Two Ugandan Youngsters Sign Five-Year Deals With UAE Giants Al Ain FC

Two Ugandan Youngsters Sign Five-Year Deals With UAE Giants Al Ain FC

From Your left Manager Mugisha in the Middle is Kirungi Derrick Bob.

Ugandan football is celebrating another milestone on the international stage after two promising youngsters, Ivan Omara and Derrick Bob Kirungi, signed five-year professional contracts with UAE Pro League giants Al Ain FC.

The pair, both central figures in Al Ain’s U23 setup, completed the move after progressing through three years of youth development abroad under Uplift Sports Management. Their breakthrough comes at a time when Al Ain, the most decorated club in the UAE, is preparing for the new season in Spain with its U23 squad.

Omara, a commanding central defender, and Kirungi, an exciting attacking talent, are both former students of Kibuli Secondary School. The duo featured for Al Ain U23 in a preseason friendly against English Premier League side West Ham U23 in Spain, where the Emirati side secured an impressive 3-1 victory. Given their age and development stage, both players are expected to feature prominently for Al Ain’s U23 team this season before pushing for first-team opportunities.

Founded in 1968 by players from Al Ain, Bahraini exchange students, and members of the Sudanese community working in the UAE, Al Ain FC has grown into a continental powerhouse. The club quickly rose to prominence and now holds the record for the most trophies in UAE football history with 40 titles.

Al Ain is the most successful club in the UAE. Their honors include a record 15 UAE Pro League titles, 8 President’s Cups, 5 Super Cups, 3 Federation Cups, 2 League Cups, 2 Abu Dhabi Championships, 1 Joint League, 1 Gulf Club Champions Cup, 2 AFC Champions League titles, and 1 Emirati-Moroccan Super Cup. Al Ain also made history as the first and only UAE club to win the AFC Champions League.

Joining such a decorated institution marks a huge step for the two Ugandans, who left home as teenagers with the dream of playing professional football at the highest level.

Speaking on the achievement, Uplift Sports Management boss Mugisha described the move as a proud moment for the agency and for Ugandan football development:

“The ultimate goal for any football agent is to place a player in an environment where he can grow, be exposed, and ultimately secure his future. For us at Uplift Sports Management, this is a very proud and emotional moment.

These two young men left Uganda three years ago as schoolboys with big dreams but no professional contracts, because they were still under 18. Since then, they have gone through a structured process of education, discipline, and football development. To see them now competing at a professional level, representing one of the biggest clubs in the Middle East, and performing on big stages like against West Ham U23, shows that patience and proper planning work.

We are extremely motivated by this progress. This is only the beginning. Our hope and target is to see Ivan and Derrick continue to develop, break into Al Ain’s first team, and eventually take the next step to top European leagues.

To parents across Uganda, I want to say this: we at Uplift are open to working with talented and disciplined young players. We don’t just focus on football. We ensure that our players continue with their education while pursuing their professional careers. We already have several Ugandan players abroad, and we believe this is just the start of many more success stories.”

Kirungi in action against West Ham U23 side Yesterday

The signing of Ivan Omara and Derrick Bob Kirungi is more than just a transfer it is proof that structured youth development and patience can open doors to professional football. At a club with Al Ain’s pedigree and history, the two Ugandans now have the platform to grow, compete, and potentially use the UAE as a launchpad to Europe. For Ugandan football, it is another signal that the country’s young talent can thrive abroad when given the right guidance and opportunity.

Uplift Sports Management Partners With Italian Agency Goal Club Football To Boost Ugandan Talent Pathways

The collaboration is designed to create stronger international pathways for Ugandan players by combining Uplift’s local talent identification and development model with Goal Club’s European network, scouting systems, and transfer expertise. According to Uplift officials, the goal of the partnership is to build bridges for Ugandan players by giving them direct access to European clubs, better exposure, and professional structures to support them from Uganda all the way to the top level.

The partnership comes at a time when Uplift has already started producing results on the global stage, with players like Ivan Omara and Derrick Bob Kirungi recently signing professional deals with UAE giants Al Ain FC. Linking up with an established European agency is expected to open more doors for Ugandan youngsters into competitive leagues in Europe, while also ensuring they receive proper guidance on contracts, education, and career management.

Leading the partnership on the Ugandan side is Barigye Innocent, a FIFA-licensed agent representing Uplift Sports Management. On the Italian side, the collaboration will be coordinated by Oscar Mossio, also a FIFA-licensed agent at Goal Club Football Agency based in Italy

Both agents bring years of experience in player representation and international transfers. Their joint work will focus on scouting, player placement, legal support, and long-term career planning for Ugandan footballers aspiring to play abroad. Uplift officials emphasized that every player presented through the partnership will not only be talented, but also prepared for the demands of professional football in Europe.

FIFA Licensed Agent – Barigye Innocent

The alliance between Uplift Sports Management and Goal Club Football Agency marks a new chapter for Ugandan football. By merging local development with international expertise, the partnership aims to give young Ugandan players a clearer, more professional route to Europe. With licensed agents like Barigye Innocent and Oscar Mossio driving the process, the hope is to see more Ugandan names featuring in top leagues in the coming years.