Kitara FC have set reaching the CAF Confederation Cup group stages as their target as Hoima prepares to host continental club football for the first time.
The Royals face Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club at Hoima City Stadium on Sunday in the first leg of their preliminary-round tie.
The occasion will mark another milestone for Kitara, but also for Bunyoro, which has previously watched Uganda’s continental representatives stage their home matches elsewhere.
Kitara chief executive officer Joshua Atugonza believes bringing continental football home provides the club and its supporters with an occasion worth celebrating.
“We are excited that, for the first time, we are going to play a continental game at home, not just in Uganda, but here in Hoima and Bunyoro,” Atugonza said.
“It is quite a historic moment, and we believe the fans are going to enjoy the first continental game of its kind here.”
Only 17,000 spectators will be permitted inside Hoima City Stadium, but Atugonza says interest has stretched beyond Bunyoro ahead of Sunday’s encounter.
Supporters have been purchasing tickets and club merchandise, while Kitara have also received inquiries from football fans planning journeys from different parts of Uganda.
“The situation is jovial and everyone is happy, but this game is not for the Banyoro alone because Kitara is representing Uganda,” Atugonza said.
“We have received calls from as far as Arua, Mbale and Mukono, while people across the country have also bought tickets online.”
Atugonza believes the demand could eventually exceed the number of supporters permitted inside the stadium for the historic fixture.
“We expect a big turnout, and it could even exceed the 17,000 people that we are talking about,” he added.
Beyond celebrating continental football finally arriving in Hoima, Kitara are determined to ensure their second African campaign lasts considerably longer than their first.
Kitara made their continental debut in the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup after winning the Uganda Cup, but their campaign ended during the preliminary rounds.
Two years later, Atugonza says merely participating is no longer enough, with the club setting its sights on reaching the competition’s group stages.
“We have always set targets whenever we qualify for the Confederation Cup, although this is only our second time,” Atugonza explained.
“The first time, we said the mere fact that we honoured the fixture was credit to us, but this time our target is the group stages.”
Kitara must first negotiate the challenge presented by Mogadishu City Club before contemplating the tougher opposition potentially waiting in subsequent rounds.
“We are working hard to ensure we see off Mogadishu and then progress to the second round,” Atugonza said.
“We may face a big team, but we will only have respect for them. We do not fear them.”
Sunday therefore represents considerably more than Hoima’s first experience of continental club football for a Kitara side determined to make history beyond its home stadium.