Lira City Council Football Club (LCC FC) has set its sights on promotion to the FUFA Big League this season, with the club’s management expressing confidence in a revamped squad ahead of the 2026/27 Northern Regional League campaign.
Speaking during a press briefing with journalists at Lavington Park on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the club’s chief executive officer, John Baptist Opua, said LCC FC had spent five years nurturing football talent, with some of its players progressing to competitions such as the Uganda Premier League (UPL), FUFA Drum and Dwog Paco, among others.
Opua said the club had invested in human resource development and player preparations, adding that the team is ready to honour all its fixtures throughout the season. He applauded the club’s sponsors, including Meru Investment Ltd and Unity FM, for supporting its activities while calling on fans and other stakeholders to rally behind the team.
He added that promotion to Uganda’s top-flight league would create economic opportunities for Lira City residents through increased business activity associated with football matches and other club activities.
LCC FC chairperson Emmanuel Komakech said the club’s new management is determined to build a competitive and well-organised team capable of securing promotion to the FUFA Big League next season.
Komakech also appealed to supporters and other stakeholders to address concerns about the club through constructive dialogue rather than criticism, saying disagreements should be resolved amicably around the table.
The club’s head coach, Dan Ogwal Engwedo, said he had restructured the squad, bringing in 11 new players out of the 13 signings he had targeted for the season. He expressed optimism that the new recruits would strengthen the team and improve its chances of achieving promotion.
Engwedo attributed the club’s failure to secure promotion last season to injuries and financial constraints, despite finishing third, four points behind the team that occupied second place. He said the technical team had reviewed its previous performance, identified weaknesses, and assessed its strengths to prepare for the new campaign.
Team captain Ayo Emmanuel said the players are ready for the season, noting that the improved squad had provided more options and depth compared with last season, when the team struggled with a limited number of players.
LCC FC were defeated 1 – 0 in a friendly match against Uganda Premier League side Blacks Power FC on October 14 at Lango College Playground, and will play another friendly match against University Football side Lira University, before opening their Northern Regional League campaign against SC Tawai on October 20, 2026, at Angwecibange Primary School Playground in Dokolo Town Council.