BUL FC sack head coach Kikomeko after six-game winless run

Uganda Premier League side BUL FC have parted ways with head coach Abbey Kikomeko and his entire backroom staff following a poor run of results that left the club winless in six consecutive matches.

In a statement signed by CEO Joseph Mutaka, the Jinja-based club explained that the decision came after a detailed review of performances, which failed to meet the team’s technical and competitive targets.

“BUL Football Club wishes to inform its supporters, stakeholders, and the general public that the club has parted ways with Head Coach Abbey Kikomeko with immediate effect,” the statement read.

The club, owned by Bidco Uganda Limited, also announced the indefinite suspension of the entire senior team backroom staff, including team doctors, as part of an internal restructuring process.

“To ensure continuity, the senior team will temporarily be managed by the junior team technical bench led by Daniel Kabale, assisted by Michael Sebagala, Kenneth Magada, and Fred Batwala,” the statement added.

Kikomeko’s dismissal followed BUL’s 3-1 defeat to Police FC at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru,  their fifth consecutive loss after earlier defeats to Vipers SC, KCCA FC, UPDF, and Kitara FC.

The slump has seen BUL drop to 12th place on the league table with 10 points from 11 matches, just two points above debutants Buhimba United Saints in the relegation zone.

Appointed in June 2023 to replace Alex Isabirye Musongola, Kikomeko took charge after BUL’s most successful season, in which they won the Stanbic Uganda Cup under Isabirye.

During his 18 months at the helm, he guided the club to back-to-back FUFA Super 8 titles and oversaw their best-ever league finish in the 2023/24 season, placing second, just one point behind champions SC Villa. BUL finished third last season.

However, after opening the current campaign with two wins and four draws, results deteriorated sharply, culminating in five straight defeats and mounting pressure on the technical team.

Before joining BUL, Kikomeko had earned praise for steering Busoga United clear of relegation during a period of financial and managerial instability.

Meanwhile, former BUL coach Alex Isabirye Musongola and Hussein Mbalangu have emerged as frontrunners to replace Kikomeko. Isabirye, who was relieved of his duties at URA FC last month, previously led BUL to Uganda Cup glory before moving to Vipers SC, where he won a league and cup double. Mbalangu was recently dismissed by NEC FC.

BUL last lifted silverware in June 2022, when they beat Vipers SC 3-1 in the Stanbic Uganda Cup final in Masindi,  the club’s first major trophy.