The mid-season transfer window came to end on Saturday February 28 with not much business from the giants.
The window, postponed to February from January by Fufa hasn’t been quiet though, despite giants SC Villa, KCCA and Vipers having little business.
Chasing trophies on both fronts (The Uganda Cup and the League), many probably expected them to beef their squads with more additions.
Vipers have only signed one player, a Glodi Beyuku Munsi, DR Congo forward from AS Vita.
In the same breath, they let go of midfielders Moses Waiswa, Angolan attacker Pedro Sukuya and reportedly allowed striker Kenneth Kimera join Express on loan.
Seventeen-time record champions SC Villa have added only one player – centre back Farouk Matovu who has previously featured for rivals KCCA and Express.
KCCA looked from within and gave Bright Anukani license to play in the second round following a discomfort between the two parties in the primary window.
From outside, Gabon attacker Axel Mezui and young forward Kennedy Muserero join from Canon 105 and Proline respectively.
NEC, URA and Express the busiest
Considering ins and outs, the trio have been the busiest sides in the window with NEC acquiring several players while letting go of many as well.
After losing Benjamin Ochan to retirement, Charles Waibi, Titus Ssematimba and Mustapha Kizza to Kenya’s Nairobi United, they went into the market targeting players that have previously worked with their head coach Badru Kaddu.
Rashid Kawawa, Muhammad Ssenoga, Richard Basangwa, Ramsey Kawooya and Hakim Wandera all fished from Express, Tony Atukunda (Villa) striker Samuel Ssekamatte from UPDF, goalkeeper Juma Mutebi from Lugazi and ex-Maroons winger Pius Obuya.
The departures at Express have prompted Jimmy Kintu to refurbish his squad with ex-Wakiso Giants midfielders Marvin Nyanzi and Blanchar Mulamba joining the Red Eagles as well as left back Shafik Lugolobi from URA.
It is reported that ex-KCCA and Proline midfielder Gift Ali has also signed for the seven-time champions alongside Kimera and Nelson Ssenkatuka on loan from Vipers and Express respectively.
Following an abysmal show so far in the league, URA offloaded as many as eight players – Amis Bwangani, Kabon Living, Abraham Tusubira, Laban Tibita, Nicholas Kabonge, Faisal Matovu, Nelson Ssenkatuka and Shafik Lugolobi.
At the tax collectors, in comes Moses Waiswa, Derrick Kakooza, Rahmat Ssenfuka and Disan Galiwango.
Kitara re-enforce attack
The biggest beneficiary of the window could be Kitara who confidently sit second on the table, two points behind Vipers.
The Royals have added forwards Kabon Living, Muhammad Shaban and Edson Agondze to their striking force and this has surely been as a statement of intent from the one-time Uganda Cup winners.
Entebbe UPPC targeting loanees
Elsewhere, surprise package Entebbe UPPC could get URA’s Tibita and Tusubira on load to add to Samuel Nsubuga as they look for more options in the striking force besides Ambrose Kigozi.
They also officially submitted their request to KCCA for youth graduates Steven Oyirwoth and Yian Gatbel but looks like the Lugogo based side held on to them.
Police and BUL, despite their big ambitions appear to have kept their squads intact although the former lost playmaker Denis Kalanzi to a scholarship in the United States.
Buhimba United Saints added experienced midfielder Musa Ssali to their ranks alongside ex-Hippos defender Simon Baligeya and ex-URA winger Davis Ssali as they try to fend off the relegation monster.
Lugazi was also in the market for three players namely; Amuli Mukasa from non-league side Football Classroom, Hamza Mulambuzi and Umar Kyebataala.
Summary of official selected February Transfer dealings
Vipers:
Ins: Glodi Beyuku Munsi
Out: Moses Waiswa (URA), Pedro Sukuya (Angola), Kenneth Kimera (Express -loan)
SC VILLA
In: Farouk Matovu
Out: Tony Atukunda (NEC)
KCCA
In: Bright Anukani (licensed), Kennedy Muserero (Proline), Axel Mezui (Canon 105, Gabon)
Out: None confirmed
NEC
In: Tonny Atukunda (SC VILLA), Hakim Wandera, Rashid Kawawa, Ramsey Kawooya, Muhammad Ssenoga Kagawa, Richard Basangwa (Express), Samuel Ssekamatte (UPDF), Juma Mutebi (Lugazi) and Pius Obuya.
Out: Charles Waibi, Mustapha Kizza, Titus Ssematimba (Nairobi United), Geriga Atendele (Jamus, South Sudan), Timothy Muwanguzi (long term injury)
Express FC
In: Marvin Nyanzi, Blanchar Mulamba, Gift Ali (free agents), Nelson Ssenkatuka, Shafik Lugolobi (URA – loan), Kenneth Kimera (Vipers – loan)
Out: Hakim Wandera, Rashid Kawawa, Ramsey Kawooya, Muhammad Ssenoga Kagawa, Richard Basangwa (NEC)
Kitara
In: Muhammad Shaban (Ethiopia), Edson Agondze (Buhimba United Saints), Kabon Living (URA)
Entebbe UPPC
In: Samuel Nsubuga (Wakiso Giants), Nasur Saddick (Adjumani TC), Abraham Tusubira, Laban Tibita (URA – loan pending)
Buhimba United Saints
In: Musa Ssali, Simon Baligeya, Davis Ssali
Out: Edson Agondze (Kitara)
Lugazi FC
In: Amuri Mukasa (Football Classroom), Hamza Mulambuzi (Mbarara City), Umar Kyebataala (Mbale Heroes)
