Uganda Premier League side Express FC has named Baker Mbowa their head coach on a two-year employment contract.

The club confirmed the development through an official statement released on Monday, March 03.

“The club wishes to announce Abubaker Mbowa as the new head coach and Sulaiman Mutyaba as his assistant on a two-year employment contract with immediate effect,” the statement partly reads.

Mbowa replaces Gaffer Alex Isabirye who decided to part with the club noting he was facing the huge challenge of a poor working environment.

This followed the reports indicating that several players had not turned up for training crying foul of the months they have had without pay.

That and more have been a great catalyst for the poor performance of the Red Eagles seeing them go six games without a single victory.

This includes the loss to Express as they got eliminated from the Uganda Cup in the Round of 16 after a penalty shootout.

Express lies eighth on the log with 32 points collected in 19 games played thus far.

The Red Eagles’ next assignment will be the game against SC Villa in the Kampala Derby at Muteesa II Stadium, Kitende.

Uganda Cup | Results

• URA 0-1 KCCA
• Bright Stars 0-4 Police

Mustafa Kizza scored the only goal as KCCA registered a 1-0 victory against URA in the Uganda Cup at Metha Stadium, Lugazi on Monday.

In the game that faced a number of playing challenges, the Kasasiro Boys fought pound for pound as they secured their ticket to the final eight.

In the 5th minute, Anthony Emojong made a full stretch save to palm away Moses Aliro’s ground cross as the hosts showed hunger for an early opener.

Nine minutes later, the centre referee asked both sides to walk off the field of play due to heavy rainfall that made sight of the ball so difficult.

KCCA suffered a blow as injured Emmanuel Wasswa was stretched off the field of play. Wasswa was later replaced by Peter Lwasa.

The first half ended 0-0 setting up an entertaining second period of the game.

Mustafa finally broke the deadlock with a powerful free kick from distance that stung James Alitho’s palms before sailing into the net with five minutes to play.

Alitho would have done better at that moment but he chose to get full hold of the ball than palming away the long range effort.

The Kasasiro Boys will now await of the draws to know whom they face in the quarterfinals of the knockout tournament.

Uganda Cup | Results

• Bright Stars 0-4 Police
• URA 0-1 KCCA

Police FC registered a well deserved 4-0 victory against Bright Stars in the Uganda Cup encounter played at Kavumba Recreational Grounds on Monday.

The FUFA Big League side did everything right to see that it puts an end to Bright Stars’ journey in the ongoing Uganda Cup.

Isaac Ogwang (brace), Herman Wasswa and Steven Kabuye were the chief tormentors as Police put up a great performance.

Ogwanga gave Police the lead in the 5th minute of the game to give the visitors a great start to the game.

Bright Stars kept fighting to return into the game but the first half ended with Police in the driver’s seat.

Ogwang yet again doubled Police’s lead in the 65th minute to seal off his brace on the day.

Police gaffer Simon Peter Mugerwa introduced Wasswa to replace Ogwang in the 83rd minute.

Four minutes later, Wasswa found the back of the net extending Police’s lead in the game they handled with great care from word go.

Kabuye sealed the Cops’ sweet victory with a penalty to send them into the last eight of the ongoing knockout tournament.

• Uganda Cup | Result 
• Kitara 2-0 SC Villa

Kitara put an end to SC Villa’s journey in the Uganda Cup at the Round of 16 after a 2-0 victory at Masindi Stadium on Sunday.

Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye and Paul Mucureezi were on target as the Royals eliminated the Joogo to seal a spot in the quarterfinals of the knockout tournament.

Najib Yiga and Denis Omedi came close on several occasions but missed the target by just a whisker.

In the 25th minute, Charles Lwanga’s header was cleared off the line as the visitors kept knocking on the door.

However, the first 45 minutes came to an end as the scoreboard read 0-0.

In the 80th minute, Omedi was replaced by Tumwesigye who gave the home side a lead with a tap-in from a corner kick.

With three minutes to play, Mucureezi put the icing on the cake with the second goal as the Royals went into a party mood.

To reach this stage, Kitara eliminated UPL side Gaddafi at the Round of 32 and will seek to spread its wings going forward in the tournament.

Uganda Cup | Results

• BUL 1(4)-(1)1 Express
• Kitara 2-0 SC Villa

BUL held their breath to eliminate Express in penalties 4-1 in the Uganda Cup at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Sunday evening.

It was a turn of events when Express equalised in the final minute of the game but could not carry the advantage to the 12-yard mark.

The match ended 1-1 in normal time before, BUL went on to bag bragging rights to seal a spot in the quarterfinals of the ongoing tournament.

The first half was such a busy period but neither side was lethal enough to guide the ball into the back of the net.

With four minutes left on the clock, Ibrahim Mugulusi’s volley capitalizing on Nicholas Mwere’s delivery placed the oil manufacturers in the driving seat.

In a space of two minutes, Edgar Katumba nodded home a powerful header off John Assiimwe’s corner kick.

At that juncture, BUL introduced Joel Mutabwa came onto the field of play before turning out to be the hero of the day.

For BUL, Lawrence Tezikya, Benon Tahomera, Ibrahim Kazindula and Mutakubwa converted from the spot.

While only Assimwe scored for the visitors as Marvin Oshaba and Isa Lumu failed to convert from the spot.

Uganda Hippos head coach Morley Byekwaso has named the travelling squad to the All African Games that will be held in Ghana.

The announcement of the squad was confirmed through the FUFA website before the club travelled on Monday morning.

Byekwaso will have to ensure that his current team repeats the glory attained in the previous U-20 AFCON which was hosted in Mauritania.

In that championship, Byekwaso together with his troops defied the odds and went all the way to the finals before they lost to Ghana.

Before the All-African Games, the Hippos lost to Ethiopia in the friendly game played in the Dire Cup.

In the squad that travelled to Ethiopia, three have been withdrawn from the final squad. The three players are Darius Ojok (Maroons), George Isiagi (Brook House College) and Saidi Mayanja (KCCA).

Uganda Hippos final squad

Goalkeepers

Abdul Magada (Gaddafi FC), Shamulan Kamya (Soltilo Bright Stars FC), Humphrey Oyirwoth (Bukedea Comprehensive School)

Defenders
Haruna Lukwago (KCCA FC), Ibrahim Juma (CD Leganes), Enock Luyima (Vipers SC), Ronald Madoi (SFK Pierikos), Apollo Kagogwe (Wakiso Giants FC), Cyrus Kibande(SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC)

Midfielders
Innocent Kisolo (URA FC), Ivan Irinimbabazi (SFK Pierikos), Allan Oyirwoth (Brook House College), Hakim Mutebi (SC Villa)

Forwards
Abbas Kyeyune (SC Villa), Arafat Kizza Usama (KCCA FC), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa), Shafiq Magogo (Kitara FC), Alpha Thierry Ssali (Express FC), Bruno Bunyaga (URA FC)

Uganda Premier League | Results 

• Vipers 1-0 Bright Stars
• URA 2-0 Maroons
• Busoga United 1-1 Gaddafi

Bright Stars held holders Vipers in a 1-1 stalemate in the Uganda Premier League encounter at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Thursday.

It was a disappointing show by the Venoms who once again dropped points blurring their ambitions of defending the UPL title.

It was the second successive stalemate after they were held by Gaddafi in a goalless draw in their last UPL game.

In the 28th minute, Nelson Senkatuka failed to beat Vipers custodian Jack Komakech after beating Vipers’ backline in their half.

Eric Kambale tapped the ball into the back of the net on a rebound at the half-hour mark after Watambala’s effort was earlier blocked by Hassan Matovu from close range.

Four minutes later, Milton Karisa made an excellent run before Karim Watambala set him up but his final effort was far from required after he failed to place the ball on target with only a goalkeeper to beat.

With six minutes to conclude the first stanza, Sentamu missed a glorious chance to double Vipers’ after being released by Watambala on the left flank.

Returning from the dressing rooms, Bright Stars looked so impressive and got out of their blocks in search of a leveller.

On top of the hour, Shafic Kakande was quick on the far post to tap home Omony Kaka’s darling cross. 

Vipers are now seven points (32) behind log leaders Kitara (39) who have played two games more while Bright Stars are 11th with 23 points after playing 19 games.

Uganda Premier League | Results

• URA 2-0 Maroons
• Busoga 1-1 Gaddafi

URA Football Club registered a 2-0 victory against Maroons Football Club in the Uganda Premier League at Metha Stadium, Lugazi on Thursday evening.

The Tax Collectors extended Maroons’ poor run. The Prison Wardens have not yet won a game in the second round, they have played four, lost twice and drawn twice.

Lanky defender Enock Walusimbi placed the hosts in the driving seat with a calm finish off Amisi Bagwani’s corner kick thus opening his account at the club in the 20th minute.

Fourteen minutes later, Laban Tibiita was denied by Hannigton Ssebwalunyo with a full-stretch save after being set up by Ronald Mawa Andabati.

In the 31st minute, Norman Namanya was at the end of such a well-built attack. The midfielder calmly guided home the ball inside the box after being set up by Joseph Ssemujju.

Namanya delivered a well-weighed cross into the area to meet Hudu Mulikyi who nearly extended the hosts’ lead in the 57th minute but his effort was blocked for a corner kick.

In the 77th minute, Norman Odipio received the second booking before he was sent off leaving Maroons with only 10 players on the field of play.

The victory takes URA to the seventh position on the log with 30 points while Maroons are sixth with the same points but with a better goal difference.

University Football League | Result

• UCU 1-0 Makerere (Agg: 2-2)

Uganda Christian University (UCU) secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Makerere University in the University Football League on Thursday.

Isaac Ofoyirwoth scored the all-important goal as the hosts gathered bragging rights on the day in front of a huge crowd in the stands. The first leg ended 2-1 in favour of the Makerere and the UCU’s away goal turned out to be the difference.

UCU Cardinals pulled off a stunning victory to revenge the Makerere Enzymes that beat them 2-0 in the just concluded AUUS Inter-University games that were held in Mukono.

The game was treated to an electric start as both sides drew bodies upfront in search of an early opener.

Ivan Oceng was tripped on the edge of the box before he decided to take the challenge but his effort could not get past the wall thus putting to waste a glorious chance.

Osuna Cosmas tested UCU custodian Collins Wesonga with a powerful curler but the goalkeeper was equal to the challenge in the 27th minute.

Three minutes later, Ofoyirwoth guided the ball into the back of the net after the assistant referee sighted an offside in the beautiful build-up.

At the start of the second stanza, UCU head coach Jimmy Kintu introduced forward Derrick Tenywa for midfielder Ivan Mutebi.

The long-awaited moment finally came to place in the 48th minute as Ofoyirwoth broke the deadlock. It was a gift from Makerere custodian Joel Wejuli who gave defender Maurice Wansagi a chilly pass in front of the 16-yard area. Geoffrey Gaganga was alert winning possession but his effort was blocked by Wejuli before Ofoyirwoth scored from a rebound.

From that juncture the game opened up as the hosts kept knocking on the visitors’ door however Makerere’s skipper Ian Mudhasi was so calm and composed at the back.

Gaganga set up the on-running Tenywa who swiftly tapped the ball past Wejuli however it was flagged offside and the home crowd demonstrated in denial of the call.

But at the end of the day, it was a victory for the home side who matched into the semifinals awaiting for the other three sides to complete the puzzle.

How they lined up

UCU Cardinals XI: Collins Wesonga (GK), Sharif Ssewanyana, Patrick Ogola, Marvin Wambuga, Godfrey Arijole, Allan Opio, Ivan Mutebi, Peter Kyomuhendo, Geofrey Gaganga, Isaac Ofoyirwoth, Harry Abit

Makerere Enzymes XI: Joel Wejuli (GK), Ian Mudhasi, Goldbil Biriwa, Nicholas Ddungu, Frank Mutekanga, Emmanuel Ekwong, Maurice Wansagi, Cosmas Osuna, Musa Male, Sadati Kasagga, Ivan Oceng

• Uganda Premier League | Result
• NEC 0-3 KCCA 

Muhammad Shaban once again turned up with his scoring boots as KCCA secured a 3-0 victory against NEC in the Uganda Premier League encounter at MTN Omondi Stadium on Friday.

In the game played under the floodlights, Shaban scored twice as Ashraf ‘Fadiga’ Mugume scored the other to seal off a stunning victory for the Kasasiro Boys.

However, it was Emmanuel Wasswa with the first chance of the game as he nearly placed the visitors in the lead only five minutes into the game but his long-range effort went inches wide.

Shaban finally fired the visitors ahead with a first-time volleyed shot into the back of the net.

Seven minutes later, Shaban attempted a long-range effort from a distance but the ball went narrowly over the frame as KCCA continued to show its hunger and aggressiveness.

Mugume came close but his attempt was narrowly off the target in the 24th minute. Joao Gabriel’s effort was blocked by Ibrahim Kiyemba before it landed on Shaban who teed up Mugume.

With four minutes to play, Shaban doubled KCCA’s lead with a well-taken outside-the-boot effort after Shamir Kimwero’s back pass went the wrong way.

Nine minutes into the second period, Mugume found himself with acres of space before he placed the ball past goalkeeper Samson Kirya thanks to Gabriel’s exciting delivery.

In added time, Geriga Atendele was shown a red card as the hosts concluded with a man less.

The victory takes KCCA to ninth on the log with 26 points while NEC is fourth with 31 points.