Mukula Unveils Football Academy & Club To Nurture Teso Talent

 December 13, 2025   |    56 views

By Our Reporter

SOROTOI CITY-In a thrilling turn of events, Captain Mike Mukula, the former NRM Chairman for Eastern Region and the fearless Commander of the Arrow Boys, has unleashed a footballing storm in Teso.

The launch also marked the birth of a new era – one that will see Teso emerge as a powerhouse of footballing talent, capable of taking on the best in the country and beyond.

The launch which was held at Timisha Hotel in Soroti, marks what Capt. Mukula described as “the beginning of a strong, fundamental football powerhouse capable of out competing established teams in Uganda.”

Capt. Mukula revealed that the Arrow Boys FC, nicknamed “The Black Bombers”, and the Arrow Boys Academy, known as “The Ninjas”, will nurture raw local talent and develop young players into professional athletes capable of reaching national and international levels.

He emphasized that football remains one of the biggest unifying factors in Uganda just as the original Arrow Boys were united in 2003 when they successfully pushed LRA rebels out of the region.

Mukula also announced ambitious plans to improve sports infrastructure in Teso, beginning with Oligoi Playground, which will serve as the official home of Arrow Boys FC.

“Oligoi is going to change. We plan to install turf, fence the field, and add floodlights so that games can be played even at night,” he confirmed.

He further pledged to spearhead the lobbying for the long-awaited Teso Stadium, adding that other sports such as rugby, motorsport, motorbike racing, and athletics will soon be promoted as part of a broader sports development agenda.

The club and academy are designed to give talented youth a platform to refine their skills and access opportunities that can transform their lives. 

Mukula noted that with proper coaching and exposure, Teso’s players could rise to elite national clubs such as SC Villa and Express, and even secure professional contracts in European leagues.

“This initiative will restore pride, uplift communities, and position Teso as a new hotspot for football talent,” he added.

Frank Video Anyau, a Germany-trained coach heading the technical team, underscored that football is now a global industry and one of the world’s top investments.

He noted that football keeps young people mentally and physically fit, creates business opportunities, brings communities together, and helps reduce crime rates.

Anyau announced plans to train primary school teachers to strengthen sports development at village level ensuring that talent is identified and nurtured from early childhood.

FUFA North Eastern Region chairman, John Odongo, applauded Capt. Mukula’s investment in sports, observing that football is expensive and requires dedication, resources, and sacrifice. 

He urged the people of Teso to fully support the initiative and pledged his collaboration to ensure its success.

Michael Erebu, owner of Soroti Junior Eagles FC, praised Mukula for championing sports growth in the region and expressed confidence that Teso can now produce its first-ever team to qualify for the Uganda Premier League.

Latif Abdul, 2026 Soroti City East Mayoral candidate, said the launch of the Arrow Boys FC will strengthen lobbying efforts for the construction of a modern stadium and an airport in Soroti, alongside other sports facilities. 

He called for unity and respect toward senior leaders like Capt. Mukula, who he said has made countless significant contributions to the development of Teso.

Sports lovers who attended the launch vowed to mobilize support for the club and academy. 

Some retired players noted that in the past, lack of support and benefits forced many to abandon football early but with Mukula’s initiative, the future now looks bright.

Abdulu Latif, a sports icon and mayoral aspirant for Soroti City East Division, said the initiative started by Hon. Mike Mukula is going to connect people of all different walks of life because sports is a unifying factor in the world. 

He pledged to lobby the council, if elected as mayor, to allocate reasonable funding to the sports sector to feed the Arrow Boys Sports Academy and the club with professional players, and also upgrade the sports facilities in schools to help grow and develop young talents.

Richard Etidu, the Soroti District Sports Officer, appreciated Mukula for coming out as an investor in the sports sector, which many people have not valued its gains because of it being an expensive venture to run.

Michael Erebu, the coach of the academy and the club, who also doubles as an executive member of Uganda Youth Football Association, thanked Mukula for coming up with such a sports investment, which is going to employ and occupy many young people, hence reducing the crime rate and abuse of narcotic drugs in Teso.

Frank Anyau, the former football coach of Uganda Cranes under 21 and 23 players, asked the people of Teso to embrace sports because it contributes to one’s physical fitness and health and also earns money for individual players and the community.

John Odongo, the Chairperson FUFA North East Region, said investing in sports by Mukula is going to change the economy of Teso because sports is a business with a lot of money. 

He pledged to mobilize the members of FUFA executive to support Mukula’s initiative to grow and develop the sports sector in Uganda.