Uganda: UPDF FC ring technical changes as relegation alarm bells grow

UPDF FC have moved to shake up their technical bench after parting ways with first assistant coach Paul Kiwanuka in a decision driven by mounting Uganda Premier League relegation fears.

CLUB STATEMENT

UPDF FC confirms that First Assistant Coach Kiwanuka Paul and Defensive Coach Oweka Denis have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect.

Mudde Musa has joined the assistant coaching team, while Juma Nasur will reinforce the goalkeeping department. pic.twitter.com/msMDijaLeH

— UPDF Football Club (@UpdfFootball) February 3, 2026

Kiwanuka, fondly known as Coach Kiwa, was dismissed on Tuesday alongside defensive coach Denis Oweka, bringing a sudden end to a turbulent spell for the army side as the second round of the season gets underway next week.

The timing of the decision reflects UPDF’s alarming position in the standings. Currently 15th on the table with just 11 points with three wins , the club has struggled to find consistency, slipping into a six-match winless run that has intensified pressure on the technical team.

Kiwanuka had been promoted to first assistant coach ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, a move widely viewed as a vote of confidence and a reward for loyalty within the club’s setup.

However, the early promise failed to translate into improved results, and patience eventually wore thin.

While UPDF did not publicly outline the specific reasons behind the dismissals, their league position and form painted a clear picture of a side in distress.

In a swift response, former club captain Musa Mudde has been drafted into the technical team as assistant coach, teaming up with Alex Gitta.

Mudde’s return is expected to inject leadership, experience, and renewed belief into a squad desperately in need of direction.

With no room for error, UPDF now turn their focus to the second-round opener at home against Buhimba United Saints, the same opponents they drew 2–2 with earlier in the campaign. This time, however, the stakes are significantly higher as the army side fight for survival in the top flight.

UPDF FC confirms major technical bench changes

In a statement shared on the club’s official channels, UPDF FC outlined the changes while also unveiling new additions to the coaching setup.

“UPDF FC confirms that First Assistant Coach Kiwanuka Paul and Defensive Coach Oweka Denis have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect. Mudde Musa has joined the assistant coaching team, while Juma Nasur will reinforce the goalkeeping department,” the statement read.

The announcement brought an abrupt end to Kiwanuka’s tenure, which had begun with optimism but ultimately failed to yield the results required at this critical stage of the season.

Poor league position forces decisive action

The timing of the decision reflects UPDF’s precarious position in the league standings. The army side currently sit 15th on the table with just 11 points after registering only three wins in the opening phase of the campaign. A six-match winless run has further deepened concerns, leaving the club hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone.

With the Uganda Premier League entering a decisive phase, the pressure on the technical team had been mounting steadily. Performances on the pitch suggested a lack of defensive solidity and attacking cohesion, issues that ultimately cost Kiwanuka and Oweka their jobs.

Although the club did not publicly outline specific tactical or disciplinary reasons for the dismissals, the league table itself painted a clear picture of a side in distress and in urgent need of change.

From promotion to dismissal

Kiwanuka’s departure is particularly striking given his recent rise within the club. Ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, he was promoted to first assistant coach, a move widely interpreted as a vote of confidence and recognition of his loyalty and understanding of the club’s culture.

At the time, the promotion was expected to bring continuity and stability to the technical bench. However, early promise failed to translate into consistent results, and as defeats and draws piled up, patience within the club hierarchy appeared to wear thin.

Musa Mudde returns to inspire revival

In a swift response to the shake-up, former UPDF FC captain Mudde Musa has been drafted into the technical team as assistant coach, where he will work alongside Alex Gitta.

Mudde’s return is seen as a strategic move aimed at injecting leadership, discipline, and renewed belief into a struggling squad. As a former leader in the dressing room, he is familiar with the club’s values and expectations, qualities that management hope will resonate with players during this relegation fight.

In addition, Juma Nasur has been brought in to strengthen the goalkeeping department, an area that has also come under scrutiny during UPDF’s difficult run.