KAMPALA — Uganda Premier League (UPL) newcomers Kigezi Homeboyz FC, popularly known as the Gorillas, have unveiled former Uganda Prime Minister Rt. Hon. John Patrick Amama Mbabazi as the club’s new Patron.
Mbabazi was unveiled on Thursday evening, August 20, 2026, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kololo, Kampala, as Kigezi Homeboyz prepare for their historic debut in Uganda’s top-flight football.
The club’s promotion has marked the return of top-flight football to the Kigezi sub-region after 25 years, following the relegation of Horizons FC.
Kigezi Homeboyz secured promotion after finishing fourth in the 2025/26 FUFA Big League season with 51 points.
They joined Blacks Power, who topped the standings with 55 points, Ntugasaze FC on 53 and Kataka FC among the four promoted sides.
The unveiling ceremony was graced by Rukiga Constituency Member of Parliament Hon. Patrick Kiconco Katabazi, alongside Kigezi Homeboyz Acting Director Dick Muhweezi, who represented club President Denis Muhangi.
A club built through perseverance
Kigezi Homeboyz’ journey to the UPL has been marked by ambition, setbacks and persistence.
The club was established in 2012 as Kabale Sharp FC before rebranding to Kigezi Homeboyz FC in 2019.
The change was intended to give the club a broader regional identity, moving beyond Kabale to represent the aspirations of the wider Kigezi region.
The club’s first major breakthrough came during the 2016/17 season when Kabale Sharp defeated Rusherere United in the Western Regional League playoffs in Kyamate, earning promotion to the FUFA Big League for the first time.
They finished third in their maiden Big League campaign and earned a place in the UPL playoffs, only to see their top-flight dream ended by Paidha Black Angels.
The following season brought further challenges, with inconsistency, limited squad depth and financial constraints affecting the club’s progress.
Several key players departed in search of better opportunities.
In 2019, the club underwent a significant transformation when it was rebranded from Kabale Sharp FC to Kigezi Homeboyz FC under new owner Denis Muhangi.
The new identity strengthened the club’s regional appeal and helped cultivate broader community support, although financial and sporting challenges persisted.
The Gorillas were relegated from the FUFA Big League during the disrupted 2019/20 campaign before suffering another painful setback the following season, losing to Kalokarungi on penalties in the Western Region playoff.
Their fortunes changed in 2023 when Kigezi Homeboyz defeated Buhimba over two legs to secure their return to the FUFA Big League.
After two seasons of mixed results, the 2025/26 campaign finally delivered the breakthrough the club had long pursued — promotion to the Uganda Premier League.
Muhweezi highlights the club’s next challenges
Speaking at the unveiling, Acting Director Dick Muhweezi described the occasion as a landmark moment while outlining the club’s ambition to build a sustainable football structure in the region.
“This is an historic land mark for this great club.
I’m happy to inform you, as we gathered here today, Kigezi Homeboyz Football Academy is officially registered as a community based Academy with 50 children/young players.”
Muhweezi also pointed to infrastructure, sponsorship and transport as some of the major challenges facing the club as it enters the UPL.
“Our new Patron, this club has over the years endured challenges in modern infrastructure like training grounds, insufficient sponsorship.
The club’s big sponsor is the president Muhangi.
Transport is another burden. We plan to acquire a bus to upgrade from our very old coaster.”
Mbabazi embraces regional responsibility
For Mbabazi, accepting the role goes beyond football. The former Prime Minister Emeritus said he views the club as an institution capable of uniting and inspiring the Kigezi region.
“It is with great pride, humility and gratitude that I stand before you today to accept this responsibility, not simply because I love football but because I believe in what this club can mean to our region.”
He congratulated the players, administrators, supporters and sponsors for achieving promotion, while cautioning that reaching the top flight should be viewed as the beginning of a bigger journey.
“I congratulate the players, administrators, fans and sponsors for making it to the UPL. However, coming to the top flight is not the end, but a beginning of a bigger ambition.”
Mbabazi also praised the club’s name, saying it carries a strong connection to the region and its identity.
“I’m happy for the choice of the name, it tells us of where our roots are and the club is to carry our aspirations as a region.”
The new Patron revealed that his connection with sport stretches back to his youth, when he participated in athletics, rugby and football, before later becoming a fan and administrator.
“Sports has always the most part of my life as an athlete in Athletics, rugby and football during my youth days to a fan and now an administrator.”
With Kigezi Homeboyz now preparing to compete against Uganda’s established top-flight clubs, Mbabazi stressed the importance of building a culture based on discipline and integrity rather than focusing solely on results.
“So, I understand the desire to win but we must win with integrity, and discipline.
Sports is much more than winning matches and trophies, it builds characters, teaches discipline and unites people.
The ambition to build structured football in Kigezi region is what we should encourage.”
A call to the Kigezi community
Mbabazi stopped short of promising immediate success in the UPL, instead pledging his commitment to the club and calling for collective ownership of its ambitions.
“I can not promise that we will win every match, but I can promise that I will stand with this club.
No patron can build a great football club alone. A great football club is built by a united and determined community.
I therefore call upon sons and daughters of the great Kigezi region within Uganda and the diaspora come and be part of this great but heavy journey.”
Kigezi Homeboyz will now turn their attention to their maiden Uganda Premier League campaign, carrying with them the hopes of a region that has waited a quarter of a century to see top-flight football return.
With a registered community academy already established and plans for improved infrastructure, transport and sponsorship, the Gorillas’ UPL promotion represents not only a sporting milestone, but an opportunity to build a lasting football institution in Kigezi.
