KAMPALA – Police FC will host their 2019/2020 StarTimes Uganda Premier league matches at Kavumba Recreation playground.
The Cops are moving to a third home ground in as many seasons after spending the last two (seasons) at Namboole and Lugogo respectively.
Kavumba has in the past been Police’s home and it comes as no surprise that they are returning there.
The move to make the return was confirmed by the Cops on their Social Media.
“We are pleased to announce Kavumba Recreation Playground as our New Home for the 2019/20 season in The Uganda Premier League. Read a post on Police’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Abdallah Mubiru’s side were impressive at home last season, winning 7 and losing just 5 of their 15 games hosted at Lugogo.
However, as per FUFA rules, only two teams can share a single ground during a particular season and with Proline FC returning to the top tier, Lugogo is already occupied by the Big League winners and owners KCCA FC, prompting the Cops to seek accommodation elsewhere.
As for Mandela National Stadium, Police’s home for the 2017/18 campaign, URA FC and SC Villa are the two sides expected to use it, like it was last season’ automatically taking Mubiru’s side out of the equation.
Going to Kavumba will feel like a return ‘home’ as the Cops have spent most of their stay in the top flight there.
However, the move highlights how big an issue stadiums are in the country.
KCCA FC, Vipers SC, Busoga United, Onduparaka FC and Maroons FC are the only top tier teams currently owning stadiums of their won, leaving the other 11 sides to rent during the course of the season.
With Nakivubo closed until i don’t know when, the scarcity of venues for football teams only increases and sides like Police’ who do not have huge budgets to build their own, will keep on moving from Kampala to other districts for accommodation.
Police FC who have already lost Juma Balinya, Paul Willa and Hassan Kalega, three of their main pillars last season, finished 11th with 37 points from 30 games in 2018/2019.
Their target is to improve in terms of position but they have already seen their preparations distorted as head coach-Mubiru is currently in charge of the Uganda Cranes CHAN team slated to take in Somalia on Saturday, July 27th, in a qualifying game.
