Usama Kiza joins Vipers SC in three-year deal

Winger Usama Arafat Kiza has signed a three-year contract with StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC after ending his stint at rivals KCCA FC.

The 21-year-old attacker joins the Venoms as their eighth signing of the season.

“It’s an opportunity to challenge myself at the highest level in Uganda, compete for trophies, and represent the club in continental football. It also means growth for me as a player, gaining more exposure, and contributing to the legacy of a team that has achieved a lot,” said Kiza.

“I am eager to get started, train hard, and make a positive impact for Vipers SC. The support of the fans, the club’s management, and my teammates will be crucial in making this a successful tenure,” he added.

“I want to start by expressing my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of my journey at KCCA FC. My time at this incredible club has come to an end, and I am truly thankful for the support, guidance, and opportunities I’ve received,” he concluded.

At KCCA, Usama was one of the most exciting young attackers in the team. He contributed seven goals and six assists in 23 appearances last season, after recording 10 goals and six assists the previous campaign across league and other competitions.

His performances also extended to the national team. He captained Uganda’s U-20 side to a silver medal at the 2024 All-Africa Games in Accra, before breaking into the Uganda Cranes, where he already boasts 11 competitive appearances. He was also part of the 2025 CHAN team that reached the quarterfinals, though he mainly featured as a substitute.

KCCA had made efforts to convince him to extend his stay for at least two more years, but the winger chose a new challenge in Kitende. His move also feels like a return home, as he previously studied at St Mary’s Secondary School Kitende (SMASK), a traditional feeder for Vipers SC.

Before joining the Kasasiro boys in 2021 from Kajjansi United, Usama also featured for Mbale Tigers and CRO FC in the lower divisions. At Lugogo, he completed a three-year stint where he established himself as one of the most promising talents in Ugandan football.

His arrival brings Vipers’ new signings to eight. Other notable additions include Robin Kane Hney, Mark Yallah, Taddeo Lwanga, Odili Chukwuma, Kevin Dasylva Bady, Ashraf Mandela, and Enock Ssebaggala. Usama is expected to join his teammates after the CAF Champions League preliminary round opener.

Vipers SC are preparing for the CAF Champions League, where they will start their campaign against African Stars FC of Namibia. The first leg will be played away on Friday 19th September, before the return leg at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Saturday 27th September. The aggregate winner will then face either Power Dynamos FC of Zambia or ASEC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire in the second round.

If they progress, Vipers will host the first leg between 17–19 October, before traveling for the return leg between 24–26 October.

The Venoms are no strangers to continental football, having reached the CAF Champions’ League group stage in the 2022/23 season, where they faced Raja Casablanca (Morocco), Horoya AC (Guinea), and Simba SC (Tanzania) after eliminating Olympic de Bangui (Central African Republic) and TP Mazembe (DR Congo) in the qualifiers.