By Slivia Nakituuka
Uganda Christian University (UCU) Lady Cardinals are preparing for the 2026/27 FUFA Women Elite League season as they seek promotion to the top-flight Finance Trust Bank Women Super League after finishing second last season.
The Mukono side, who will compete in the Central Conference, are scheduled to open their campaign against Dream Girls Soccer Academy on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at the UCU Grounds in Mukono.
UCU will then host Asubo Ladies FC on 25 October before travelling to Kayindu Playground to face Luweero Giant Queens on 31 October. All three fixtures are scheduled to kick off at 4 pm.
Lady Cardinals missed out on promotion last season after finishing four points behind the group leaders. However, head coach Colline Ahumuza believes the team’s extended pre-season preparations have put them in a better position to compete for promotion.
“The team has had a good and long pre-season preparation and managed to play friendlies with top-flight teams. No serious injuries sustained, so the ladies are motivated and ready to do the job at hand,” Ahumuza said.
She added that the team’s objectives this season include securing promotion to the Super League and winning gold at the university games, having fallen short in both competitions last season.
The Lady Cardinals lost their opening three league matches last season, a setback that affected their chances of finishing top and securing promotion.
Assistant captain Jane Nantongo acknowledged the impact of those early defeats but praised the team’s recovery.
“We lost three games, and this cost us. Maybe we would have been number one, but I am super proud of my teammates because even after such a setback, we finished second, which was the best comeback we have ever achieved,” Nantongo said.
Ahead of the new campaign, UCU has strengthened their squad with seven players: Esther Babirye, Moreen Kitimbo, Annystanzia Mbeiza, Daphine Doreen Apio, Anna Birwanya, Elizabeth Nanyombi, and Flavia Nalwanga.
Ahumuza said the additions would address the squad depth challenges experienced in previous seasons.
“These players will add squad depth for the team because previously we have been having a challenge of numbers,” she said.
The new signings are expected to increase competition for places and provide more options as the team seeks to improve on last season’s performance.
One of the new players, Moreen Kitimbo, expressed her enthusiasm about joining the squad.
“I am so happy to be part of this team, and I can’t wait for what lies ahead this season,” Kitimbo said.
Nantongo said the new players had been introduced to the team’s promotion ambitions.
“We gave the new members the same objective of being the seed one this season so that we get promoted to the top league, and we have set the bar high by showing them the benefits of hard work,” she said.
The assistant captain also revealed that she had received her first national team call-up, an opportunity she believes will contribute to her development ahead of the new season.
“I got my first national team call-up, and I believe this is going to give me the experience I need to be ready to start this season, and this has motivated me to stay focused even more,” Nantongo added.
With two home fixtures against Dream Girls Soccer Academy and Asubo Ladies before their first away trip to Luweero Giant Queens, the Lady Cardinals have an opportunity to make a stronger start than last season as they pursue a return to Uganda’s top tier of women’s football.
