BUL out to break UPDF jinx

• Uganda Premier League| MD 5 | Sunday October 18th
• UPDF FC Vs BUL FC – Hamz Stadium | 5 p.m

In a rescheduled Matchday Five fixture, BUL FC will seek to end UPDF FC’s recent dominance over them when the two sides meet in the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, on Sunday.

The Eastern Giants head into the encounter unbeaten in five games, but face an UPDF side riding high after back-to-back victories, including a 2-1 win over Express FC in their previous outing.

Both teams are playing their sixth match of the 2026/27 season.

BUL sit third with 13 points from four wins and a draw, having scored 11 goals and conceded three. Their impressive start has put them among the early contenders, but coach Alex Isabirye wants his players to improve their finishing after dropping points against Lugazi FC.

BUL drew 1-1 with Lugazi on October 13 after missing several chances, ending their winning run.

“We drew against Lugazi in our previous game, and we missed so many chances. I think we had a bad day, and I’ve been training,” Isabirye said.

“We have gone through that, and I know we are ready. We are good to go. We are playing UPDF.”

BUL started their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Express on August 30 before thrashing Kataka FC and Ntugasaze FC 4-1 on September 3 and 8, respectively. They then beat Blacks Power FC 2-1 on September 15 before the draw against Lugazi.

Despite their strong form, Isabirye expects a difficult afternoon against an opponent that beat them 5-2 in their last meeting on April 21.

“We lost to UPDF 5-2 last season. I know it’s going to be a very, very, very hard game, especially when they have just won their previous game against Express. But we are ready for the game,” he said.

“The players know exactly what it needs to get the points. So we are away from home. We are ready.”

BUL will be without injured trio Walter Ochora, Lawrence Kambugu and Musima, but Isabirye believes their replacements can deliver.

“We don’t have Walter Ochora, we don’t have Lawrence Kambugu, we don’t have Musima, who are injured. They will be out of the game. But we have a good squad.

“I know we do have their replacements. We have prepared them, and they are ready to go. With God, everything is possible.”

The coach is confident his side will collect maximum points.

“I know we shall come out victorious. I know we shall come out victorious. I know we shall come out victorious,” he said.

BUL will look to Derrick Byabacwezi and Simon Achidi who have both scored thrice this for goals as they look to getting back onto the winning path.

On the other side, UPDF coach Hussein Mbalangu expects a tough test against BUL, whom he describes as a well-coached side under his friend Alex Isabirye.

The army side have collected eight points from five matches, winning twice, drawing twice and losing once. They sit ninth with four goals scored and three conceded.

UPDF opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Kataka before losing 2-1 away to Entebbe UPPC FC. Despite being reduced to 10 men, they fought hard, with Derrick Taremwa scoring their goal.

They followed that defeat with another goalless draw against Police FC in the Armed Forces derby before beating Maroons FC 1-0 at home through Zzinda.

Their latest outing brought a second victory, as Taremwa scored twice in the opening five minutes to inspire a 2-1 away win over Express.

The result has lifted confidence in the UPDF camp, but Mbalangu knows BUL pose a different challenge.

“We have prepared well. We are going to face a tough side in BUL. It has the right coaches who know what to do and haven’t lost a game yet, and you can see they are third because those above have played more matches,” he said.

“Therefore, we have prepared like we prepare for any match. This season, Pamoja, every opponent is strong.”

Mbalangu also spoke warmly about his relationship with Isabirye, saying their shared roots in Kyaggwe have strengthened their friendship.

“Me and Alex Isabirye are good friends. In fact, we come from Kyaggwe, and he understands what he does,” he said.

UPDF have no injury concerns or suspensions heading into the game, leaving Mbalangu with a full squad to choose from.

“My boys are well and have morale after their win against Express. We are injury-free with no cards, and I expect the match to be good for us,” he said.

He also called on the club’s supporters to turn up and back the team.

“I call upon all UPDF fans to come support their team and want them to know BUL is a good team but are coming to the basement,” Mbalangu said.

With three goals in the bag already, Derrick Taremwa will be the man to look out for, just like midfielder Hassan Zzinda, not forgetting the brilliance of the man in goal, Shamuran Kamya

History favours UPDF

UPDF have won four of their last six league meetings with BUL, giving the army side a psychological advantage ahead of Sunday’s clash.

BUL have also had their moments, beating UPDF 1-0 away on January 30, 2026, and winning 3-2 on May 24, 2025.

UPDF won 2-0 away to BUL on December 4, 2024, and claimed 1-0 victories on March 12, 2024, and November 9, 2023.

Their most recent meeting ended in a 5-2 victory for UPDF on April 21, 2026.

BUL will hope their unbeaten start translates into a victory that improves their record against the army side. UPDF, meanwhile, will seek a third consecutive win to build on their recent progress.

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