UPL: URA vs BUL – Team News, Preview, Stats

By: Geoffrey Mugabi

Thursday Fixtures
Mbarara City vs Police – 4:00 PM
Buhimba vs Entebbe UPPC – 4:00 PM
URA FC vs BUL FC – 8:00 PM

Team News

BUL: Isaac Musiima and Alex Kitata return to the squad after missing the game against Maroons. The rest of the team is available for selection.

URA: Olimi Nyarwa, Arthur Kiggundu, and goalkeeper Abdu Magada are ruled out due to injuries, while Denis Kisiriko is unavailable due to school commitments.

“BUL have good and experienced players, and they are a strong side. We have prepared well and hope to win the game to finish in a good position,” said URA head coach Hussein Mbalangu.

“We know what BUL can offer, but we also believe we can match them and create chances to win the game. Our aim is to finish in the top positions and qualify for the Super 8 next season,” added URA captain Moses Aliro.

Preview: URA, BUL Aim to Return to Winning Ways

URA FC will host BUL FC this evening under the floodlights at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, in matchday 23 of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

Both teams will be seeking a return to winning ways after suffering 1-0 defeats in their previous matches.

URA lost to NEC FC in the dying minutes, while BUL fell to Maroons by the same scoreline in Luzira.

With the title race now out of reach for both sides, their focus shifts to finishing in the top eight to secure qualification for the FUFA Super 8 next season.

The first leg between the two sides ended in a goalless draw. Last season, BUL completed a double over URA, including a 1-0 victory at Hamz Stadium courtesy of a goal from Pascal Ngobi.

BUL head coach Alex Isabirye returns to Nakivubo to face his former side, having coached URA last season.

URA have not beaten BUL in the league for three years, with their last victory coming in March 2023—a 1-0 away win secured by a late goal from Ibrahim Dada Juma.

A win for BUL would see them remain in eighth position with 33 points, while victory for URA would keep them in 11th place with 25 points.

However, if URA lose and Mbarara City defeat Police in the early kickoff, URA would be left just five points above the relegation zone.

Elsewhere, Buhimba will host Entebbe UPPC, and a win for Buhimba, coupled with Mbarara City dropping points, could lift them out of the relegation zone.