Ugandan international and attacking midfielder Usama Arafat Kiza has attracted interest from South African top-flight clubs Marumo Gallants FC and TS Galaxy, with both sides making direct contact as they seek to secure a move, Footy-Africa has exclusively learned.
This development follows days of speculation linking the two clubs—alongside Durban City FC and Vipers SC—with the highly talented player. Arafat is set to leave 13-time Uganda Premier League champions KCCA FC after the two parties failed to agree on a contract extension, with his current deal expiring on June 30.
In an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa, a source at Prosper Sports Agency, which represents the 20-year-old, confirmed that the interest is no longer a rumour, as both Marumo Gallants and TS Galaxy have made formal approaches and are now scrambling for his signature.
“Things are happening very fast with Usama (Arafat), and decisions will have to be made between Marumo Gallants and TS Galaxy,” the source said.
In last summer’s transfer window, Arafat saw two potential moves fall through—one to Egypt’s ZED FC and another to Morocco’s Wydad AC—due to unmet financial terms and injuries, respectively.
This season, Arafat has faced several injury setbacks at KCCA, limiting him to just 10 appearances across all competitions. Despite that, he managed to score four goals and provide three assists.
Last season, he featured in 26 matches in the Uganda Premier League and CAF Confederation Cup, scoring 10 goals and registering six assists. His consistent performances earned him call-ups to both the Uganda U20 team (the Hippos) and the senior national team (the Cranes).
As assistant captain of the Uganda U20 side, he helped the team win a silver medal at the 2024 All-Africa Games in Accra, Ghana, scoring three goals and assisting twice in five appearances. He has also earned two senior caps with the Uganda Cranes.
