By Masejele Sulaiman
Newly promoted Uganda Premier League side Kataka FC has approved a Shs1.8 billion budget to facilitate its preparations for the 2026/27 top-flight season.
The budget was passed during the club’s first Annual General Meeting (AGM) as a Uganda Premier League side, held on Sunday at Mbale Municipal Stadium in Mbale City.
Speaking after the meeting, the club’s Vice President, Hassan Kirunda Kakaire, said the budget is intended to meet club licensing requirements and finance operations during Kataka FC’s maiden campaign in Uganda’s top-flight league.
After fighting hard to earn promotion, we now face another challenge of meeting the licensing requirements. The General Assembly has approved a budget of Shs1.8 billion to support the club’s activities throughout the season, Kirunda said.
He revealed that members agreed on several fundraising strategies, including the sale of season tickets, club jerseys and attracting corporate sponsorship to raise the required funds.
Members have committed to buying season tickets, while the club will also sell jerseys and seek sponsors to support us throughout the season, he added.
Kirunda thanked Kataka FC supporters for standing with the club throughout its journey to the Uganda Premier League and called for unity among members to ensure a successful campaign.
We have gone through a lot as Kataka FC. Some people accused us of match-fixing, but time has proved them wrong. Today we are in the Uganda Premier League because of hard work and determination, he said.
Club President Latifu Mafuko reaffirmed the club’s commitment to building a competitive team capable of representing Mbale City with pride while maintaining professionalism and financial discipline.
He called upon the business community, leaders and football stakeholders in eastern Uganda to rally behind the club.
Let us join hands and support Kataka FC. Hosting Uganda Premier League matches in Mbale will benefit local businesses and create opportunities for our people, Mafuko said.
State Minister for Public Service Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, popularly known as “Big Sister”, pledged her support to the club and promised to follow up on the rehabilitation of Mbale Municipal Stadium.
She also revealed that government is considering constructing a regional stadium in Mbale District near Nabumali High School through the National Council of Sports.
FUFA Executive Committee member in charge of Associations, Deo Mutabazi, said the federation had intensified preparations for the 2026/27 season, including inspection of stadiums to ensure clubs comply with licensing standards.
Hon. Karim Masaba, represented by his personal assistant Ahmed Muwonge, pledged a set of jerseys for the club and promised support during away matches.
The AGM attracted FUFA delegates, officials from the Eastern Regional League Football Association led by Chairman Hajji Yunus Musiwa, political leaders, the Kidawalime family, supporters and other stakeholders.
Kataka FC earned promotion to the Uganda Premier League after an impressive FUFA Big League campaign and will make its historic debut in Uganda’s top-flight division next season. The club is expected to intensify pre-season preparations as it seeks to establish itself among the country’s elite football teams.