SECRET FORMULA: HOW BUL FC BUILT THEIR HISTORIC 25-GAME UNBEATEN RUN
Bul FC set a new Ugandan football record with a 25-match unbeaten streak, featuring 15 wins and 10 draws. The historic run, built on a solid defence and consistent midfield, ended with a 1-0 loss to Kitara.
Bul's transition from a mediocre team to a force to be reckoned with has been gradual, not sudden. Now, they've achieved what every club dreams of: a spot in the competition's records.
They've come close before, finishing second to Villa by just one point in 2023/24 and taking third place behind NEC and Vipers last season.
Starting December 14, 2024, the Jinja side went on a 25-game unbeaten streak, setting a new standard in local football recently.
This streak included 15 wins and 10 draws, with the team scoring 36 goals and only allowing 12.
That amazing run ended on Thursday when Kitara beat Bul 1-0, thanks to Jimmy Kalema's goal in the 11th minute in Hoima. But before that loss, here's how Bul built their streak.
The journey began last December with a 1-1 draw against Vipers. Interestingly, Bul also ended the Vipers’ own 31-match home unbeaten run in 2023 with a thrilling 3-2 win.
They've earned points in all kinds of ways: tough draws against Nec and Express, solid home wins against Maroons, and a hard-fought 3-2 comeback win at UPDF.
They've had dominant home performances, like the 4-0 win over Lugazi and the 3-0 victory against Mbale Heroes.
They've won at tough places like Wakiso, defeated rivals such as Vipers, Kitara, and SC Villa, and stayed focused in tight games where concentration was key.
Solid Defense
Their defence has been strong, led by goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa, who played in 17 of the 18 matches and kept 10 clean sheets before leaving the club. Tom Ikara, his replacement, has stepped up this season, playing all six games so far with four clean sheets and only two goals conceded.
In front of them, Bul has relied on a consistent backline.
Captain Walter Ochora and Nicholas Mwere only missed games due to suspensions. Mwere played 16 of the 25 games, and Ochora played 14.
Hillary Onek has been incredibly reliable, missing only one match in the entire 25-game run, providing stability to the team.
Consistent Midfield
The midfield has been equally consistent. Pascal Ngobi and Martin Aprem have played in 20 matches during the run, and both have played in all six games this season.
Ngobi, in particular, has played every minute so far, showing how vital he is to Bul’s transitions and winning the ball back.
Up front, it's been a team effort. Karim Ndugwa, who joined at the start of the run, played 14 of 18 matches, scoring eight goals, but has had a slow start this season.
As he slowed down, Jerome Kirya stepped up. He has played in 22 of the 25 matches and has two goals and three assists in the last six games.
New signing Seiri Arigumaho has added fresh energy, scoring two goals in his first two starts, giving Bul a new edge.
Even the young players have contributed. Swabiri Mpassa and Isaac Musiima have both played in 16 matches, while Salim Sowedi and Tom Babalanda have been involved with seven and three appearances, respectively.
New players have kept the team fresh without changing its identity.
Overcoming Challenges
The unbeaten run also survived the Uganda Cup defeat to Kitara, Bul's only loss during this time.
That match led to suspensions for Kirya, Ochora, and Mwere. Coach Abbey Kikomeko was also suspended for six months, but the team remained steady.
Assistant coach Simeone Masaba won four of the five remaining matches after April 29 and secured a draw against URA before leaving.
James Magala then oversaw two wins over Maroons (1-0) and Buhimba Saints (3-0) and a solid draw at Mbarara City.
Home Advantage
Their record might have been even better if they hadn't spent time playing home matches at Lugazi. During that period, they only managed one win, four draws, and two losses to UPDF and Mbarara City.
“It affected our season,” Bul’s chief executive officer Joseph Mutaka said. The numbers agree. Returning to Njeru helped them regain their rhythm.
They have played 13 home games in Njeru, winning nine and drawing four.
Early Travel, Good Planning
Bull’s attention to detail is also clear in how they handle away games. They travel early and get settled before the match.
Their long trip to Hoima this week likely began three or four days prior, showing good planning. Mutaka said:
“Our chairman always stresses early planning. Before matches, we make sure players are in camp on time.” These small things have made a big difference.
15 wins, 10 draws, 36 goals scored, 12 goals conceded
KCCA BOUNCE BACK: KASASIRO BOYS OVERCOME RECENT SLUMP WITH A GRITTY 2-1 BUL WIN
KCCA are back: Discover how Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Herbert Achai secured a 2-1 win over Bul to rejoin the UPL title race.
Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Herbert Achai both found the net for KCCA, either side of a Denis Sewagudde goal, in a win that really should let coaches Ssenyondo and Jackson Magera breathe a little easier.
Zeal. Hunger. Character. Attitude. That’s what KCCA coach Brian Ssenyondo wanted to see after his team got handed their third loss in five games last week, a 3-1 defeat to NEC that stung. This time, he finally got it. KCCA showed all those qualities and pulled off a gritty 2-1 victory over Bul in the Uganda Premier League at Phillip Omondi Stadium on Wednesday night.
Ahimbisibwe and Achai scored for KCCA, with Sewagudde briefly levelling for Bul, and the result means Ssenyondo and Magera can at least feel the pressure lift for now.
But maybe more importantly, this win drags KCCA back into the title race. They’re now sitting on 33 points from 17 games, just five behind leaders Vipers.
The game started off tight, both sides feeling each other out, but Bul looked a little sharper early on. Even so, it was KCCA who broke the deadlock in the 31st minute with their first real chance. They overloaded the right, Saidi Mayanja whipped in a cross, and Ahimbisibwe, timing his run just right, dived in for a header. That’s his seventh goal of the season, and honestly, he’s been one of the few bright spots among the club’s new signings.
KCCA then had to dig in. Achai made a crucial block to deny Karim Ndugwa after a cross from Reagan Kalyowa. But just before halftime, the tricky Sewagudde bent in a free kick that completely wrong-footed KCCA keeper Mutwalibi Mugolofa, and Bul were level.
After the break, KCCA rediscovered their missing edge. Four minutes into the second half, left-back Achai stormed forward, played a quick one-two with Ashraf Mugume, then hammered the ball past Bul’s Ikara at the near post.
From there, KCCA held Bul at bay, sealing a rare home-and-away double over their Njeru-based rivals, who remain eighth on 20 points.
Earlier that day, Lugazi captain Richard Ayiko grabbed the winner as his side edged UPDF 1-0 in Najjembe, giving them a six-point cushion above the relegation zone. And at the bottom, Calvary finally picked up their fifth point of the season with a goalless draw against Express in Yumbe.
TITLE RACE HEAT: HOW VIPERS DROPPING HOME POINTS GIVES KITARA A CHANCE TO STRIKE
Vipers SC stay top of the UPL with 38 points! Discover how Warren Buule’s equaliser for NEC FC shook up the title race at Kitende.
NEC are stuck in seventh place with 24 points from 17 games. Vipers, even after dropping home points for just the second time this season, hang on to the top spot with 38.
Honestly, NEC have drawn more games than they'd like, nine out of 17. That’s a lot of stalemates in the Startimes Uganda Premier League. But this time, their 1-1 draw away to the reigning champs, Vipers, felt like more than just another point. It actually meant something, especially under the lights at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Tuesday evening.
Vipers came out flying. They grabbed the lead early and pretty much ran the first half. Six minutes in, Milton Karisa latched onto a slick through ball from Karim Watambala and curled a lovely left-footed shot past NEC keeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo. That was Karisa’s sixth goal of the season, and for a minute there, it looked like the Vipers were about to run riot, just like they did in their 4-0 demolition of Buhimba last time at home.
NEC looked shaky. Coach Badru Kaddu had seen enough and made two early changes, bringing on Shamir Kimwero and Joseph Dhata for Rashid Kawawa and Daniel Shabene inside 25 minutes. The switch helped steady things, but NEC didn’t really come to life until the second half.
Then, with 15 minutes left, substitute Emmanuel Kulanga swung in a cross, and Warren Buule was there at the far post to head in the equaliser. That goal was well earned; NEC were much better after the break. Richard Basangwa, playing up front, kept his old team busy and even got Bady Da Silva and Enoch Ssebagala booked. Ssebagala didn’t last much longer, getting subbed off after a rough tackle on his former side.
NEC has been busy in the mid-season transfer window. They’ve already added six new faces, and more are on the way. Sam Ssekamatte, who scored five goals for UPDF in the first round, watched from the stands with the rest of the unused squad.
So, NEC holds on to seventh, Vipers stay top, but Kitara could shake things up if they beat URA on Thursday. This title race isn’t done yet.
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