The Bunyoro-Kitara derby between Kitara FC and Buhimba United Saints FC has been moved to the newly built Hoima City Stadium, which will host its first competitive match on Friday at 4pm.
The Matchday 21 fixture in the Uganda Premier League was initially scheduled for The Royals Park in Butema on Friday March 13.
However, the league secretariat approved Kitara’s request to stage the game at the new stadium after confirming that all hosting requirements had been met.
The move means the derby will mark the first league match played at the modern facility. Built by Turkish firm MS Summa, the stadium was officially opened in December last year by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Constructed at a cost of about $129 million (around Shs500 billion), the stadium is one of Uganda’s venues for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Mandela National Stadium.
Friday’s encounter is expected to attract huge crowds from across the Bunyoro region as the two rivals battle for pride and points.
There is also a twist in the story. Striker Edson Agondeze, who scored the winner for Buhimba in their 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture, has since joined Kitara and will face his former club in the historic match.
