Police’s stunning ascent to the summit has cracked the StarTimes Uganda Premier League title race wide open.
The 2005 champions, revitalised under Matia Lule, sit on 14 points from seven matches – an outcome few predicted in August – and are threatening to tear the pre-season script apart.
Yet KCCA, also on 14 points from the same number of games, and rejuvenated SC Villa on 13 points from six, promise not to let the Cops stroll away.
And although Bul, Kitara and Entebbe UPPC – locked on 10 points – currently block reigning champions Vipers from clearly seeing the leading trio, the Venoms’ nine points from an immaculate three-match start in seventh place suggests it is only a matter of when, not if, they join the chasing pack once their four games in hand are honoured.
Armed Cops
Police underlined their title credentials with a gritty 2-0 away victory over UPPC in Bugonga on Wednesday – a fourth win of the season delivered through efficiency and patience.
After long spells of UPPC possession, Lawrence Tezikya punished goalkeeper Rogers Omedwa’s hesitation in the 32nd minute before substitute Abudshakur Jjemba raced behind the defence to sweep in the second seven minutes from time.
It was the kind of cold-blooded performance that hinted strongly: Police are not gate-crashing this race; they are in it for real.
But Jackson Magera’s KCCA remain defiantly shoulder-to-shoulder. At Lugogo on Friday, the Kasasiro Boys showcased their own resilience with a 2-1 win over Alex Isabirye’s URA to go joint-top.
Ivan Ahimbisibwe was unstoppable, striking twice – in the 16th and 41st minutes – to snap URA’s six-match unbeaten run. Joseph Ssemujju’s 73rd-minute response gave the Tax Collectors hope, but not points.
URA’s slump to 11th on eight points has made Isabirye’s already fragile job security even more delicate.
Beware of Jogoos
For starters, anyone still doubting Zeljko Kovacevic’s SC Villa may need to reconsider. The record 17-time champions dispatched Nec 2-1 on Thursday, a fourth straight victory built on intensity, organisation and improved cutting edge.
Najib Yiga finished off a flowing second-half move created by Hassan Mubiru and Frank Sebuufu before substitute Elvis Ngonde tapped into an empty net after another rapid break.
Though Daniel Shaben pulled one back for Badru Kaddu’s struggling Nec, they remain stuck in 12th with six points from six matches – overwhelmed by Villa’s superior tempo and execution.
Kitara redemption
Wasswa Bbosa’s Kitara are rising just as impressively. Their 1-0 triumph over bitter rivals Bul at Butema – courtesy of Jimmy Kalema’s precise 11th-minute strike – ended the visitors’ remarkable 25-match unbeaten run.
The victory lifted Kitara to fourth on 10 points and reinforced the view that they possess both the courage and the tactical discipline to survive difficult battles as the season stiffens.
Meanwhile, champions Vipers reminded the division that they remain predators. Their 2-1 home win over Maroons on Saturday – secured through a Yunus Sentamu strike that deflected off Derrick Basoga and an early second from Usama Arafat – was a third straight triumph.
Though Raymond Walugembe pulled one back, Vipers held firm, signalling that the title defence is very much alive.
As match-day eight approaches, the table is tightening, the front-runners are snarling, and the contenders are multiplying.
The UPL is shaping into a thrilling, unpredictable four-horse sprint – with powerful shadows like Vipers lurking just behind.
Uganda Premier League
Results
Vipers 2-1 Maroons
SC Villa 2 – 1 Nec
Lugazi- 0 Express
Kitara 1 – 0 Bul
UPPC 0-2 Police
Calvary 0-1 UPDF
Buhimba 1-2 Mbarara
KCCA 2-1 URA