As the countdown to the 2019/2020 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season continues, all the 16 teams expected to take part are beefing up their respective preparations.
On Monday, July 30th, Vipers SC revealed the squad of players they intend to use throughout the campaign.
The Venoms who had an average season, last, are very much intent on improving their 2018/19 showings and have already acquired new faces that they hope will improve their 2nd place finish.
The new faces along with the old-ones were all unveiled at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
The new acquisitions
The Venoms splashed cash on the likes of Rashid Toha, Paul Willa, Siraje Ssentamu and Allan Kayiwa. Toha was signed from Onduparaka, Ssentamu who has previously featured for Vipers returned from URA FC, Willa joins from Police FC while Kayiwa joined from Tooro United.
Other new faces
Aside from the high profile signings, the Venoms have also brought in Henry Kitegenyi from Kansai Plascon and Denis Mwemezi from Ssese.
Vipers are a side that prides it’s self on their feeder side St. Mary’s Kitende and once again have promoted several youngstars from their accademy.
The six players that have been promoted include goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu, defenders Ahmed Amayo and Jacob Okao, midfielders Najib Yiga and Karim Watambala and forward Richard Basangwa.
The Venoms have also recalled back Frank ‘Zaga’ Tuwesigye from his season long loan at Express FC. Zaga spent the entire 2018/19 season at the Red Eagles where he at times showed flushes of brilliance but failed to assert his authority to the side that finished mid table.
Speaking after his unveiling, defender-Toha assured that he is at Vipers to compete and hopefully win titles.
“I am happy to be here and ready to compete in a sporting way to serve the club and contribute immensely. Vipers is a big side and hopefully I can win titles here.” Toha stated.
The unveiling ceremony was graced by Vipers SC club patron Lawrence Mulindwa who expressed his delight to see players graduating from St. Mary’s Kitende and also backed the new technical team.
“Seeing many young players graduate from the school team and our academy team to the real senior team is a dream come true, noted Mulindwa.
“This is what we have been working for over the years.
“With the new technical team in place, we are in the right direction.
The Venoms announced the departure of Nam Ouma as head coach and it was announced last week that the Kenyan would be replaced by Edward Golola.
Golola will work with Ram Nyakana Mpuga (fitness coach), Edward Ssali (second assistant coach), Mathius Kassagga (physiotherapist) and Moses Oloya as goalkeeping coach, as part of his technical team.
The Venoms had a disappointing 2018/19 season, finishing second to KCCA FC in the league, exiting both the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup in the early stages before losing to Proline FC in the last 8 of the Uganda Cup. As consequence, the team needed freshening up and with the arrivals of new players, some of the old ones have been released.
The old faces that have been let go of include Yayo Lutimba, Joseph Jjanjali, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Karim Niyigizimana and Duncan Sseninde.
Moses Waiswa was sold to South Africa’s SuperSport United and former skipper Tadeo Lwanga is finalizing a move to Egypt.
It was also announced that defender Halid Lwaliwa will replace Lwanga as Vipers SC’s new captain for the upcoming season.
