Kataka finally achieved what had eluded them for years after managing to earn promotion to the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League on the final day of the 2025/26 FUFA Big League season as Blacks Power were crowned champions.
For three previous attempts, Kataka had fallen short in the promotion race towards the last lap. This time, however, the Mbale City side made no mistake after dispatching Soltilo Bright Stars 2-0 at the Bugolobi Coffee Grounds for only their second win on the trip in the ended season.
The result secured Kataka third place on 51 points, which was just enough to claim one of the four promotion slots introduced under Fufa’s revised competition format. Previously, only three teams earned promotion.
Kataka’s breakthrough comes after a decade in the second tier and ends a 22-year wait.
The visitors took the lead in the 41st minute when Sharif Nsereko fouled Isaac Owiny inside the area before Ali Ssentamu stepped up to grab the lead. Usama Khayemba sealed the historic victory, albeit in controversial circumstances, with Kataka’s second goal in the 87th minute, which, from the replays, appeared offside.
The defeat proved costly for Bright Stars, who drop to the Regional League and are joined in relegation by Nebbi Central, Wakiso Giants and Mbale Heroes, with the latter ending a miserable campaign rooted to the bottom of the table after a 6-2 home defeat to Iganga United.
Uncertainty cloud
Wakiso Giants finished 15th after a 4-0 defeat to Young Elephant, a result that prompted an emotional reaction from owner Musa Atagenda, who later on posted on X lamenting investing his ‘time, money, energy and belief’ in football before suggesting that ‘some decisions are painful but necessary,’ remarks that have fueled speculation about the club’s future direction.
At the summit, Blacks Power were crowned champions after a goalless draw away to Onduparaka in Arua. The Lira-based side finished on 55 points, two ahead of Ntugasaze, who also secured promotion.
Kigezi Homeboyz completed the quartet of promoted teams after finishing fourth on 51 points, edging out Paidha Black Angels, who ended fifth despite a 1-0 victory over Nebbi Central.
2025/26 FUFA BIG LEAGUE
Results
Bunyaruguru United 0-1 Kaaro Karungi
Nebbi Central 0-1 Kiyinda Boys
Onduparaka 0-3 Paidha Black Angels
Ntugasaze 0-0 Blacks Power
Kigezi Homeboyz 0-1 Catda
Soltilo Bright Stars 0-2 Kataka
Young Elephant 4-0 Wakiso Giants
Mbale Heroes 2-6 Iganga United
Promoted teams – Blacks Power – 55 points (Champions), Ntugasaze – 53 points, Kataka – 51 points, Kigezi Homeboyz – 51 points.
Relegated teams – Nebbi Central – 34, Bright Stars – 32, Wakiso Giants – 30, Mbale Heroes – 17.