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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
HISTORY MADE: WHY UGANDA CRANES USED THREE GOALKEEPERS IN A SINGLE AFCON NIGHTMARE
Uganda’s AFCON run ends in a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria. The Cranes used three goalkeepers in a match that saw Salim Magoola sent off.
Uganda's run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is over after a tough 3-1 loss to Nigeria. They didn't win a single game and are out after the group stage. Nigeria finished top of Group C with 9 points, while Uganda ended up last with only 1 point. Uganda had trouble scoring and let in the most goals, showing they still have a ways to go.
Nigeria came out strong, keeping Uganda pinned back. Their pressure paid off when Paul Onuachu scored in the 28th minute after a great pass from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, putting Nigeria ahead.
Uganda couldn't get into the game and barely created any chances. Karl Uche Ikpeazu was isolated up front. They wasted several set-piece opportunities, and captain Denis Onyango had to make a bunch of saves. He even needed treatment a few times before being subbed out at halftime.
Things got worse in the 57th minute when Onyango's replacement, Salim Jamal Magoola, got a red card for handling the ball outside the box while trying to stop Victor Osimhen. Uganda was down to ten men.
Nafian Alionzi came in, making Uganda the first team in the tournament to use three goalkeepers in one game.
Nigeria took advantage of the situation, and Raphael Onyedika scored twice in the 62nd and 66th minutes, making it 3-0. Game over for Uganda.
Uganda managed to pull one back in the 75th minute when Rogers Kassim Mato scored after a nice play with Allan Okello. It got the 11,545 fans excited, but Nigeria just slowed the game down and won easily.
With this win, Nigeria finished Group C undefeated. Uganda finished last, having let in the most goals in the group.
In the other game, Tanzania drew 1-1 with Tunisia. This meant that both teams, along with Nigeria, moved on. Tanzania made it to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Uganda lost 3-1 to Tunisia, drew 1-1 with Tanzania, and lost 3-1 to Nigeria. They're still waiting for their first-ever win in the AFCON finals.
For head coach Joseph Paul Put, the tournament had some good moments, but it also showed that Uganda needs to be more consistent, disciplined, and clinical to compete at the highest level.
TUESDAY PREVIEW: PAUL PUT PREPARES UGANDA FOR DECISIVE FINAL AFCON GROUP CLASH
Uganda must beat Nigeria to reach the AFCON 2025 knockouts. Discover Paul Put’s strategy and Jordan Obita’s call for belief in Fes.
Paul Put's team is heading to Stade de Fes, aiming for a win. This victory could get them into the round of 16 either as Group C's second-place team or as one of the top four third-place teams in the 24-team contest.
"We're up against a really good team," Put said. They were in the final at the last Cup of Nations, and they've won both matches here in Morocco.
We know how good the Nigerian players are. A lot of them play in big leagues in Europe, so we need to be super focused.
But we know what's at stake. It won't be easy; it will be tough. But if we put in the effort, anything's possible.
Tunisia is playing Tanzania in Rabat on Tuesday night. They beat Uganda 3-1 in their first game on December 23.
In their second game, Uganda drew 1-1 with Tanzania after Allan Okello missed a late penalty.
"We had a great chance to win," said Uganda defender Jordan Obita. But it didn't happen.
We can't be scared of going into the Nigeria game. We have to believe we can do something, and that's what we're going to do.
Uganda reached the last 16 in 2019 in Egypt—the first time the Africa Cup of Nations had 24 teams.
But the country's teams didn't make it into the competitions in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire after that.
In 2027, Uganda will host the event with Kenya and Uganda. Obita mentioned that the players in the Uganda team want to show what they're made of at the 2025 contest.
"Everyone back home in Uganda needs to see that we can compete with the best countries in the world," said the 32-year-old, who plays for Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
When we played Algeria in the World Cup qualifiers, it showed we can go head-to-head with top-tier countries and players.
Nigeria's coach, Eric Chelle, was secretive on Monday about who would be on his team Tuesday night.
"I'm keeping my plans to myself," said the 48-year-old former Mali player. A lot of players deserve a chance on this team.
I make hard choices for every match. I've got two or three teams in mind.
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