Ugandan football history was made on Thursday night as John Paul Dembe became the first Ugandan to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Dembe’s Swedish club, BK Hacken, secured their spot in the league phase after a convincing playoff victory, and the team now knows the opponents they will face in the next phase.
Häcken earned their place in Europe’s third-tier club competition following a dominant playoff performance against Romanian side CFR Cluj.
In the first leg at Gothenburg, Häcken produced a stunning 7–2 victory, with Dembe playing a crucial role by scoring twice and helping set the tone for the aggregate win.
The second leg in Cluj ended 1–0 in favor of the hosts, but Häcken advanced comfortably with a 7–3 aggregate score.
This milestone not only marks a personal achievement for Dembe but also a historic moment for Ugandan football on the European stage.
In the league phase, BK Häcken will face a competitive mix of clubs from across Europe.
Rayo Vallecano (Spain), Strasbourg (France), Shelbourne (Ireland), Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia), and AEK Larnaca (Cyprus).
BK Häcken will kick off their league campaign with a home fixture against AEK Larnaca on 2nd October 2025, at the Bravida Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden.
