Kamiyat Naigaga Celebrates / Leilah Shamira‘s Image

The Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League returned with renewed ambition, expectation and competition, but for newly promoted URA Ladies FC, their historic arrival in Uganda’s top flight brought an immediate test of their readiness for the demands of elite women’s football.

URA’s maiden Super League outing ended in a 3-0 defeat to KCCA Women FC at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, with the Queens combining greater composure, midfield control and attacking efficiency to secure all three points and begin the new campaign with a clean sheet.

KCCA made their intentions clear early, with Kamiyati Naigaga converting an 11th-minute penalty before Ariho Rinah doubled the advantage in first-half added time. Naigaga then struck again just a minute after the restart, rising to meet Wujja’s long delivery with a well-timed header that completed her brace and put the result beyond URA’s reach.

For URA, the scoreline represented a difficult beginning, but the contest offered far more than the final result. It provided an early glimpse into the differences between an unbeaten promotion campaign and the demands of top-flight football, while also highlighting KCCA’s squad continuity, the influence of Loyce Komugisha, URA’s midfield and attacking struggles, defensive adjustments and the work that lies ahead for Moses Nkata’s side, as noted by SBK Sports Mail’s Brian Sentuuya.

1. KCCA’s Squad Stability and Continuity Made a Difference

One of the clearest features of KCCA Women FC’s performance was the stability that has been maintained within the squad. While the club has entered the new campaign under the KCCA Women FC identity after previously competing as Kampala Queens, much of the playing group remains familiar with one another, providing a valuable foundation for the season ahead.

KCCA finished third in the 2025/26 Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League, collecting 37 points from 22 matches after recording 10 victories, seven draws and five defeats. Although they finished outside the top two, their campaign ended on a high note as they lifted the FUFA Women’s Cup after defeating Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC 2-0 in the final at FUFA Stadium-Kadiba on Sunday, 21 June.

The Queens did lose three players from that cup-winning squad , Shamusa Najjuma, Catherine Nagadya and Patience Nabulobi, but the core of the team remained intact. That continuity was evident from the opening whistle against URA, with every KCCA player named in the starting XI having been part of last season’s squad.

Gloria Namakula started in goal, while the outfield line-up featured Jamila Nabulime, Teddy Najjuma, Loyce Komugisha, Peace Muduwa, Joanitah Ainembabazi, Kamiyati Naigaga, Catherine Wujja, Esther Namusoke, Ariho Rinah and Marrion Amangat. The familiarity among the players was reflected in their movement, communication and understanding of their respective roles.

That stability appeared particularly valuable in a match against a newly promoted opponent still establishing its own combinations. KCCA were able to move the ball with confidence and maintain their structure through different phases of the contest, while URA were still learning how their new-look team would function against established top-flight opposition.

Lutalo was also able to call upon experienced players from the bench. Zaituni Namaganda and Winnie Kwatulira were introduced during the second half, while promising winger Nakalema Rashidah made her debut after replacing Kamiyati Naigaga in the 85th minute, offering another glimpse of the depth available to the Queens.

2. Loyce Komugisha’s Midfield Influence Underpinned KCCA’s Control

While Naigaga’s brace provided the headline moments, Loyce Komugisha was central to the performance that allowed KCCA to dictate the contest. Her influence in midfield helped give the Queens the composure and control required to impose their rhythm on a URA side attempting to find its feet at the highest level.

Komugisha combined intelligent positioning with purposeful distribution, helping KCCA retain possession and move the ball efficiently through the middle of the pitch. Her ability to remain composed under pressure also helped the Queens maintain their shape whenever URA attempted to disrupt their rhythm.

loyce Komugisha ( Right ) / Kcca Women FC Image

The midfielder’s influence was particularly evident in the way KCCA connected their defensive and attacking phases. Rather than allowing the game to become stretched, Komugisha helped keep the team compact and ensured that the Queens could move forward with structure and purpose.

Her contribution was recognised with the Woman of the Match award, an acknowledgement of a performance that went beyond the goals and reflected the importance of her work in the engine room.

Operating alongside Ariho Rinah and Teddy Najjuma, Komugisha formed part of a midfield that looked settled and well coordinated. Rinah brought creativity and attacking intent, while Najjuma contributed to the balance of the unit, allowing KCCA to maintain control for long periods.

For URA, the contrast was telling. Their midfield struggled to retain possession and establish a consistent link between defence and attack, while Komugisha’s assured display helped KCCA keep the game moving on their terms.

3. Kamiyati’s Brace Highlighted KCCA’s Attacking Efficiency

If Komugisha provided the platform, Kamiyati Naigaga supplied the cutting edge. Her two goals demonstrated KCCA’s ability to turn their territorial advantage into decisive moments in front of goal.

Naigaga opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute, giving KCCA an early advantage and immediately increasing the pressure on a URA side experiencing its first Super League fixture.

The forward struck again just a minute after the restart, rising to meet Wujja’s long delivery and directing her header into the net. The timing of the goal was significant, coming at a stage when URA would have been hoping to regroup and return to the contest.

Naigaga’s brace underlined the value of having an experienced attacking player capable of recognising and converting opportunities. Her ability to make her presence felt in crucial moments complemented the control KCCA enjoyed elsewhere on the pitch.

The performance also continued a personal scoring connection with the club’s recent history, having scored KCCA’s opening goal of the previous league season against Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC. Her two-goal contribution therefore provided another early indication of her importance to the Queens’ attacking plans.

4.Defensive Coordination Was Exposed by the KCCA Frontline

For URA, one of the biggest challenges was dealing with a KCCA attack that possessed both experience and movement. The newcomers were frequently required to defend without the comfort of sustained possession, placing additional pressure on their backline.

Patience Nabulobi, who previously played for Kampala Queens before the club became KCCA Women FC, brought valuable top-flight experience into URA’s defensive unit. Alongside her was Angel Gloria Nakawagi, who was making her debut at this level.

However, the occasion also exposed the areas where URA’s defensive understanding still needs to develop. There were moments when communication and positioning were not sufficiently coordinated, allowing KCCA’s attacking players to exploit spaces and create dangerous situations.

Against experienced opponents, small lapses can quickly become costly, and KCCA demonstrated exactly that. The Queens were patient enough to wait for openings and decisive enough to take advantage when they appeared.

For Nkata and his technical team, improving the defensive relationship between the players will be crucial. Greater communication, clearer positioning and stronger collective organisation will be required if URA are to withstand the sustained pressure that comes with Super League football.

5. A New-Look URA Midfield Struggled Against KCCA’s Established Engine Room

The contrast between the two midfield units was another defining feature of the contest. Nkata introduced Nyandera Lydia, captain Zaina Namuleme , Elizabeth Nakigozi , Cynthia Kirenga and Shafiga Tamisi as his midfield combination, hoping they could provide the energy and creativity needed to compete with KCCA.

KCCA’s midfield, however, looked more settled and assured. Komugisha, Rinah and Teddy Najjuma appeared comfortable in their roles, circulating possession intelligently and controlling the tempo whenever URA threatened to gain momentum.

URA frequently struggled to progress the ball from defence into attack. Without consistent possession in midfield, their forwards were left with limited service, while the defensive players were repeatedly required to absorb pressure from the Queens.

The experience and continuity within KCCA’s midfield also allowed the players to anticipate one another’s movements more naturally. That understanding helped the Queens maintain their structure and prevented URA from establishing a sustained foothold in the middle of the pitch.

For URA, the priority will be to find the right midfield balance as the campaign develops. The quality is present, but the players will need time, competitive exposure and tactical refinement to develop the cohesion required at this level.

6. URA’s Midfield and Attack Struggled to Create Clear-Cut Chances

URA’s midfield difficulties inevitably affected their attacking ambitions. With the team unable to consistently control possession, Shamusa Najjuma found herself operating with limited service as she carried the responsibility of leading the search for goals.

Nkata expected Elizabeth Nakigozi, Cynthia Kirenga, Shafiga Tamisi and captain Zaina Namuleme to provide the support required around Najjuma, but KCCA’s defensive organisation made it difficult for URA to establish sustained attacking pressure.

The newcomers showed determination, but opportunities in the final third were limited. KCCA’s defensive structure denied URA the space and time needed to create clear-cut chances, while the Queens’ midfield continued to restrict the supply into dangerous areas.

Nkata responded with changes in the second half, introducing debutants Beatrice Kyokushaba and Namataka for Cynthia Kirenga and Elizabeth Nakigozi in the 65th minute.

Namataka brought energy and movement to the attack and showed glimpses of the quality that could become useful to URA as the season progresses. Her willingness to run at the KCCA defence offered the newcomers a different attacking dimension during the latter stages of the contest.

The technical team made another adjustment in the 78th minute, when Monica Nanono and Tracy Nabalanzi replaced Shamusa Najjuma and Shafiga Tamisi.

Tracy Nabalanzi’s introduction was also significant because of the experience she brings to the URA squad. She previously served as captain before handing the armband to new recruit Zaina Namuleme and now operates as assistant captain, giving Nkata another experienced figure to rely on as he develops the team.

7. A Bright Start for KCCA Under Returning Coach Hamuza Lutalo

For returning head coach Hamuza Lutalo, the opening-day victory provided an encouraging beginning to his latest chapter with KCCA Women FC.

His side showed purpose from the opening exchanges and maintained its composure after taking the lead. Rather than retreating into a defensive shell, KCCA continued to seek opportunities to extend their advantage.

That approach was rewarded when Ariho Rinah doubled the lead in first-half added time. The goal came after Peace Muduwa produced an excellent run down the right flank, beat her marker and helped create the opening that Rinah converted.

Naigaga’s second goal immediately after the restart then gave KCCA a three-goal cushion and placed the Queens in a commanding position for the remainder of the match.

Lutalo will now be looking for his players to carry that momentum into their next assignment against St. Noa Girls-Zana FC at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo. St. Noa also began the campaign with a victory, defeating She Corporate FC 1-0 away from home.

8. Moses Nkata’s First URA Assignment Provides a Reality Check

The match marked Moses Nkata’s first assignment as head coach of URA Ladies FC, and the result provided an immediate measure of the challenge that comes with taking a newly promoted team into the top flight.

Nkata is no stranger to success in women’s football. He spent several seasons working alongside Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi, with the two enjoying considerable success at Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC and Kawempe Muslim Secondary School.

Their achievements stretched from district and national schools competitions to regional schools football and league success, including campaigns in the Women’s Elite League and Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League.

Their most recent landmark achievement came when they guided Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC to the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers, where they became the first Ugandan side to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.

Nkata now faces a different challenge at URA. The club earned promotion to the top flight unbeaten, but maintaining that level of confidence and consistency against experienced Super League opposition requires tactical adjustments and continued player development.

His first assignment has therefore provided valuable information about the areas that need attention. The task now is to ensure that the lessons from Nakivubo are translated into improved performances when URA return to action.

Nkata will have the support of assistant coaches Ronald Luggya and Tadeo Nyanzi, goalkeeper coach Salim Sowedi, team medic Paskaziya Namubiru and fitness coach Ronald Eletu as the technical team works to help the players adjust to the demands of top-flight football.

9. Early Injury Scare for Peace Muduwa Casts a Shadow Over KCCA’s Win

KCCA’s convincing victory was accompanied by an unfortunate concern involving winger Peace Muduwa, who played an important role in the Queens’ attacking play before her afternoon was brought to an early end.

Muduwa was instrumental in the build-up to KCCA’s second goal, making a determined run down the right flank, beating her marker and helping create the opportunity that allowed Rinah to finish.

Her contribution was therefore significant to the flow of KCCA’s attacking play, making her departure through injury before the final whistle a concern for the technical team.Lutalo acknowledged the unfortunate development after the match, saying:

“It was a good game, though on a sad note we have got an injured player, Peace, who went off the field before the end of the match.”

KCCA will now monitor Muduwa’s condition as they prepare for their meeting with St. Noa. Her pace and ability to create openings from wide areas give the Queens another attacking dimension, making her availability an important consideration for the matches ahead.

10. Vanessa Namazzi Shows Her Versatility

One of the more encouraging individual performances from the URA perspective came from assistant captain Vanessa Namazzi, whose versatility could become an important tactical asset for the newly promoted side.

Namazzi was an influential figure during URA’s promotion campaign and was recognised as the team’s MVP as they secured their place in the top flight. Primarily a midfielder, she brings energy, composure and an understanding of the game that can be valuable in several positions.

Against KCCA, Nkata entrusted her with a different responsibility, deploying her at right-back as URA sought to cope with the Queens’ attacking threat.

The positional change demonstrated the options Namazzi gives the coaching staff. Her ability to operate in midfield while also adapting to a defensive role could provide Nkata with valuable flexibility throughout a long and demanding campaign.

For a newly promoted team, having players capable of performing effectively in more than one position can be particularly useful, especially as injuries, suspensions and tactical requirements begin to shape the season.

Nkata Urges URA to Learn and Respond

Despite the difficult opening result, Nkata remained focused on the opportunity for his players to learn from their first experience of top-flight football rather than dwell on the scoreline.

“We have taken the lessons from this game. It was a tough result for us, but we have to remain positive, correct the mistakes and work harder. For some of these players, this is their first experience at this level, so the most important thing now is to learn, improve and respond in the next game,”

Nkata said.

That opportunity to respond will arrive when URA face Makerere University WFC in their next league assignment. Makerere also began the season with a 1-0 victory over Amus College WFC, meaning URA will face another side looking to build early momentum.

For URA, the 3-0 defeat to KCCA should therefore be viewed within the wider context of a maiden Super League campaign. The result exposed areas that require improvement, but it also provided Nkata and his technical team with valuable information about the level of organisation, intensity and efficiency required at this level.

The challenge now is to convert those lessons into action, strengthen the midfield, improve defensive coordination and find greater attacking efficiency while preserving the qualities that carried URA to promotion unbeaten.

For KCCA, the opening-day performance provided a strong illustration of what squad continuity, midfield control and attacking efficiency can produce. Komugisha’s influential work in the engine room, Naigaga’s clinical finishing, Rinah’s contribution and the familiarity within the starting XI combined to give the Queens a controlled and convincing start to their campaign.

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Finance Trust Bank FUFA WSL 2026/2027 Fixtures.

FWSL - MATCH DAY 1 FIXTURE
(1)
3 - 0
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Kawempe Muslims LFC vs Jinja United WFC

(1)
0 - 1
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She Corporate FC vs St.Noa Girls Zana FC

(1)
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1 - 0
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(1)
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A passionate staff writer and editor for Sbk Sports Mail, he covers major sports events with a focus on football, volleyball, basketball, netball, and athletics. His deep enthusiasm and insightful reporting...

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