Kitara fans were left in despair after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to NEC turned the much-anticipated launch of their new home ground, Royals Park Stadium, in Butema, Hoima City, into a sour experience.
What was expected to be a day of celebration in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League turned into a sorrowful occasion as NEC FC dampened the spirits of the home crowd with their victory.
The match, which had drawn large crowds from early Thursday morning, saw Kitara supporters arrive in high hopes, dressed in their team colors, as they filled the stadium for the official launch of the facility.
Cars and boda bodas carrying fans could be seen heading to Butema, 18 kilometers from Hoima Town, as excitement built for what was meant to be a historic day for the club.
The atmosphere inside Royals Park was electric, with bull roasting, drinks, and performances by local artists keeping the crowd entertained ahead of kickoff.
However, the joy was short-lived as NEC's Enock Ssebagala struck first in the 51st minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Kitara responded with a penalty equalizer from Living Kabon in the 70th minute, briefly restoring hope to the home supporters.
Unfortunately, the hope did not last. NEC's Wahab Gadafi sealed the game with a goal in the 80th minute, leaving Kitara's fans heartbroken.
As the final whistle blew, NEC players celebrated and quickly boarded their waiting bus, while Kitara fans and players were left to reflect on what had gone wrong.
Deo Kasozi, the president of Kitara, attributed the loss to player fatigue and the unfamiliarity of the new stadium.
"It's shocking. We had hoped for a win to give our fans joy on this historic day, but our players are not yet used to the new pitch. Moving forward, we will improve and give our supporters the wins they deserve," Kasozi said.
Despite the disappointing result, Kasozi highlighted the club's impressive gate collection, which amounted to Shs 55 million, the highest they have ever received. He urged fans to remain optimistic and continue supporting the club.
"This is just the start of the season. We will bounce back, and our next match against KCCA in Kampala will be our chance to prove ourselves," Kasozi promised.
While the club's leadership remained hopeful, the loss affected many of the local businesses that had prepared for a day of booming sales.
James Ajuna, a vendor who had borrowed money to purchase chicken for the event, expressed his frustration.
"I was sure we were going to win, so I invested heavily, but when NEC scored, everything changed. Now I have to figure out how to repay the loan," he lamented.
Johnson Karuhanga, a fan who came to witness the launch, shared his disappointment: "They assured us it would be a great day, but now everyone is leaving disappointed.
Even my girlfriend, who loves the club, hasn’t spoken to me since the game ended.
The club should be careful not to raise false hopes."
Another fan, Jane Kirungi, questioned the decision to play against a strong team like NEC FC for the stadium's inaugural match. "It’s embarrassing to launch our new stadium with a loss. They should have played a weaker team to guarantee a win. This feels like bad luck, almost like a wedding gone wrong," Kirungi remarked.
Senior sports journalist Okello Emmanuel noted that Kitara's loss could have been avoided with better team selection.
"The coach needs to carefully choose his starting 11. With so many experienced players on the roster, it's crucial to field the best team. If not, we may continue losing, despite having the capacity to win," he advised.
As the stadium began to empty by 6:30pm, the Kitara management and players stayed behind to discuss the result and their next steps.
While the day may not have ended in triumph, the club remains hopeful that future matches will bring the success their supporters are eager for.