After narrowly missing out on the StarTimes Uganda Premier League title last season, KCCA FC and SC Villa (who lost to Vipers SC on goal difference) have stepped preparations for the upcoming season by beefing up their squads.
In recent weeks, the two traditional rivals have been busy in the ongoing transfer market, with SC Villa adding three players from different clubs.
KCCA, on the other hand, brought in Brazilian Joao Gabriel and promoted three youngsters from its academy team.
Striker Abubaker Mayanja, goalkeeper Anthony Emojong and midfielder Alex Yiga were promoted from the City Cubs to the senior KCCA FC side.
Meanwhile, SC Villa signed defender Joseph Dhata and are set to add goalkeeper Norman Angufidru from relegated Onduparaka FC.
Angufidra was third-choice keeper at Onduparaka, who got relegated from the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
However, SC Villa’s technical benches led by Serbian Dusan Stojanovic believe Angufidra will provide good competition to Meddie Kibirige, who was the club’s first-choice keeper last season.
The young and towering Angufidra has better chance at SC Villa, who finished third runners-up in the league after slipping in the closing stage to gift the title to Vipers SC.
The Jogoos are also in the final stages of signing defender Peter Onzima from Busoga United.
Stojanovic, who recently signed a two-year contract, has been tasked to end SC Villa’s 19-year league title drought.
The new season kicks off in August.