URA FC are Bell Uganda Cup 2012 champions

By Joseph Kizza

URA FC ended a six-year trophyless spell in the Bell Uganda Cup tournament when they beat Bunamwaya SC 1-0 at Pece Stadium in Gulu district in the cup final on Saturday.

Having last won the coveted Cup in 2005 after beating KCC FC 2-1, the tax collectors have been prized with sh12m for winning this year's final.

It is the first time in the tournament’s history that the final is played outside Kampala.

Robert Ssentongo’s first-half only goal placed URA FC ahead of their opponents, who seemed more than motivated to equalize any time.

But even with their relentless efforts, Bunamwaya players had to deal with their score disadvantage after the first half.

The second half of the game had no effect on the score-board even with URA FC’s several attempts to maximize their goal advantage, and their opponents trying to level the score and possibly overturn the result.

But Ssentongo’s first-half goal was the winner.

URA FC coach Alex Isabirye hailed his team for a job well-done despite his initial concerns of missing key first-team players.

“Since we missed some of our players, we decided to play in their own half,” a contended Isabirye said.

Injury scare, but no lost hope

Before the Cup final, URA FC’s coach was faced with the possibility of losing out on four of his key players—captain Manco Kaweesa (thigh), central defenders Sam Mubiru (thigh), Lawrence Segawa (joint) and winger Vincent Kayizzi (crack).

But the side’s hope for a superior result in the final was founded on their better experience in the Cup final than Bunamwaya SC.

The Saturday final was URA FC’s fourth since 2005, and the first for Bunamwaya SC.

Just like they did in 2005 against KCC FC in the final, the tax collectors side again won with a one-goal margin.

URA FC will now take part in the Confederations Cup.

(Additional reporting by Swalley Kenyi and Dennis Ojwee)