Blacks Power FC head coach Michael Lukyamuzi “Skills” has opened up on his team’s impressive first-round performance in an exclusive one-on-one interview with Pacu Pacu Sports. The Lira City-based side finished top of the FUFA Big League table at the close of the first round, underlining their clear intention of returning to the Uganda Premier League.
Coach Lukyamuzi, a German-trained tactician and UEFA C certificate holder, took over the reins at the start of the 2025/26 season. He replaced Bob Obira, who guided the team to a fourth-place finish last season, missing promotion by just a single point. With renewed belief, structure, and ambition, Blacks Power FC have since emerged as serious promotion contenders.
Below are excerpts from the Question and Answer session with Coach Michael Lukyamuzi “Skills”:
Q. Coach, Blacks Power FC finished the first round top of the FUFA Big League table—how would you assess the team’s overall performance so far?
A. We didn't perform so bad, topping the log. We did what we were supposed to do, we were so cautious everytime so, overall, it helped us a lot. It was a good performance, the boys gave in their whole and still have a lot to learn. For me it was a fair performance.
Q. The team won all 8 home matches at Ebenezer University Ground. What has made your home ground such a fortress?
A. Yeah, we won all our 8 games at home! The intensity of which we played at home was different from the intensity we played away and that was intentional because at home we want to run definitely down, we take risks at home but away, it's hard to take risks because sometimes you can easily be hurt, so we were a bit cautious on that.
Q. Away from home, the team drew five and lost two without registering a win. What challenges did you face on the road in the first round?
A. Yeah, we drew 5 and lost 2. We didn't face many challenges only that when you visit teams, they don't play, you know! All they do is get at the back and yet you would think at their home they should play football but they don't want to play, they don't want to attack you, it's mainly a defensive game and you'll have to tear them down and try all that, at the end of the day you end up drawing.
Q. How concerned are you about the away form as you head into a very competitive second round?
A. Away form, I'm not so concerned. I think we did good, it was fair, not the best but it was fair. We didn't have the best away performance in the whole league but it was fair.
Q. What lessons have you taken from the two away defeats, and how will they shape your approach going forward?
A. All the defeats we had away, the one in Paidha it was a late mistake and we didn't head, very late in the game! Very unexpected goal. And the one against Bunyaruguru, we were missing some players but I think we picked lessons.
Q. With the top four teams earning direct promotion to the Uganda Premier League, how do you keep the squad focused and grounded?
A. The team of course has to be focused, I mean, I don't think I need to keep them focused because these are professional players who know what they want and the focus is on the direct promotion to the Uganda Premier League. I think they're all upto it, to see that we achieve that.
Q. What specific areas must improve if Blacks Power FC is to secure promotion this season?
A. A lot, I think there's a lot to be improved in specific areas for us to have a clear chance of qualifying to the Uganda Premier League.
Q. Do you plan to adjust your tactical approach, especially in away matches, during the second round?
A. Yeah, tactics to me, it's according to what we plan according to the players available and the magnitude of the game. Let's see how it goes in the training and see if we can change the approach according to what we shall have.
Q. How important will mental strength and game management be in tight second-round fixtures?
A. Yeah, second round of course is the busiest period of any football league, so it's a do or die in every game.
We want to just go and win every game, that's our plan, then we go. It needs mental strength, it's the games that give you the strength and you see where you're going, if you keep winning then it's so good, when you lose games you see something else coming up and maybe you pick up soon but we don't want to be in that state of losing, we want to be in the state of winning games and I think if you win, the squad will easily manage.
Q. Your first-choice goalkeeper, Michael Okiria, kept 8 clean sheets in 15 games. How crucial has he been to your success?
A. Yeah, Okiria is good, he's a good goalkeeper, he has been helping us in playing and shots stopping, yeah, he has had a number of saves, game changing saves you know! I commend him for that.
Q. What does Okiria bring to the team beyond shot-stopping?
A. He helps us play, he's a good person, he easily associates with his teammates. They have made a good combination at the back, so generally, he's good at very many things, not only shots stopping.
Q. How satisfied are you with the team’s defensive organization as a whole?
A. Yeah, we're the most stable team defensively in the league, you know the best defense is what wins you the championship but not the best attack. Best attack only wins you some games but when you don't defend well, you can easily lose the championship, that's why we defend as a team and attack as a team. I'm very much satisfied with our defensive work in the first round.
Q. Is defensive stability the foundation of your promotion push?
A. Of course this is a championship and the defensive stability is very important because it's the foundation, before you go to attack, you need to start the buildup from the defense. So, the way you do it matters a lot, our defense is our foundation because when we defend well, we can easily combine and create some goals.
Q. Before league action resumes, you face Regional League side Bumate United in the Stanbic Uganda Cup in Bundibugyo—how are you approaching this match?
A. Yeah, we're going to head into the Uganda Cup, we want to try out very many players, many new players will join but we need to have a strong team, see those who are fit and ready then we mix and find a better team for the game.
Q. Cup competitions are known for surprises. What dangers do you expect from Bumate United?
A. Cup competitions are full of surprises because you're away, the team knows you're stronger than them, so they prepare for you very differently and then for us, the boys tend to relax because they're playing against a Regional League side, the home team gets motivated by fans and then beat you then you end up being surprised but we want to get that in our heads because we know what can happen, so we need to go and give our whole.
Q. Will you rotate the squad for this fixture or field your strongest possible team?
A. I think I'll try to rotate the squad for this fixture and all any other Uganda Cup fixtures if we progress.
Q. How do you balance the Uganda Cup ambitions with the priority of league promotion?
A. Our main priority is the league, but Uganda Cup is there so, you have to play it, you have to go and give a good display, it's time to show who you are as Blacks Power, so you use the opportunity!
Q. Does playing away in Bundibugyo present any logistical or psychological challenges?
A. Playing in Bundibugyo, it's very far you know, everyone gets tired, the brain gets tired, it's very expensive to the bosses and... When the distance is too long, you're already down by one goal in Africa.
Q. How is the squad’s fitness and injury situation heading into this busy period?
A. The squad's fitness, we have just resumed and we shall try to assess them and see how they are, to know who has an injury and see how best we can make them better.
Q. What role does squad depth play as fixtures begin to pile up?
A. Yeah, squad depth is very important of course, we have two cups now we're playing, we need a full squad, we need everyone to be on board to maintain playing in both cups.
Q. How have the senior players helped maintain discipline and focus within the team?
A. Generally the team is very disciplined, the boys know what they want. Everything is going on well and they know how the system at the club runs.
Q. How hungry is this squad to return Blacks Power FC to the Uganda Premier League?
A. Yeah, the squad is very hungry to go back to the Uganda Premier League and it's their main focus, you can even see from in training that they want it, you know!
Q. The fans have witnessed dominant home performances—what message do you have for them as the second round approaches?
A. The fans! Yeah, it's good we have been dominant at home, we promise even to be better. That's what we work for, most especially when you're home, you should play better ebe the next day, and focus on improving the team.
Q. What should supporters expect from Blacks Power FC in terms of style and mentality in the remaining games?
A. They should expect of course what has happened, we've been good, we've been playing well. The mentality was to win our games, and nothing more, nothing less! We keep pushing, we go for the best, we keep going hard, we go to win games, maybe we'll be stronger this time round, yeah!
With strong leadership, solid organization, and growing belief, Blacks Power FC look well positioned to turn their first-round success into a full-season promotion push under the guidance of Michael Lukyamuzi “Skills.”
