Former KCCA had coach Abdallah Mubiru sparked outrage among the Kitara faithful when he described their team as small in a build-up to a league game two seasons ago.
The Hoima-based club showed on Saturday they are fast shedding that tag by claiming a second Stanbic Uganda Cup title with a gutsy 2-1 win over nine-time winners SC Villa at the Fufa Technical Center in Njeru.
After Patrick Kaddu and Misi Ssemugera traded own goals in a space of a minute early in the game, Kitara forward Jimmy Kalema gave his side the lead with a firm drive at the start of the second half before hanging onto victory for a second title after the 2024 triumph.
It included surviving two penalty shouts with the stronger claim happening when Villa substitute Isaac Mpagi appeared to be brought down by Kitara goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige in the second half.
The decision enraged a group of Villa fans who formed the majority of the lively crowd at the Fufa Technical Center despite a late change in venue from the Kadiba Stadium.
The Villa fans continued making their displeasure known by directing insults at Fufa president Moses Magogo before hurling a couple of water bottles and stones in his direction.
Some were also initially irked by a faulty online ticketing system that led to a clash with stewards at the entrance.
On the pitch however their side failed to generate any real pressure apart from the penalty shouts with the experienced duo of Murushid Jjuuko and Isa Lumu dominant against Frank Ssebuufu.
Villa’s Patrick Kakande was also given close attention before he went off limping while Hassan Mubiru and Najib Yiga were also largely ineffective before being withdrawn.
That helped Kitara close out another victory against another established side having eliminated holders Vipers in the semifinal on away goals rule after forcing a 1-all draw in the second leg played in Kitende.
With Kirara club president Deo Kasozi’s bottomless pockets still funding the club, they look set to continue requesting tournament sponsors Plascon to continue painting the trophy in their preffered red colours.
Stanbic Uganda Cup
Result
Kitara 2-1 SC Villa
Former winners
2015 Villa 3-0 KCCA
2016 Vipers 3-1 Ondurapaka
2017 KCCA 2-0 Paidha Black Angels
2018 KCCA 1-0 Vipers
2019 Proline 1-1 Bright Stars [5-4 pen (no extra time)]
2020 abandoned
2021 Vipers 8-1 BUL
2022 BUL 3-1 Vipers
2023 Vipers 1-0 Police
2024 Kitara 1-0 NEC
2025 Vipers 2-0 KCCA
2026 Kitara 2-1 Villa