The long summer transfer window is fast approaching and Uganda Premier League teams will be eager to bolster their squads as they look forward to stout showings for the 2025/26 campaign.
A mammoth of players have run down their contracts at their respective teams and will seek greener environments elsewhere, much to the joys of some teams and tears for the rest…
We delve into some of the top players whose contracts have run down following the end of the 2024/25 season.
Patrick Paul Mbowa – Vipers
The defender-cum-midfielder joined Vipers SC at the start of the 2023/24 campaign on a two-year contract and has been a success at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
Operating as a defender and a midfielder depending on the need, he has racked up 56 appearances across the Uganda Premier League, the Uganda Cup and the CAF Champions League preliminaries. He’s been pivotal in Vipers’ journey to the 2024/25 domestic double. – A new contract at Vipers is hugely likely.
Patrick Henry Kaddu – Kitara
The veteran striker is one of the many players who joined Kitara at the start of the 2024/25 season on one-year contracts. He is set to walk away from the Royal Park, Butema, should they deny gum fresh terms.
He has played 20 Uganda Premier League matches for the Royals in the preceding campaign, scoring five goals and registering three assists. He’s one of head coach Wasswa Bbosa’s most trusted knights. A new contract is on the horizon.
Jude Ssemugabi – Kitara
Ssemugabi has continued to grow in stature and reputation over the years, and the improvement was evident in the previous campaign. He scored 10 and assisted thrice in 24 League games, bettering the six goals and two assists managed across 28 appearances in the 2023/24 season.
Reports have linked the versatile attacker, who can operate both as a winger and a striker, to a switch to double champions Vipers SC, as he’ll be a free agent on June 30.
Jonah Patrick Kakande – SC Villa
After three hugely successful seasons at Uganda Premier League record holders SC Villa, Kakande’s contract is up and they will be a free agent in less than a month.
With 19 goals and 13 assists registered in the 71 League matches played, Kakande has done more than enough to earn himself a lucrative offer at any of the top teams in the country or even a decent move outside the country.
Usama Arafat Kiza – KCCA
Usama Arafat’s transfer or renewal at KCCA is one of the stories that will make the biggest headlines in this window. This is after four seasons of promise at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.
Despite an injury-laden campaign, he still managed five goals and as many assists in 22 Uganda Premier League games. In the four seasons at KCCA, he has played 84 league matches, scoring 15 goals and assisting on 11 occasions. He’s a major target for Vipers SC.
