• FUFA Big League | Result
• Police FC 3-1 Ndejje University 

Police Football Club continued with their perfect run after registering their third victory in as many games played in the ongoing 2023/24 FUFA Big League campaign.

Police beat Ndejje University 3-1 in the Big League on Thursday at Kavumba Recreational Grounds, Wakiso.

James Brian Obedi, Isaac Ogwang, and Emanuel Mugume were on target to score the three goals for the Cops.

Six minutes into the game, Obedi guided home Raymond Onyai’s delivery to give the Cops a great start as he punished his former paymasters.

Five minutes later, Francis Onekalit nearly levelled the matters for Ndejje University but custodian Davis Mutebi pulled off a stunning save to keep the score intact.

Debutant Duncan Sseninde nearly came close after being set up by Tonny Kiwalanzi but his shot went narrowly wide.

Goalkeeper Mutebi was back to action with an astonishing save parring away Joel Omakira’s stunning effort.

Isaac Ogwang doubled the Cops’ lead with a phenomenal thunderbolt leaving Ndejje University’s custodian helpless in the 63rd minute.

Five minutes later, Coach Simon Peter Mugerwa made a double change introducing Herman Wasswa and Emmanuel Mugume for Sseninde and Raymond Onyai.

Ten minutes to end the game, Ndejje pulled back one through Enock Omakira to exert pressure on to the hosts.

In added time, Mugume made it three with an easy finish to hit the last nail into Ndejje’s coffin.

After three games into the season, Police are on nine points sending a statement to the other teams in the Big League.

FUFA Big League side Police Football Club has announced Simon Peter Mugerwa as the new head coach.

Mugerwa replaces Angelo Lonyesi who was relieved from the role after the closure of the 2023/24 campaign.

Police FC has awarded Mugerwa with a three-year employment contract that will keep him at the job until 2026.

In a press conference, Mugerwa expressed his excitement upon signing off the deal with the cops.

“The target is very clear. We have to do all it takes to see that we take back the club where it belongs. We have to work hard to see that qualify for the Uganda Premier League,” he said.

“It will not be easy. The pressure is there but we shall work with everyone at the club to see that we work hard and ensure we reach the promised land,” he added.

“Being a born of this area am excited to be joining this historical club. I am so happy and I promise to deliver as expected.”

Mugerwa will be assisted by Robert Sekyweyama and Nestroy Kizito as first and second assistant coaches respectively.

Ben Lwanga will take the goalkeeper’s coaching role while Fazil Ibrahim retains the position of the fitness trainer.

The 2023/24 campaign is soon getting underway and Police will host Young Elephants at Kavumba Recreational Grounds on Sunday, September 25.

FUFA Big League side Police has shown their coaching staff the exit door.

Angelo Lonyesi, David Yiga and Faisal Kanene who were the head coach, assistant coach and goal keepers respectively have been relived of their roles.

“We can officially confirm dissolving our coaching staff that has ASP Angelo Lonyesi, Sgt David Yiga and goalkeepers’ coach SPC Faisal Kanene,” a statement partly read.

“With their devoted hearts, the Cops came short of top flight return finishing fourth and runners up in Uganda Cup. We appreciate the out going technical team for its tireless efforts,” it added.

“We wish them well in their next endevours. Going forward, the outgoing team will be re-assigned other responsibilities since they still serve as active Police officers,” it concluded.

The Cops staged a fair show in the just concluded 2022/23 campaign, they finished fourth on the Big League log and lost to Vipers SC on the Uganda Cup finals.

It will be the second time Lonyesi is relieved from the head coach role.

Reports indicate Simon Peter Mugerwa is assumed to be the next boss at the Kibuli based side.

As Vipers SC lifted the Uganda Cup title, five individuals were rewarded for their exceptional show in the just concluded tournament.

Among the five, two were Vipers players which added more joy and stage another reason for Alex Isabirye’s troops to celebrate.

Best Goalkeeper: Fabien Mutombora 

The Venoms custodian Fabien Mutombora was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper for guiding his side to the accolade.

The Burundian goalkeeper conceded only three goals and was in between the posts as his side won a penalty shootout on three occasions against Bujumbura United, Jinja North United and Wakiso Giants respectively.

Best Defender: Ashraf Mandela

Vipers right back and second deputy captain Ashraf Mandela was recognized as the tournament’s best defender.

Mandela has been tremendous throughout the journey ensuring three clean sheets and also scoring the important late equaliser against Wakiso Giants which was also the club’s first goal in normal time for the concluded tournament.

Best Midfielder: Amisi Semugera

Police FC’s Amisi Semugera was announced as the tournament’s best midfielder despite not playing a single minute in the finals.

The lanky midfielder was tremendous in the previous games and was the engine that pushed the Cops to the final hurdle of the race.

Top Scorer: Emmanuel Loki

Bright Stars forward Emmanuel Loki scored five goals to walk away with the golden boot. He guided his side to the semifinals where they lost to Vipers SC 4-1 on aggregate.

Most Assists: Ibrahim Kasinde

Bright Stars’ forward Ibrahim Kasinde collected five assists to scoop the award.

Saturday, June 3, 2023

Uganda Cup Final

• Police FC 0-1 Vipers SC

Vipers SC finally brought an end to the wait to finally clinch the much-anticipated double.

The Venoms registered a 1-0 narrow victory against Police FC to win the Uganda Cup in a duel played at Akii Bu Stadium in Lira District on Saturday.

Shortly after winning the Uganda Premier League, the Kitende-based side went on to seal a double on the third trial thanks to Milton Karisa’s lonely strike.

Vipers went on to hunt for a double in 2018 KCCA FC stopped them in Bukedea. They returned to the battlefield last year and still, BUL spoilt the party in Hoima.

Angelo Lonyesi’s charges commanded the biggest percentage of possession with short and well-weighed passes but failed to guide the ball past the dotted line.

In the 13th minute, Herman Wasswa capitalised on Rogers Torach’s fumble before he set up Emmanuel Mugume but the forward’s effort went narrowly above the frame.

Skipper Milton Karisa placed Vipers in the lead with a thrilling header directed into the back of the net off Bright Anukani’s well-taken corner kick in the 16th minute.

Ten minutes later, Ashraf Mandela’s long ball met Karisa in the box but the Cops’ captain Joseph Ssentume threw his body on the line to block the effort.

In the 34th minute, Vipers nearly gave away a chilly goal after a miscommunication between goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora and Torach but Mugume’s shot went off target.

At the start of the second half, Alex Isabirye made the first change introducing Karim Ndugwa for Abubaker Lawal who had staged a dull show in the first half.

Six minutes past half an hour mark, Nduggwa came close to extending the lead but goalkeeper Davis Mutebi swiftly dealt with the challenge.

With 15 minutes to play, Karisa was denied to double the lead with only a keeper to beat. The agile forward was set up by Ndugwa but Mutebi punched the ball out for a corner kick.

Isabirye also wrote his name in the books of history after lifting his fourth Uganda Cup title after earlier winning it with BUL, Victoria University and URA FC.

• Saturday, June 3 | Uganda Cup Final
• Police FC vs Vipers SC – 3 pm

Vipers SC have won this season’s Uganda Premier League and can add to that if they beat Big League side Police FC in the Uganda Cup Final on Saturday, June 3 to seal off a long-awaited double.

The Cops are eager to spoil the party as their head coach Angelo Lonyesi reveals it will be one of the easiest matches they have played throughout this year’s campaign.

“I think this is going to be one of the easiest matches for us,” Lonyesi strongly noted ahead of the duel at Akiibua Stadium in Lira District.

“We have had enough time to prepare and I think it has been used to the maxim. We are very ready for tomorrow’s game and since it’s the last of the season, we are ready to play our hearts out,” he added.

“Many hardly expected Police to reach here and it’s upon us to prove, we deserve it. We are here and we shall surprise them the more by winning the trophy.”

However, Vipers have a big assignment of joining the class of double winners led by SC Villa (6), KCCA and Express who have achieved it once.

Last year, they came so close but BUL extended the wait just like their bitter rivals KCCA did in Bukedea (2018).

Vipers SC head coach Alex Isabirye takes the game lightly, respecting his opponent and underling that they are up to a hard game against the Cops.

“I know the game will not be easy. There is no weak team which reaches the finals,” Isabirye said.

“I know they are a good side but we are ready for this game. We have prepared well and will give our best to see that we win the title,” he added.

In the same spirit, Milton Karisa, Vipers captain expressed his readiness for the game noting they have prepared well and are ready to fight for the badge.

Police are climaxing a disappointing season after they failed to return to top-tier football so they would love to finish on a high with silverware in their trophy cabin.

Police’s last trophy came in 2006 as they were CECAFA Kagame Cup winners.

On the flip side, Vipers have had not the best season but managed to take home the league title so winning the Uganda Cup will make this particular squad the most successful in clinching a double.

Vipers SC have yet another chance to win a double, can they finally get the assignment done?

The Venoms face Police FC in the Uganda Cup final. It’s the third straight final for the Kitende-based side after falling in the previous final to BUL FC in a 3-1 loss.

Having won the Uganda Premier League last week, Alex Isabirye’s charges have one test ahead of them: beating Police FC in the game that will be played at Akii Bua Stadium, Lira.

High scoring rate

To reach the third successive final, the Venoms eliminated Bright Stars FC thanks to a 4-1 aggregate win in the semifinals.

Vipers SC whitewashed Bright Stars 4-0 at St Mary’s Kitende, Stadium before they lost 1-0 in the second leg.

Vipers as well thumped Calvary FC 4-1 in the quarterfinals and it has proved that if the scoring tap opens then it can get freely flowing which might give their opponents Police FC a big task.

The same Venom was exhibited in the last league game as the league champions put five past Busoga United to clinch the title on goal difference.

Isabirye in search of fourth 

Isabirye was on the hunting side last year as he set up the plan for BUL to beat Vipers and win their maiden title.

However, he has lifted the title with Victoria University and URA. So he would be searching for the fourth but also guiding Vipers to its very first double.

Urge to make amends

Having lost the title last year with a star-studded side, Vipers will seek to make amends and that can only be done by nothing else but only lifting the prestigious honour.

Having said it all, Vipers will have some work to do since Police FC’s gaffer Angelo Lonyesi has already set the warning promising to play their hearts out in the much-anticipated duel.

• Uganda Cup | Semifinals
• Bright Stars 1-0 Vipers (Agg: 1-4)

Vipers SC and Police FC will contend for this year’s FUFA Uganda Cup after securing the slots in the final on Saturday.

Vipers went past Bright Stars while Police were on top of the Big League clash to storm the final.

Despite the 1-0 loss to Bright Stars at Kavumba Recreational Grounds, the Venoms progressed 4-1 on aggregate.

It should be noted Vipers will play their third Uganda Cup final in a row. In the previous two, they have won one and lost one.

In the 40th minute, Rogers Torach fumbled to give possession to Nelson Ssenkatuka before he went past Hillary Mukundane before he composed himself to squeeze the ball past Fabien Mutombora.

A minute later, Ssenkatuka yet again warmed Mutombora’s gloves before he punched the ball out for a corner kick.

At the stroke of the first stanza, the hosts were at it again as Ssenkatuka danced around Mutombora but failed to place the ball into an empty net as Torach cleared his lines.

Five minutes into the second stanza, Abdul Lumala danced his way into the area before his chipped effort rattled off the frame.

Moments later, Bright Anukani set up Martin Kizza whose powerful effort was blocked by Bright Stars custodian Sanon Mulabi.

In the 74th minute, Karim Watambala made a sole effort through a forest of legs before his effort sailed inches wide of the goal post.

At the death of the game, Cromwell Rwothomio squeezed the ball on target from a tight angle but Mulabi was quick to guard his lines with a reflex save.

At full-time, Vipers sealed off a date with Big League side Police in the Uganda Cup final that will be played at Akii Bua, Lira on Saturday, June 3, 2021.

Police FC head coach Angelo Lonyesi credits Adjumani Town Council for the great spirit exhibited in the second leg against his side.

Adjumani TC registered a 2-1 victory against the Cops in the second leg of the Uganda Cup semifinals in the game played at Paridi Stadium on Friday evening.

“This is the toughest game we have played in this year’s Uganda Cup,” Lonyesi told the press after the final whistle of the game.

“Even BUL did not give us a hard time like today’s game. Actually Adjumani put up a sprinted fight and if they played like this in the first then by now we would be out,” he added.

Police managed to take the first-leg advantage with a 1-0 victory and thus helping them advance to finals on away goals rule.

Samuel Kayongo gave the Cops a lead at the stroke of the first stanza. However, they could not hold on to keep the lead in the second half.

Seven minutes into the second half, Basani Safi restored parity from the spot before Sadiq Nasoor gave the home side the lead through a stunning shot from a rebound.

“Actually I didn’t understand where the penalty came from. So we conceded the equaliser from the spot before the other coming from a defensive error. So we accept we lost but atleast we are going to the next stage.”

“This is our chance to win this trophy. We shall come for the final game calmly knowing what we want. They (Vipers SC) will undermine us but we are ready for the challenge,” he concluded.

The finals will be played on Saturday June 3 at Akii Bua Stadium in Lira.

• Friday, May 26
• Adjumani TC 2(2)-1(2) Police

Police Football Club squeezed through to advance to the finals of the Uganda Cup even after falling to Adjumani Town Council on the road.

In a game played at Paridi Stadium, Police lost to Adjumani TC 2-1 in a thrilling encounter as the two sides fought for a spot in the finals.

Sadiq Nasoor and Basani Safi scored for the home side while Samuel Kayongo found the only but all-important goal for the Cops in the tight duel.

The Cops came into this game with a first-leg advantage of a narrow 1-0 win registered at their home at Kavumba Recreational Ground.

The visitors kicked off with the right rhythm to ensure they take command of the game.

The Cops came close after Joseph Sentume guided Jackson Ssemugabi’s corner narrowly wide after beating a number of bodies in the box.

The home side respond but custodian Davis Mutebi pulled off a stunning finger-tip save to matters at bay.

With a minute to play in the first stanza, Kayongo was in the right place to tap home Denis Kalanzi’s well-delivered cross to place the visitors in the driving seat.

Seven minutes into the second stanza, Adjumani received a penalty and Basani calmly scored from the spot to level matters.

Moments later, Police’s goalkeeping coach Faisal Kanene received matching orders for his discontent with what he termed as a controversial call from the centre referee.

Three minutes past an hour mark, Nasoor gave the home side a lead that light-up the home crowd.

Angelo Lonyesi made a double change later on introducing Abdulnoor Nsereko and Reagan Male but the score kept intact till the final whistle of the game.

This will be Police’s third Uganda Cup final after qualifying for that in the years 2000 and 2003 though they lost both.

Police will wait to play the winner between Vipers SC and Bright Stars after the climax of the two-legged show.

Though Vipers have an edge after registering a whopping 4-0 victory in the first leg.