UPPC delivered a statement result by condemning reigning champions Vipers to a 1-0 defeat in the opening game of the 2026/27 Startimes Uganda Premier League at the St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Friday evening.
Congolese defender Bady Da Silva put through his own net from Thomas Ochungo’s cross following miscommunication between him and goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba on 32 minutes despite no pressure from any UPPC player.
This was the first league game for Vipers new French coach Denis Lavagne who will be under early pressure with the club’s next match being the Caf Champions League preliminary round clash against Mauritanian side Nouadhibou.
It was also the first on-the-pitch loss for Vipers who went last season unbeaten save for the boardroom decision against Kitara that went against them.
They were second best against a UPPC side that should have been out of sight by the time Vipers put them under pressure in the second half.
A flowing move on 21 minutes should have ended in at least Ibrahim Orit forcing goalkeeper Mbaba into a save but a slight hesitation helped Vipers recover.
Mbaba then made two unorthodox saves with his feet keeping out a Reich Kokolo strike and also pushing wide an Ochungo cross 10 minutes into the second half.
Orit had missed the target with a header at the start of the second half from a Gideon Odongo cross as the UPPC attack led by Ibrahim Orit and Sharif Ssengendo and Steven Munguchi flourished.
Vipers and Lavagne now have a week to regroup before their Caf engagement that will now be under increased scrutiny.