Ugandan striker Denis Omedi got his name on the scoreboard on his debut game in the colors of new club APR FC as his penalty inspired the army side to a 2-0 victory over AS Kigali in the Heroes Cup semifinals. That’s a strong start the fans had been expecting from the striker who went on the win his first trophy three days later when APR FC edged Police FC 4-2 on penalties to win the 2025 Rwanda Heroes Cup. The 30-year-old Ugandan winger, alongside countryman Hakim Kiwanuka, joined APR during the January transfer window. Reflecting on his journey, Omedi described it has been an “uphill ride” balancing his roles as a nurse, then a prison warden, and later as a late-blooming professional football career. Despite the twist and turns, his recent performances suggest a promising future with APR FC, arguably Rwanda’s most successful football club. The Ugandan striker “couldn’t have wished for a better debut. Rooting for many more APR FC. I am dreaming big of scoring goals that win matches, and I always urge myself to score as many as possible. I don’t mind if I score a dozen goals in one match but I am hungry to score always.” “I must maintain a positive outlook because it’s the only way to move ahead. As a striker, I still have significant goals for this season and we hope a new chapter is going to be written in the history of the club this season” he added. Omedi’s performance in the past two games has already earned him praise from APR fans, who are hopeful he can maintain his goal-scoring form as the club pushes for more silverware. The forward will now shift focus to the Rwanda Premier League, where APR is locked in a fierce title race with league leaders Rayon Sports. Omedi’s confidence and hunger for more success will be crucial as APR look to reclaim the top spot in the league and establish dominance in Rwandan football. “On my side, I am ready to do everything possible because this environment seems to be conducive and with the support of fans and the club management I will do better in next matches” he noted Omedi’s journey with Kitara saw him score 15 goals in 36 matches in the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League season falling short of the Golden Boot by only two goals. He claimed the Player of the Month award in February 2024, and play a decisive role in Kitara’s Uganda Cup triumph last year. He now wants to turn the form into Rwanda Premier League and Peace Cup, with Heroes Cup already in the bag. FIFA Puskas Award nomination The striker also gained international acclaim in 2024 when his remarkable wonderful goal against KCCA in the FUFA Super 8 earned him nominations for the FIFA Puskás Award and the CAF Goal of the Year. “It is motivation for the player to look beyond that goal and try to work hard for the better future” he said.
