Onduparaka FC’s relegation from the Uganda Premier League has been confirmed today, Tuesday, 16th May 2023 following their 1-0 loss to Maroons FC in their matchday 26 league outing in Luzira, Kampala.
The lonely strike was courtesy of Darius Ojok who scored his fifth goal of the season in less than 12 matches. Maroons on the other hand climb fourth (40 points) on the log after the victory.
Onduparaka will be attempting to achieve promotion back to the top tier division by competing in the 2023/24 Big League, a competition they were last involved in the 2015/2016 season that saw them promoted to the Uganda Premier League for the first time after a historic campaign.
The loss means that Onduparaka are at the rock bottom of the 15-team table with just 16 points. Second last side Blacks Power have 23 points after 25 matches and are not yet safe.
Busoga United who stunned Arua Hill 1-4 on the same day at the Barifa Stadium have boosted their survival chances. They are now 12th with 27 points after 26 games, a point above 13th placed UPDF FC who have also played the same number of games. Arua Hill are safe as they have 38 points.
*About Onduparaka
Onduparaka started as a village team in the area with no clear goal other than just playing for fun.
In 2002 they registered for the village Christmas Cup which they won and it was from here that they got inspired to register their team in the West Nile Fourth Division league in 2006 where they finished with a 100% record.
Playing in the Third Division League during the 2012 season, Onduparaka defeated Koboko Rising in the final to qualify for West Nile Regional League.
All this season, the club did not have their own home ground and they found refuge at a Catholic Church playground.
In 2014-2015 they won the West Nile Regional League which got them promoted to the FUFA Big League with an unbeaten run under Coach Allan Kabonge.
During the 2014/2015 season they opened their new stadium Green Light Stadium in August and invited URA FC for a friendly game that ended 0-0.
At the beginning of the 2015/2016, Big League season Onduparaka believed they could get into the Azam Uganda Premier League, and it actually happened. They topped the Elgon Group 53 points when they won their last game of the season 3-0 against Sporting United to gain automatic promotion to the premier league.
Uganda Premier League
Tuesday
•Arua Hill 1-4 Busoga United
•Blacks Power 3-2 Gaddafi
•KCCA 1-0 BUL
•Maroons 1-0 Onduparaka
•UPDF 0-2 SC Villa
•Vipers 5-2 Express
•Wakiso Giants 2-0 Bright Stars
