda Premier League title.
Kitara FC
The Hoima-based side and FUFA Big League champions seem to have learned from their previous mistakes that cost them relegation just one season into the UPL between 2020/21.
Since regaining promotion to the top tier, they have been busy in the transfer market as they aim to make a statement this time round.
They have made numerous additions mixed with upcoming and already tested talent under new coach Brian Senyondo who came from UPDF FC.
Amongst the new signings include FUFA Big League top scorer Denis Omedi, Brian Aheebwa, Jude Ssemugabi, Frank Tumwesigye Zaga, defender Benjamin Nyakoojo Kabon Living, etc all whose experience in the league can’t be doubted thus making them one of the teams to watch.
Defending champions Vipers SC AND KCCA FC will have some of their home games played under floodlights at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende and MTN Omondi Stadium Lugogo respectively, while the Tax Collectors will host their matches at the all-green Mehta stadium Lugazi but not under floodlights.
