Paidha United has unveiled 12 new signings and retained 14 players for the 2026/2027 West Nile Regional League season, with coach Nega Abraham Ogusi tasked with securing promotion to the FUFA Big League.
Paidha United Soccer Club has unveiled a 26-man squad for the 2026/2027 West Nile Regional League season, setting its sights on promotion to the FUFA Big League.
The club paraded the players on Friday at its Bar Okoro home ground in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District, at a ceremony attended by club executives, technical staff, fans and local leaders.
The squad comprises 12 new signings and 14 players whose contracts have been renewed following recommendations from the technical team. It includes two goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders and eight forwards.
Club Chief Executive and Public Relations Officer Levious Ofoymungu said the players had been registered in the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) system and were awaiting licences.
“As a club we managed to bring in 12 new players and renewed contracts for 14 others. All 26 are duly registered in the FUFA system awaiting FUFA licences,” Ofoymungu said.
He also commended local rivals Paidha Black Angels for releasing two players, Benjamin Opakrwoth and Ronald Bahati, to join United, attributing the transfers to the cordial relationship between the clubs.
“This happened because of the good relationship the two clubs have established,” he said.
Club chairman Robert Orombi urged players and management to maintain unity if they are to achieve their promotion target.
“If we start fighting one another in management and amongst players, we shall neither go far nor shall we achieve our target,” Orombi said.
He added that the club was encouraged by reports that regional league champions could earn direct promotion to the Big League this season, without going through the play-offs used in previous seasons.
“We are aware that there may be no play-off to determine a team but a direct qualification for the regional winners, and we are determined to be that top team,” he said.
Captain Ramadhan Nenungo said the team's ambitions had shifted after a previous season in which it battled to avoid relegation.
“Last season we were battling relegation but this time the mission is to qualify for the Big League next season,” Nenungo said.
He called on supporters to turn up in large numbers and urged management to continue motivating the players.
Among the players released are Isa Ekinora, who joined Odramacaku FC; Osman Maditwoth, who moved to Ottoman FC; and Malaki Awekonimungu, who joined Alangi Super Mix.
Players retained include Nenungo, Francis Oyirwoth, Jerry Kumakech and David Owechi.
Other new arrivals include Richard Rimorach and Derrick Sadeni from Padea Rising Stars, alongside Opakrwoth and Bahati from Paidha Black Angels.
The club has also appointed Nega Abraham Ogusi as head coach. Ogusi, who was part of Police FC's Uganda Super League-winning setup in 2005, holds a Confederation of African Football (CAF) C Licence and has previously coached Paidha Black Angels and Nebbi Central FC. He has also served on the technical team of the West Nile FUFA Drum side.
Management hopes his experience will help guide the team back to the national second tier.
Paidha United faces a competitive campaign following the consolidation of the former Nyagak and Nile zones into a single West Nile Regional League. Under the format described by the club, the regional champion will earn the promotion slot to the Big League.
Pakwach Young Stars won that slot last season and are now competing in the Big League.
Paidha United's challengers include Nebbi Central FC, which was relegated from the Big League last season, as well as Odramacaku FC, Ottoman FC and Nebbi Hot Springs.
Previous promotion arrangements involved zonal winners meeting before facing Northern Region representatives in a two-legged contest.
The process also encountered controversy last season when Nebbi Central petitioned against Young Elephants Academy over the alleged fielding of an ineligible player.
A subsequent decision by the FUFA Competitions Committee resulted in both clubs qualifying, according to the account provided by the club.
Paidha United is scheduled to open its campaign at home against Okokoro United of Maracha at Bar Okoro on Saturday, October 24. The club will share the ground with Paidha Black Angels.
The opening fixture will be followed by an away match against MTC FC in Moyo, home games against Koboko Rising Stars and Lia FC, and an away trip to Promo United.
For Paidha United, the immediate challenge is to turn its revamped squad and promotion ambitions into results on the pitch.