As the transfer window comes to an end, Uganda Premier League side Kitara has completed the signing of Umar Lutalo.

The Royals have agreed terms with former SC Villa midfielder on a one-year employment contract.

Lutalo was instrumental in the journey as SC Villa clinched the 17th League title to end the 20-year trophy drought.

Shortly after the campaign, he announced his departure as reports linked him to a transfer to Europe.

However, it was unfortunate that his trials hit a dead end as he travelled back to the country.

Lutalo’s arrival follows the signing of players like Ronald Otti, Marvin Nyanzi, Moses Sseruyidde, Denis Mande, Douglas Oyirwoth, Fred Amaku among others.

Kitara registered a well-deserved 3-1 victory against Lugazi and will take on NEC in the second game of the campaign.

Uganda Premier League | Results

• Police 0-0 BUL
• SC Villa 4-2 Mbarara City
• Express 2-1 Mbale Heroes

Police fought hard to hold BUL in a one-all draw in the Uganda Premier League encounter at Kavumba Recreation Ground, Wakiso, on Monday.

Even with a man down, the Cops kept their heads high and left everything on the green to ensure that at least they picked something out of the game.

It was Police’s first game in the top-tier after spending two seasons in the FUFA Big League.

Forward Gerald Ogweti was sent off after receiving a straight red card. Ogweti elbowed his opponent, and the referee had no merciful words for him.

Both sides went into the break without seeing the back of the net despite creating chances in the game.

In the 53rd minute, Police came close through Denis Kalanzi’s header off Allan Bukenya’s deep delivery.

Police custodian Edward Kasibante was called to action as he palmed away Ramsey Kawooya’s powerful effort from a distance.

Four minutes later, Isaac Wagoina came so close to breaking the deadlock, but goalkeeper Kasibante was quick to intervene.

With a minute left on the clock, once again, goalkeeper Kasibante palmed away Nicholas Mwere’s stunner to salvage a point for the Cops.

Uganda Premier League | Result

• Express 2-1 Mbale Heroes

Express secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Mbale Heroes in the Uganda Premier League encounter at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, on Monday.

Samuel Ssenyonjo (brace) scored for Express, while Davis Ssekaja found the back of the net for UPDF.

Hassan Kato got Mbale Heroes’ chance, but his powerful effort inside the area went inches off the target.

In the 25th minute, Samuel Ssenyonjo was brought down in the area by defender Samson Kasozi, and the referee pointed on the spot.

Mustafa Kizza stepped up but failed to convert from the 12-yard mark after blasting the ball over the goal frame.

Isaac Ofoyrwoth fired on target from a distance, but Express custodian Micheal Kagiri was equal to the challenge.

Coming into the second half, Mbale Heroes returned so much rejuvenated trying to utilise their speed and athleticism.

Ssenyonjo broke the deadlock in the 59th minute with an easy tap-in after connecting well with Alpha Thiery Ssali’s delivery.

In the 75th minute, Ssali was fouled in the area, but the centre referee waved away, noting that the contact was minimal.

Ssenyonjo completed a brace in the 83rd minutes as he was released by Micheal Kimera before the forward chipped the ball over the forward.

Four minutes later, Davis Ssekaja pulled one back for the visitors, who hardly went out of energy and belief.

Pius Kaggwa nearly found the equaliser at the death, but his powerful effort bounced off the frame.

The victory gives the Red Eagles maximum points and a perfect start in the 2024-25 campaign.

Uganda Premier League | Results

• SC Villa 4-2 Mbarara City
• Police 0-0 Mbale Heroes

SC Villa secured a well-deserved 4-2 victory against Mbarara City in the Uganda Premier League encounter at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Monday.

SC Villa started the game on the front foot, hence throwing several bodies upfront in search of an opener.

Defender Arnold Odongo fired the hosts ahead in the eighth minute with a powerful header from close range off David Owori’s free kick.

Ten minutes later, Elvis Ngonde extended Villa’s lead through a powerful effort that found Mbarara City’s custodian, Abdul Kimera, napping.

At half an hour mark, Innocent Wafula laid in a lovely delivery from the right flank, but Henry Kitegenyi’s forward went wide.

Mbarara City kept seeking a consolation goal, but Seri Ariguma’s free kick in the 34th minute bounced off the frame.

Mbarara City was trailing by two goals to the Joggo at the end of the 45 minutes.

Within a minute into the second half, Patrick Kakande scored SC Villa’s third goal on the day to complete a well-orchestrated team attack.

Hakim Kiwanuka made it four in the 58th minute after a solo effort and a lovely flip over the custodian Kimera.

SC Villa Bradley Wokorach made a stellar save as he denied Seri Arigumaho, who also failed to find the target with an empty net at his disposal.

In the 80th minute, Arigumaho finally found a consolation after Wokorach clumsily lost hold of the ball in the box.

Paul Busolo found Mbarara City’s second goal, but it was not enough to secure anything positive from the game.

Next on the menu, SC Villa will be on the road to face Mbale Heroes on Sunday, September 22, 2024.

Uganda Premier League | Results

• NEC 3-1 Vipers
• Maroons 1-1 UPDF
• Wakiso Giants 1-1 Bright Stars

NEC secured a well-deserved 3-1 victory against Vipers in the Uganda Premier League at MTN Omondi Stadium on Monday.

Muzamir Mutyaba, Cromwell Rwothmio, and Paul Mucureezi scored for the hosts while Livingston Mulondo was on target for Vipers SC.

Mutyaba opened the floodgates for NEC as he found the back of the net in the 12th minute. He was set up by Enock Ssebagala before finishing off delightfully.

However, Vipers levelled matters in the 26th minute after jumping high to node home Moses Waiswa’s corner kick.

In the second half, the hosts returned refreshed and motivated to seal off the assignment in a three-star mode.

At the hour mark, Rwothomio regained NEC’s lead after tapping home from close range thanks to Rashid Okocha’s delivery.

Mucureezi extended NEC’s lead after a minute, Vipers’ backline found themselves flat footed, and they were punished.

Second half entrant Ernest Ankunda missed a keeper-to-beat opportunity as Vipers tried to return in the game.

The result awarded NEC maximum points but also a huge boost as the 2024-25 campaign gets underway.

Next on the menu, NEC will be visiting Kitara on Thursday, September, while Vipers host Express on the same day.

How they lined up

NEC XI – Hannington Ssebwalunyo, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Kelvin Barni, Geriga Atendele, Ibrahim Thembo, Dickson Niwamanya, Isma Kawawulo, Muzamir Mutyaba, Rashid Okocha, Enock Ssebagala, James Jarieko

Vipers XI – Denis Kiggundu, Livingstone Mulondo, Nicholas Wadada, Enock Luyima, Paul Mbowa, Pedro Sukuya, Karim Watambala, Allan Okello, Moses Waiswa, Kenneth Kimera, Milton Karisa

Uganda Premier League | Result

• Maroons 1-1 UPDF

Maroons and UPDF played to a one-all draw in the Uganda Premier League encounter at Luzira Prisons Ground on Sunday.

Jackson Nunda and Hussein Zzinda scored for Maroons and UPDF in the thrilling stalemate.

Muhajid Ogama and Ibrahim Dada came so close but put to waste clear opportunities for the hosts.

In the same spirit, Samuel Ssekamatte and Joseph Janjali had a chance to give UPDF the lead but failed to find the back of the net.

However, in the 83rd minute, Nunda fired Maroons ahead with a thunderous effort as the hosts got on their feet.

With a minute left on the clock, Zzinda easily tapped home on a rebound as Maroons’ custodian Hassan Matovu tried to punch away a strong effort.

Next on the menu, Maroons will host Wakiso Giants on Friday, September 20, while UPDF will play Lugazi in Bombo a day earlier.

How they lined up

Maroons XI: Hassan Matovu (GK), Godwin Kitagenda, Apollo Kagogwe, Edward Kabona, Felix Okot, Norman Odipio, Jackson Nunda, Rogers Kiwanuka, Brian Omirambe, Ibrahim Dada, Jaden Mujahid Ogama.

UPDF XI: Wasswa Yusuf (GK), Kawagu Christopher, Tebandeke Christopher, Bernard Muwanga, Aggrey Kiirya, Ronald Kayondo, Mugisa Frank, Bashir Kabuye, Joseph Janjali, Samuel Ssekamatte, Faridi Rashid Achumu.

Uganda Premier League – Fixture

• Lugazi vs Kitara

Latest league entrants Lugazi Football Club are set to face to Kitara in their maiden Uganda Premier League encounter at Lugazi Stadium, Najjembe on Saturday.

This will be a worth test for Lugazi FC as they test their tools, quality and resilience to see if they fit the requirements of top tier football.

Lugazi head coach Sadiq Ssempigi is aware of the threat ahead and he expects a tough test from the Royals.

“Kitara is a very good team and a very tough challenger. They have had very good games in the pre-season, I watched most of their games in the FUFA Super 8 and the Confederation Cup,” the gaffer told the club media.

“They are very ambitious, play well and they have fared well in the market – they really have good players who think will give us a very tough challenge,” he added.

“But I want to accept that we are at home and we know the kind of opponent we are going to face. We are going to work hard to make sure we answer most of the questions that will be presented.”

Kitara’s red hot forward line which has Denis Omedi and Jude Ssemugabi will face an experienced backline that is expected to have Bashir Asiku and Richard Ayiko.

In the previous campaign, Kitara finished fourth on the log before clinching the Uganda Cup trophy, with that at hand the Royals will push for more accolades.

• Uganda Premier League | Fixture
• Friday, September 13, 2024
• KCCA vs URA – 7:00 pm

KCCA Football Club are set to host URA Football Club as the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League campaign gets underway at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Friday.

As the campaign kicks off, both sides will be seeking maximum points so as to attain a perfect start.

KCCA head coach Abdallah Mubiru believes that his charges are motivated enough to secure an impressive start.

“We want to start the league on a positive note as this will give us momentum,” the gaffer stated.

“We have prepared well and hopefully the players can execute the things we have been working on during pre-season,” he added.

“We will not have Usama Arafat as he is recovering from a knock he suffered in pre-season but the rest of the squad is available to represent the club.”

URA gaffer Alex Isabirye sounds confident noting that he is building a team that will put up a great fight.

“We are building a team that will compete. Personally, I am a natural born winner and I want trophies here and our target this season is to achieve something at the end,” he stated.

KCCA will be seeking a better start to the league compared to that of the previous campaign where they were winless in the first five games.

In the previous 29 meetings, KCCA FC has won nine times, while URA FC FC has won 13. Both sides have shared spoils seven times.

Uganda Premier League side Express has confirmed the signing of left-back Mustafa Kizza in the ongoing transfer window.

The former KCCA FC roving left-back put pen on a one-year employment contract.

Kizza is known for his balance in defensive and attacking abilities that have made him exceptional in the specific position.

The defender’s arrival is expected to strengthen Express’ roaster who are preparing to start life at their new home Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo.

Kizza recently left his boyhood club KCCA FC before he was linked to several clubs but he decided to join the Red Eagles.

He becomes Express’ second signing following the arrival Saidi Kyeyune who switched from the Tax Collectors.

The Red Eagles will kick-start the 2024-25 campaign against Mbale Heroes on Saturday at Nakivubo.

Uganda Premier League side URA has confirmed the acquisition of attacking midfielder Abraham Tusubira in the ongoing transfer window.

The signing was confirmed via the club’s official website on Tuesday, September 9, 2024.

“We are delighted to announce the signing of attacking midfielder Abraham Tusubira,” the statement.

Tusubira registered 10 assists in the league last season where he led the sheet of creators.

In the same breath, he missed out on the best midfielder award that went to SC Villa’s Ronald Ssekiganda.

His arrival follows the arrival of new entrant Isma Mugulusi as the Tax Collectors continue to build a new team ahead of the new season.

The Tax Collectors will kick start the campaign against KCCA at Phillip Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Friday, September 13, 2024.