Yumbe’s Calvary FC earn historic promotion to top flight

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Calvary FC have been crowned champions of the FUFA Big League for the 2024/2025 season, earning automatic promotion to Uganda’s top flight, the Uganda Premier League.

The Yumbe-based side secured the title after edging Zombo’s Paidha Black Angels 1-0 in a rain-disrupted West Nile derby at Midigo Primary School playgrounds in Yumbe district on Saturday, June 21, in the final fixture of the season.

Defender Oriokot scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute to keep the Horizon Stars’ title hopes alive.

The win took Calvary FC to the top of the table with 52 points, ahead of Gaddafi FC, who won their final game 3-0 against Mbale’s Kataka FC, and Buhimba United Saints, who were held to a goalless draw by Kiyinda Boys.

Calvary FC now becomes the sixth club from the West Nile region to qualify for the top division, following in the footsteps of Onduparaka FC, Arua Hill FC, and Paidha Black Angels, who were promoted in the 2017/2018 season.

Before the league’s rebranding to the Uganda Premier League, Ediofe Hills FC and Arua Central FC played in the former Uganda Super League.

Simon Otim, Head Coach of Calvary FC, described the win as the true meaning of resilience.

“This is a moment my boys and I have been yearning for all these years. Keeping in the Big League for four seasons shows resilience,” he said.

Otim added that the team is more than ready to face the challenges that come with playing in the top flight.

Rasul Ariga, FUFA executive committee member and delegate for the West Nile region, congratulated the team on their achievement.

He encouraged the club to learn from the mistakes of other West Nile teams that were relegated from the top division.

Karim Musa, deputy president of the club, said they have ambitious plans to ensure Calvary FC competes strongly in the Uganda Premier League and wins trophies like other top clubs.

The rise of Calvary FC

Calvary FC was established in 2008 as a youth-led initiative to keep young people engaged and nurture their football talent, with funding from Calvary Chapel-Midigo.

Nicknamed the Horizon Stars, symbolising focus and forward momentum, the club first caught attention during a church-organised tournament. It was then registered in the 5th Division of district football, where it played for two seasons before earning promotion to the 4th Division in 2010.

In the 2012/2013 season, Calvary FC advanced to the West Nile Regional League. The club reached the FUFA Big League in 2020, where it remained unrelegated until this season’s long-awaited promotion.