We don’t fear them – Atugonza fires Kitara warning

“We may face a big team after we see off Mogadishu City Club but we only have respect for them but we don’t fear them,” Atugonza said as Kitara brace for their first continental home game in Hoima.

It is a bold statement from a club preparing for only its second continental campaign, but Kitara are no longer content with simply showing up.

This time, the target is the group stage; “The target is not now honouring. It is group stages,” Atugonza said.

“We are struggling to ensure we see all and then go up to the second round.”

Before that ambition can grow, Kitara must first navigate a tricky preliminary round tie against Mogadishu City Club, who come into the contest with recent competitive exposure from the CECAFA Kagame Cup.

Kitara FC starting XI that faced SC Villa in their opening day match of the 2026/27 UPL season at the Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku

But the biggest story on Sunday could be unfolding off the pitch as much as on it.

Hoima is preparing for a football occasion it has never witnessed before continental club football on home soil.

Atugonza believes the significance has not been lost on the community.

“It’s going to be the first of its kind and we’re playing a continental game at home, not in Uganda but in Hoima and in Bunyoro at Hoima City Stadium,” he said.

“It’s quite a historical moment and we pray and believe that the fans are going to enjoy the first game of its kind at a continental level.”

The excitement is already building, with supporters from across Uganda showing interest in the match;

“This game is not for Bunyoro alone. This game is for all Ugandans because Kitara is representing Uganda,” Atugonza said.

“We’ve had calls from Arua as far as Mbale, as far as Mukono and the entire country.”

Tickets are reportedly moving, while demand for Kitara jerseys has added to the match day buzz.

With the stadium cleared for 17,000 spectators, Atugonza believes even that figure could be tested.

“People have bought tickets online and people are coming. If the camera person would even show how people are skipping in to buy tickets and jerseys, I would expect a lot of turn up. It could even exceed the 17,000 people you’re talking about.” while talking to CK Sports Africa’s Clive Kyazze on NTV’s Sport Today.

For Kitara, the occasion is historic but the ambition, however, is bigger, their first continental appearance was about taking part and honouring the fixture away in Libya where they played both legs, this time, Atugonza says, simply being there is no longer enough.

“The first time we said the mere fact that we honour the fixture was also credit to us,” he said.

“This time we said the target is not now honouring. It is group stages.”

The continental journey begins on Sunday, September 6, when Mogadishu City Club host Kitara at Hoima City Stadium in the first leg, with kick off set for 4pm.

The return leg will come six days later, on Saturday, September 12, at the same venue, also starting at 4pm.

That gives Kitara two home dates to make the most of their familiar surroundings as they chase a place in the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary round.