URA FC is delighted to confirm the signing of forward Derrick Kakooza on a two-year contract.
Kakooza joins the Tax Collectors as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Albanian side Tërbuni Pukë, where he featured in 2025.
The 23-year-old has been training with the club for over three months and impressed the management and technical team led by head coach Hussein Mbalangu, earning himself a permanent deal.
The forward arrives at a crucial time as URA FC looks to strengthen its attacking options and ease the scoring burden that has challenged the side this season.
Kakooza: “I’m Ready to Pay Back the Trust”
Speaking to the club website after putting pen to paper, an emotional Kakooza expressed gratitude to the club leadership for believing in him.
“I want to thank the management and the technical team for the trust they have shown in me during the time I have been training here. It means a lot because they gave me an opportunity to prove myself. I promise to pay back that trust with hard work, commitment and goals for this club.”
The forward acknowledged the team’s current struggles in front of goal and is eager to contribute.
“I know the team has been working hard but scoring goals hasn’t been easy. As a striker, that responsibility excites me. I want to help the club score again, win matches and bring smiles back to our fans.”
On a career that once showed immense promise before facing setbacks, Kakooza admitted the journey has not been smooth, but he is determined to rise again.
“Yes, there were moments when things did not move the way many expected, but I have put all that aside. This is a fresh chapter for me. With Coach Mbalangu giving me trust, I am going to work hard to pay it back and get back to where I belong. But it will take teamwork, discipline and consistency. I am ready for that challenge.”
Coach Mbalangu Backs New Forward
Head coach Hussein Mbalangu believes Kakooza has the qualities needed to flourish at URA FC.
“Derrick is a promising forward with a lot of potential. With proper guidance and good management, we believe he will help us. He has shown good signs in training, and now we want him to translate that into performances on match days.”
Player Profile
Born in Kampala, Kakooza started his football journey at Naguru Police Academy before joining Police Kampala.
His breakthrough came during the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, where he shone for the Uganda Hippos and attracted interest from Belgian giants R.S.C. Anderlecht.
Domestically, he scored eight goals in 18 games across two seasons at Police FC before sealing a move to Latvian side Valmiera FC in early 2022.
He later featured in the Finnish League Cup for KuPS, signed for Egyptian Premier League side ENPPI SC in January 2023, and had subsequent spells with Ethiopian Coffee before his stint at Tërbuni Pukë in Albania.
Internationally, Kakooza represented the Uganda Hippos at the 2021 U-20 AFCON, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer and helping the team to a runners-up finish.
He has also earned caps with the senior Uganda Cranes.
He now joins fellow mid-season signings Moses Waiswa, Disan Galiwango and Rahmat Ssenfuka as URA FC reinforces its squad for the remainder of the campaign.
Quick Glance at Derrick Kakooza
Name: Derrick Kakooza
Date of Birth: 23rd October 2002
Previous Clubs:
2019–2021: Police Kampala
2022: Valmiera II
: 2023: KuPS
2023: ENPPI
2023–2024: Ethiopian Coffee
: 2025: Tërbuni Pukë
2026: URA FC
International Career:
2021: Uganda Hippos (U20)
2022: Uganda Cranes
Honours:
Uganda U20 – Africa U-20 Cup of Nations Runner-up (2021)
Individual:
U-20 AFCON Golden Boot (2021)
Welcome to the Tax Collectors family, Derrick Kakooza — #AKidFromKawempe