Ugandan international Abdu Lumala has prematurely ended his stint with Indian club Gokulam Kerala FC and returned to Uganda, The Nerve Africa has exclusively learned.
Lumala’s exit comes just six months after signing a two-year contract extension with the Indian Super League outfit. He originally joined Gokulam Kerala in August 2024, and after only two months, extended his deal as the club looked to build a dominant side around his experience and attacking prowess.
However, a source close to the player has revealed that the winger decided to part ways with the club after they allegedly failed to fulfill key financial obligations agreed upon in the contract extension.
“He is back in the country after Gokulam Kerala failed to pay him the monies agreed upon when he extended his contract. He felt disrespected and betrayed,” the source told The Nerve Africa. “He is now training with URA FC to maintain fitness while evaluating his options. At the moment, we’re uncertain where he’ll play next season.”
The 27-year-old made 16 appearances across all competitions for Gokulam Kerala, scoring seven goals and providing four assists before the fallout.
Prior to his time in India, Lumala had a brief spell with Croatian club Slaven Belupo Koprivnica, where he made four appearances. He had joined them from Uganda Premier League giants Vipers SC, helping them win both the league title and the Uganda Cup during the 2022/23 season.
A pacey and experienced winger, Lumala has played for multiple clubs in Sweden, including Mjällby AIF, Kalmar FF, Varbergs BoIS, Helsingborgs IF, IFK Värnamo, and Syrianska FC. He also had a short stint with Egyptian Premier League side Pyramids FC.
On the international stage, Lumala made his debut for the Uganda Cranes at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Since then, he has earned 15 caps, scoring twice and assisting four times.
As speculation around his next move builds, Lumala will be hoping to secure a new club soon and get back to regular football ahead of the 2025/26 season.
