After a wait of 20 years, SC Villa finally won the Uganda Premier League lifting the record 17th title.

Kenneth Semakula emotionally revealed that it’s a special feeling winning a title for SC Villa because it’s the ‘biggest’ team in the land.

“Winning for a club as rich as SC Villa is very special. Every player out there would love to be part of such great history,” he stated.

“I am so happy that as a team we fought and our hard work paid off [with] positive fruits. It’s such a beautiful feeling and it will last forever because it’s my best moment,” he added.

Semakula was on target with a blockbuster netting the winning goal against URA in the 2-1 victory sending the Villa into the last league game on the log summit.

The skipper revealed that the players’ confidence has been boosted by the trust entrusted to them by the Serbian gaffer Dusan Stojanovic.

“The coach has been great for us as players. He trusted us and I am glad it has paid off. The last season was tough for us, but we needed to focus on this one. However we planned for every game and I think that is why we emerged as victors,” he said.

“When you join Villa, you must grasp the club’s significance and its history. Most importantly, you feel the pressure from the fans; they drive you and you sense their passion in each and every game.”

Uganda Premier League side URA Football Club has appointed Alex Isabirye as their head coach.

Isabirye comes in as a suitable replacement for David Obua who was relieved from duty in the recent campaign.

The development was confirmed on the club website today Monday, May 20, 2024.

“We are delighted to officially announce the appointment of Alex Isabirye Musongola as our new head coach,” the statement partly reads.

In the same breath, the club CEO Allan Munaba revealed that everyone at URA is optimistic that Isabirye will take them back to their glory days.

“We are optimistic that Isabirye’s return will revive our glory days, with his vast experience and previous success as the key assets,” he said.

“His immediate challenge will be preparing the squad for the grand opening of the newly refurbished Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium where we last won our league title as home ground,” he added.

It will be the second time Isabirye serves the club. The gaffer managed the club in the 2010/11 season before clinching the Uganda Cup in 2012.

URA finished eighth in the 2023/23 Uganda Premier League season with 40 points in 29 games.

FUFA Big League | Sunday, May 19

• Police 2-1 Onduparaka
• Lugazi 4-1 Young Elephants
• Kaaro Karungi 5-1 Jinja North
• Mbale Heroes 1-0 Kyetume
• Calvary 0-0 Kiyinda Boys
• Booma 1-0 Kataka

Police Football Club has secured their ticket back to the Uganda Premier League.

The development was confirmed after a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Onduparaka at Kavumba Recreation Ground on Sunday.

Denis Kalanzi and Steven Kabuye were on target as Police sealed maximum points on the day.

Jaffar Kerepi scored in the third minute to give the visitors an early lead as Police were placed in the chasing park.

Towering forward Kalanzi restored parity in the 43rd minute through a spectacular half-volley to extend the fight to the second stanza.

Kabuye headed the Cops ahead two minutes into the second half after guiding home Kalanzi’s delivery from the far post.

After that moment, the visitors took charge of the game seeking an equaliser to return to the game but also keep their promotion chances alive.

But the Police’s backline stood firm and tall as they held on sticking in the driving seat with a much-needed victory.

Police will now look at winning against Kigezi Homeboyz and Kataka to lift the FUFA Big League title.

Uganda Premier League | Results

• NEC 0-2 SC Villa
• Busoga United 0-3 BUL
• URA 1-1 Bright Stars
• Maroons 1-1 KCCA
• Kitara 3-0 Gaddafi
• Wakiso Giants 0-1 UPDF 
• Vipers 4-1 Mbarara City

SC Villa has lifted the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League title after a 2-0 victory against NEC at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

Charles Lwanga and Hakim Kiwanuka were on the target as SC Villa ended the 20-year-long wait to once again test the joy of being a champion.

 It was a tense game as both sides shared the possession equally seeking an early lead though the first half ended goalless.

However, SC Villa kept composed and hardly got a foot off the glass pedal as they pegged NEC on the back foot.

Lwanga broke the deadlock in the 66th minute with a header off Umar Lutalo’s darling delivery in the dangerous area.

Lwanga’s header sparked off celebration from the visitors who had turned up in high numbers to witness the memorable occasion.

In the dying minutes, Kiwanuka sealed the victory with a calm finish after being set up by Jonah Patrick Kakande.

The victory takes Villa to 57 points to clinch the title while NEC finished sixth with 48 points in 29 games.

Villa were the deserving champions of the league under the guidance of Serbian gaffer Dusan Stojanovic

Uganda Premier League | Fixtures | Kick-off: 3:00pm

• NEC vs SC Villa 
• Kitara vs Gaddafi
• BUL vs Busoga United
• Vipers vs Mbarara City
• URA vs Bright Stars
• Wakiso Giants vs UPDF 

SC Villa will be on the road to visit NEC in the Uganda Premier League at MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo on Saturday.

The 16-time record league champions will need a victory against NEC to ensure that they are declared the 2023/24 winners.

Dusan Stojanovic’s charges find themselves in the same place just like last year where they failed the test after falling to URA in a painful 1-0 loss.

Ahead of the highly anticipated match, Jeans Braddy Wokorach called upon the fans to help ignite players as they fight for glory.

“We very well know the importance of today’s game,” the custodian was quoted by the club’s website.

“We are aware of the opponents’ abilities but the game today will be about us. We have to win by all ways,” he added.

“The fans have been an integral part of this journey and I call upon them to turn up in high numbers.”

Elsewhere, BUL will be taking on Busoga in a Jinja Derby at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru. A loss for Busoga United could see them get relegated to the FUFA Big League.

The defending Champions Vipers SC will be locking horns with Mbarara City at St Mary’s Stadium while Kitara will host Gaddafi at Masindi Municipal Stadium.

• FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers
• Uganda 1-0 Zambia
• Agg: 1-2

Uganda’s journey in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers came to an end despite the 1-0 victory against Zambia at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Friday.

The Teen Cranes came into the game after losing 2-0 to Lusaka National Heroes Stadium in the first leg of the duel.

The hosts dictated the game all throughout but were not lethal enough in the final third of the game hence blowing away their chance of advancing into the next round of the qualifiers.

Zambia goalkeeper Chishala Mwila made a stunning save palming away Agnes Nabukenya’s powerful effort in the 37th minute.

Five minutes later, Sylvia Kabene wasted a glorious chance as her first touch off Esther Nangendo took the ball out of her reach steps away from the goal.

Six minutes into the second half, Nabukenya failed to guide the ball past Zambia’s custodian Mwila. Nangendo set up the forward but her resultant effort was blocked.

Kabene finally broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute with a volleyed effort from close range. The forward’s attempt was blocked twice before she scored on the third attempt.

Kabene failed to double the hosts’ lead as Mwila rushed off her line to intercept the attempt.

After the final whistle, Uganda had won the battle but lost the war as Zambia qualified for the next round of the qualifiers.

How they line up

Uganda XI: Lillian Nakirya (GK), Faridah Namirimu, Joyce Kayiza, Desire Natoro, Ritah Nambusi, Charity Katusime, Dorine Aujat, Esther Nangendo, Sylvia Kabene, Shadia Nabirye, Agnes Nabukenya

Zambia XI: Chishala Mwila (GK), Saliya Mwanza, Nana Malanda, Margret Gondwe, Natasha Nkaka, Blessing Maluba, Mary Mukupa, Blessing Zulu, Ruth Mukoma, Ruth Muwowo, Bwalya Namute

CECAFA Region champions St Mary’s Kitende (Boys) and Kawempe Muslim (Girls) have been flagged off today, Friday, May 15 in a ceremony held at Copper Chimney in Lugogo.

The flag-off ceremony was conducted by the Commissioner of Physical Education, Rev. Canon Duncan Mugumya in the presence of NCS Deputy General Secretary David Katende.

Mugumya urged the athletes to maintain discipline and hold the country’s flag with due diligence.

“Go and do your best. I urge you to keep disciplined because whatever you do in Zanzibar will be credited to Uganda, not your schools,” he stated.

In the same breath, Katende emphasised the country’s expectations telling the athletes that they should go to Zanzibar to compete and not just participate.

“Uganda is no longer a participant in international championships but rather a competitor. We only expect that you are going to give us good results because we know how talented you are,” he said.

Kawempe Muslim SS captain Tracy Nabalanzi stated that they are going to Zanzibar without pressure but hope to be champions.

“We have got enough from our coaches; we are going to Zanzibar with no pressure. But since we are champions of CECAFA region we hope to be champions of the continent equally,” she said.

The winner of the Pan African Championship will pocket 300000 USD, silver (200000 USD) and bronze (150000 USD).

The first batch of the contingent is leaving on Sunday before others follow on Monday.

• FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers | Fixture
• Uganda vs Zambia – 4pm

Uganda (Teen Cranes) will take on Zambia today in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

The Teen Cranes will be looking to overturn the 2-0 deficit to Zambia at Lusaka’s National Heroes Stadium in the first leg of the encounter as they push to progress to the next round.

Head coach Sheryl Botes revealed that it’s not yet over and her changes are ready to put up a great fight to overturn the first leg result.

“As we go into this game, we are fully prepared. We have worked on the mistakes that we encountered during the first leg and believe the team can overturn this score,” she noted.

“The mood is high, we are ready for tomorrow’s game. With the coaching strategy, we are good to go. The whole team is in good shape and we hope to get better results against Zambia,” she added.

“The girls have been given confidence that they can turn it around. They know and believe it. As the technical team, we have done everything in our power so we await to name a good team that can score more goals today.”

It will be a challenging game but the Teen Cranes have all it takes to win the game and progress to the next level as they seek a spot on the global stage.

The game is free to all fans who have been called upon to rally behind the girls who will be battling Zambia at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium is set for a mega opening on June 1, 2024.

In the opening ceremony, the day will witness two football matches, a kickboxing game and a boxing encounter.

Kitara will take on URA in the first game at 4:00 PM before SC Villa lock horns with Express in the Kampala Derby later at 7:00 PM under the floodlights.

The Kickboxing bout will see crowd favourite Moses Golola and Umar Semata face off in a highly anticipated duel.

In the boxing bout, Isaac Zebra Ssenyange Jr and Ibrahim Kitaka will contest in a professional fight as the fans enjoy the newly refurbished Stadium.

The stadium has truly reached a stage for use after a long wait. The renovation started in 2017 but after the massive facelift, the grounds are ready for use.

The facility has been modernised with artificial turf, VIP boxes, VVIP and executive boxes, restaurants and a cafeteria.

The 20,000 seater is earmarked for accommodating several games in the coming season and clubs have started talking to the facility management to confirm the requirements.

Nakivubo Stadium was commissioned by President Museveni last month a sounding highlight that the facility is ready for use.

Uganda Premier League | Result

• Gaddafi 3-2 Express

Gaddafi secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Express in the Uganda Premier League encounter at Gaddafi Arena on Wednesday evening.

Frank Mulimi and David Bagoole (brace) scored for Gaddafi as they registered a sweet victory while Marvin Oshaba netted twice for Express as they fell fighting.

Mulimi gave the hosts an early lead in the second minute after converting from the 12-yard mark.

Quick-footed forward Oshaba scored twice as Express went into the break ahead with a slim 2-1 lead.

Bagoole restored parity for the hosts in the 78th minute before he scored the winning goal in the last minute of the game.

The victory takes Gaddafi to the 14th position on the log with 25 points while Express lie 10th with 32 points.

For now, the relegation battle just got more interesting since three teams (Busoga United, Gaddafi and UPDF) have a chance to remain in the top tier or stick in the red zone.

The last match of the 2023/24 campaign will not only have the teams at the top on pressure but also those on the bottom of the log.