Ugandan international and defender Kenneth Semakula has completed a big-money switch from Tunisian giants Club Africain to Kuwaiti top-tier side Al Arabi SC, with the latter unveiling him earlier on Wednesday.
In an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa, the 22-year-old has vowed to help Al Arabi to the top-flight championship. The team fell just short last campaign in their pursuit for the title, as they finished second, behind Kuwait SC.
The center-back, who can also operate as a rightback as well as a midfielder, has sealed a lucrative two-year β¬750,000 deal, which signals his rise in the international football market. This comes after just one year with Club Africain, which he had joined last year at the start of the 2024/25 season.
βIt’s an honor that I keep growing in my career, it’s an absolute pleasure to join such an ambitious club,β Semakula said before adding: βThey (Al Arabi) have been clear in what they want to achieve next season and the coming years and I’m very much invested in that, I pledge to work towards that. I want to win trophies with this great club, as I keep improving as well. It’s important that I keep maturing into the player I eventually want to be. All my years, I have been a team player, and that’s not going to change. I’m focusing on improving myself, my teammates and the team to achieve big things.β
After a solid season in Tunisia, where he made 20 appearances, Semakula attracted attention from several clubs across the Middle East, with Al Arabi SC netting his signature. While Club Africain has been paid β¬750,000, the player has received β¬133,000 as sign-on bonuses.
Before his one-year spell at Club Africain, Semakula spent three successful campaigns at SC Villa. He captained them to their 17th Uganda Premier League championship in the 2023/24 season. Previously, he has featured for Jinja based sides BUL FC and Busoga United in the Uganda Premier League.
At just 22, Semakula has already showcased maturity beyond his years, racking 28 competitive caps with the Uganda Cranes. He was a pillar in the successful 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign. He has also previously represented Uganda at the U17 and U20 levels.
