It is with great delight that we announce Abdul Kalanzi has signed a five year contract extension with Lugazi FC, keeping him at the club until 2031.

The effervescent, stylish, and immensely endowed versatile attacking midfielder who is in his second stint at Lugazi FC, first joined the team in 2021. His impact was immediate – playing a pivotal role in promoting the club to the FUFA big league which marked a significant achievement for the Leaders.

He then had a sojourn at CATDA FC before he returned to the Lugazi FC Stadium in September 2023.

With 20 appearances in the second tier last season, Kalanzi showed up with two goals and seven assists which delighted everyone as the team sportingly earned promotion to the Uganda premier league.

Apparently, he has three goals and four assists after just nine games across all competitions in his first season of topflight football.

And he is hoping to stretch his enviable performances after signing the contract extension with the club.

“I have had some fantastic time at Lugazi FC and I’m delighted to extend my stay here,” Kalanzi said.

“Gaining promotion to the topflight last season was extremely special and it’s even more exciting to play in the Uganda premier league with this team.”

 “I love the coaches here, my team-mates and the fans and hope we can share even more great memories in the coming years.”

From the moment Kalanzi returned in 2023, it was clear that the club had re-acquired a very special talent, and the news of this development has sparked excitement among the Leaders.

Since the KCCA FC game, he has gone on to establish himself as the beating heart of Steven Bogere’s side.

Rather than being pigeon-holed as a player who operates in one specific position, the youngster stands as a team player in every sense of the word.

Be it playing from wide areas, operating more centrally in the team’s engine room, being deployed on the first line of the attack, Kalanzi has demonstrated time and again he possesses both the talent and temperament to implement whatever is required to serve the needs of the side.

That selfless commitment to the team and his special qualities as a player have underscored why the club values him so highly.

If any player truly encapsulates Lugazi FC at our attacking style, then arguably it’s the image of Kalanzi in full flight.

The sight of our medium-sized but explosive playmaker taking the game to our opponents with ease ignites a sense of pride. His natural talent, iron-clad commitment and unquenchable spirit elicits the very best out of his team-mates too.

He has also conjured up a number of special strikes and assists – helping the Leaders secure points.

Few will ever forget his brilliant equaliser away to SC Villa, and the spectacular free kick against BUL FC – oooh! It was magical.

That quality alongside an infectious enthusiasm and engaging character have cemented a special bond between the player and the club.

For if any player was born to play for Lugazi FC, then surely it’s our number 16.

Dear Uganda premier league, brace for more Kalanzi magic as the Leaders enjoy his master-class!