Uganda Premier League runners-up NEC FC has moved swiftly to secure the future of one of its brightest stars, with South Sudanese right-back Joseph Dhata signing a fresh three-year contract that keeps him at the club until June 30, 2028, according to official club confirmation on their website.
The 22-year-old defender, known for his pace and attacking flair, has committed to being a central figure in the team’s exciting journey ahead.
Dhata’s career has been on a steady rise, and NEC fans will fondly remember his incredible run in the 2024 Stanbic Uganda Cup final, where he scooped the Golden Boot after netting six goals, despite being a right-back. That history-making performance underlined his ability to shine on the big stage, making him one of the most feared attacking full-backs in Ugandan football.
Our dynamic South Sudanese right-back, has signed a new three-year contract, extending his stay with the club until June 30, 2027.#DhataIsBack #Diehard
— NEC FC (@Nec_Fc) August 16, 2025
The defender briefly left NEC for a six-month stint with Blacks Power in the FUFA Big League in January, a move that was massively hampered by multiple injury setbacks.
The timing of his extension is crucial as NEC gears up for a jam-packed 2025/26 campaign. The club is set to battle in the FUFA Super, the Super Cup, the Stanbic Uganda Cup, and the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, tournaments where Dhata’s energy and consistency will be key to NEC’s ambitions.
Perhaps the biggest stage awaits later this year when NEC makes its historic CAF Confederation Cup debut against Nairobi United between September 19–21 and 26–28.
