Kitara suffered yet another setback in the title chase after losing 1-0 to Bright Stars in the Uganda Premier League encounter at Kavumba Recreation Ground on Tuesday.

Shafick Kakande scored the all-important lonely strike as Bright Stars once again spoilt the party for Kitara and their travelling fans.

Kitara came into the game lying third on the log but the loss sends them to the fifth position with one game left to conclude the ongoing campaign.

After the final whistle, Kitara head coach Brian Ssenyondo said even after the lost they are still within the season target of finishing in the top five.

“The good thing is, we still want to remain in our season target of finishing in the top five,” the gaffer stated.

“We did not play to our expectations and Bright Stars were the better side all throughout the game. We failed to handle the game and well I do not know why. We are going back to prepare for our final game,” he added.

On the other hand, Bright Stars gaffer Joseph Mutyaba was happy with how his charges played showing the much-needed character.

“We played very well and the players were up to the task. We knew Kitara would put pressure but we tried to stop them and it worked,” he said.

“In the final minutes of the game, we did not want to give them a chance since we knew they would hurt us and I am happy we won the game.”

Next on the menu, Kitara will face Gaddafi while Bright Stars will be away to URA on the final day of the campaign.

SC Villa captain Kenneth Semakula scored the winning goal as Jogoo secured a 2-1 victory against URA in the Uganda Premier League encounter at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

The league record champions SC Villa need a win against NEC on the last day of the season to be declared champions of the 2023-24 campaign.

Semakula has asked everyone attached to the club to turn up on the final day as they throw everything on the line to fight for maximum points on the day.

“I call upon the players and fans to turn up in our last match of the season as we fight for glory” he noted.

“We shall go to that game with a different game plan. Since it’s the last game of the season, we believe to offer the best to see that we lift the league trophy,” he added.

URA got the lead through Bruno Bunyaga in the 80th minute before Umar Lutalo levelled matters two minutes later.

Semakula scored a stunner in the 87th minute to turn Wankulukuku into a party scene and the Jogoo celebrated the sweet victory.

The skipper dedicated the victory to the teammates and the fans noting it was a collective effort to achieve the bragging rights on the day.

“I thank the technical team and my fellow players for the victory against URA. We had a game plan but also knew how much we needed the game. It’s one game to go for us to achieve our dream.”

SC Villa will face NEC at MTN Omondi Stadium on Saturday, May 18.

Uganda Premier League | Results 

• KCCA 4-0 Wakiso Giants

KCCA registered a well-deserved 4-0 victory against Wakiso Giants in the Uganda Premier League encounter at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Tuesday.

Muhammad Shaban, Filbert Obenchan, Haruna Lukwago and Joao Gabriel were on target as the Kasasiro Boys staged an emphatic victory in their last home game this season.

Shaban nearly gave the hosts a lead but his effort was cleared off the line.

Shaban finally broke the deadlock in the 20th minute after guiding home Ashraf Mugume’s delivery in the box.

Six minutes later, Obenchan doubled the hosts’ lead with a powerful header from close range as Wakiso Giants’ backline looked stranded.

Lukwago netted the third on the day after guiding a thrilling effort at the near post into the net.

In the second stanza, Wakiso Giants tried to improve but were not lethal enough to convert their chances.

Gabriel put the icing on the cake with yet another beautiful finish after being set by Lukwago from the right wing.

The victory takes KCCA to the fifth position with 48 points while Wakiso Giants lie 12th on the log with 32 points.

Uganda Premier League | Result

• SC Villa 2-1 URA

SC Villa secured a 2-1 victory against URA in the Uganda Premier League encounter at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Tuesday evening.

Kenneth Semakula and Umar Lutalo scored for SC Villa as the league record champions bounced from a goal to clinch victory.

Bruno Bunyaga scored URA’s lonely goal but it was not enough on the day.

Patrick Kakande made good runs on the left flank before dashing in but failed to get his efforts on target.

The hosts’ best chance fell to Ronald Ssekiganda’s head but the effort off Gavin Kizito went wide of the frame.

Charles Lwanga remained with a goalkeeper to beat but instead ballooned the ball from close range.

It was goalless at the interval as the two sides sent the fight to the second stanza of the game.

Youngster Bunyaga gave the visitors a lead in the 80th minute with a powerful header from close range.

Two minutes later, Umar Lutalo restored parity with a powerful shot through a forest of bodies into the back of the net.

With two minutes left on the clock, Semakula’s effort from distance reclaimed Villa’s lead as Wankulukuku turned into a party mood.

The victory takes Villa on top of the log with 54 points while URA lies eighth with 39 points after 28 games.

Uganda Premier League | Matchday 29 Fixtures

• Mbarara City vs BUL
• Bright Stars vs Kitara
• SC Villa vs URA
• KCCA FC vs Wakiso Gaint
• UPDF vs Maroons
• Busoga United vs Vipers

Is it possible for BUL to win the Uganda Premier League on Tuesday, May 14, 2024?

Yes, it is possible if only BUL win its game against Mbarara City and the three competitors in Kitara, SC Villa and Vipers don’t win.

On the same day, BUL visits Mbarara City, Kitara are set to lock horns with Bright Stars while Vipers are set to take on Busoga United.

For starters, Kakyeka Stadium has hardly been a good hunting ground for BUL and it will be very hard for them to pick up maximum points since only NEC has secured a victory from the unplayable ground.

In the last five outings, BUL has made three draws and suffered two losses from Kakyeka Stadium the home of the Ankole Lions.

At Kavumba Recreational Grounds, Kitara will lock horns with Bright Stars in yet another highly anticipated game.

Kitara will have to improve their backline and avoid the shock they received from Busoga United who led them 2-0 in 16 minutes.

Bright Stars have proven to be giant killers and that was truly witnessed in the fight staged as they held KCCA in a 2-2 draw before losing 1-0 to UPDF in the next game.

In the last three games between the two sides, Kitara has won once while Bright Stars have secured two wins and both have been at home.

At Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku SC Villa meets URA in yet another thrilling game that has been tagged with a highlight of revenge since the Tax Collectors denied the record champions a chance to end their trophy drought last season.

Dusan Stojanovic’s charges’ have no room for error since each point lost literally puts the team at out that title run.

At FUFA Technical Centre, Busoga United hosts Vipers as two teams differ in their dreams and anticipation in the ongoing season.

While Vipers seek to keep their title defense alive, Busoga United are fighting for life in the top tier though the come goal is the arge to collect maximum points on the day.

Elsewhere, relegated UPDF host Maroons while KCCA will take on Wakiso Giants in an encounter that will give the football fraternity a good meal of football.

• Uganda Premier League | Result
• Express 1-2 NEC

NEC Football Club secured a 2-1 victory against Express Football cLUB in the Uganda Premier League at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

Enoch Ssebagala and Andrew Kaggwa (own goal) were on target to give NEC maximum points on the day.

On-form forward Isaac Wagoina pulled back one for the hosts.

Ssebagala gave the visitors the much-needed early lead in the sixth minute.

Wagoina levelled matters from the 12-yard mark after Marvin Oshaba was tripped in the dangerous area.

The forward took up the challenge and converted from the spot to send his season goal tally to 14 goals.

Ten minutes into the second stanza, the visitors regained their lead after Cromwell Rwothomio’s powerful effort deflected into the back of the net.

Express suffered their 14th defeat of the season and it will be a campaign to forget for the Red Eagles.

The victory takes NEC to fifth position with 48 points while Express lies ninth with 32 points in 28 games.

Mandela National Stadium, Namboole has been given the green light to host International games again.

The development was confirmed by FUFA today Monday, May 13, 2024, via its official social media handles.

It’s good news at the perfect time since Uganda Cranes are preparing for a doubleheader against Botswana and Algeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Ugandans will have a chance to back the lads in the newly refurbished Mandela Namboole Stadium.

“CAF has granted FUFA permission to host International Matches at Mandela National Stadium (Namboole),” the statement partly reads.

“This, therefore, implies that Uganda Cranes will host the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier matches against Botswana and Algeria in June.”

Uganda Cranes return to their favourite ground after four years of hosting from external grounds.

The last time Uganda Cranes played at Namboole, they picked a 2-0 win against Malawi thanks to Fahad Bayo and Emmanuel Okwi.

Next on the menu, Uganda Cranes will play Botswana on Monday, June 3 and Algeria on Sunday, June 9 respectively.

FUFA Big League | Results

• Kigezi Homeboyz 0-2 Lugazi
• Kiyinda1-0 Police
• Onduparaka 1-0 Booma
• Kyetume 0-0 Calvary
• Young Elephant 2-1 Kaaro Karungi
• Blacks Power 0-2 Mbale Heroes

Lugazi secured a 2-0 victory against Kigezi Homeboyz in the FUFA Big League at Kabale Municipal Stadium on Sunday.

Sam Ssemugugu and Ronald Ssempala were on the target securing maximum points for the visiting side.

The game started on a slow note as the visitors tried to settle into the game against a resilient Kigezi Homeboyz side.

Ssemugugu broke the deadlock in the 30th minute to give the visitors the well-deserved lead in the game.

Before the end of the first stanza, Ssempala doubled the visitors’ lead as the hosts’ backline struggled to tame Lugazi’s quick frontline.

In the second half, Kigezi Homeboyz were the better side as they threw all bodies upfront searching for at least a goal but Lugazi’s backline stood tall.

Kigezi Homeboyz suffered the first loss in their backyard since Kabale Municipal Stadium has been a tough ground to visit.

The victory creates confidence and hopes that Lugazi is edging closer to attaining the ticket to the Uganda Premier League.

Lugazi lies second on the log with 44 points in 24 games while Kigezi Homeboyz is in the ninth position with 33 points.

Next on the menu, Lugazi will face Young Elephants on Sunday, May 19 while Kigezi Homeboyz will be on the road to take on Police on Sunday, May 26

Teen Cranes fell short against Zambia in the first leg of the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

The Ugandan youngsters suffered a 2-0 Zambian counterparts at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Goals from Namute Chelishe and Ruth Mukoma in either half condemned the Teen Cranes to the defeat that they will be looking to overturn in the return leg at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende on Friday, 17.

Teen Cranes started on a slow pace and were quickly pegged back early in the game as they conceded in the second minute before settling into the contest.

They however settled into the game after about 15 minutes and created some scoring opportunities that were not taken before Zambia got their second with about 20 minutes to play.

Uganda’s Starting XI: Nakiirya Lillian (GK), Natooro Desire Katisi (C), Namirimu Faridah, Kaluya Bethany, Kainza Joyce, Nalunkuuma Bushirah, Nangendo Esther, Aujat Dorine, Nabukenya Agnes, Nabirye Shadia, and Kabene Sylvia

Subs: Adeke Angella (GK), Nambuusi Ritah, Katusiime Charity, Namataka Mariam, Tamisi Shafiga, Namazzi Vanessa

FIFA U17 Women’s Cup Qualifiers | Fixtures

• Sunday, May 12, 2024
• Zambia vs Uganda

Uganda Women’s U17 head coach Sheryl Botes named a squad of 18 players ahead of the epic clash against Zambia in the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s Cup Qualifiers.

The two sides will match up at Nkoloma Stadium on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at 4:00 PM.

The squad is made up of two goalkeepers, five defenders, nine midfielders and two forwards.

Botes is confident that the team has had good preparations and she also commended the girls’ commitment to getting better.

“We’ve had a good run in our preparations and I am pleased with the commitment and progress shown by the players,” she stated.

“The friendly matches have been beneficial in evaluating our strengths and areas for improvement,” she added.

The team travelled out of the country today (Friday) morning heading to Lusaka ahead of the highly anticipated game.

Botes together with the girls will embark on a journey to chase a ticket to the U17 Women’s World Cup.

The travelling squad

Goalkeepers

1. Nakiirya Lillian (St Noah Ss Wfc)
2. Adeke Angella (Royal Queens Fc)

Defenders

3. Namirimu Faridah (Wakiso Hill Wfc)
4. Natooro Desire Katisi (Asubo Ladies Fc)
5. Kaluya Bethany Lois Mirembe. N. (Brighton And Hove Albion Ladies Fc)
6. Nambuusi Ritah Anitah (Divine Soccer Academy)
7. Katusiime Charity (Tagy High School Wfc)

Midfielders

8. Aujat Dorine (Byafaayo Queens Fc)
9. Namataka Mariam (Byafaayo Queens Fc)
10. Babirye Fahima (Kawempe Muslim Ladies Fc)
11. Nangendo Esther (Kawempe Muslim Ladies Fc)
12. Tamisi Shafiga (Byafaayo Queens Fc)
13. Kainza Joyce (Byafaayo Queens Fc)
14. Nalunkuuma Bushirah Muhammad (Rines Ss Wfc)
15. Nabirye Shadia (Kawempe Muslim Ladies Fc)
16. Namazzi Vanessa (Kawempe Muslim Ladies Fc)

Forwards

17. Nabukenya Agnes (Kawempe Muslim Ladies Fc)
18. Kabene Sylivia (St Noah Ss Wfc)