Express Football Club and rivals SC Villa shared spoils in the famous Kampala derby played at the Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Thursday.
Disan Galiwango struck game opener on the sunny evening with a quarter an hour left on the clock.
Shafik Bakaki, a former servant at Express, brought the game level with a well-executed header off Habibu Kavuma’s telling delivery five minutes later.
The opening half had both sides employ a possessive game with virtually limited scoring opportunities.
Birungi had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock eight minutes into the second half but his goal-bound effort after beating goalkeeper Yusuf Wasswa was cleared off the line by defender Shafik Bakaki.
Express right back Charles Musoke registered a decent attempt on target but his shot from about 25 yards was a routine collection for goalie Wasswa on 57 minutes.
FIFA Referee Brian Miiro Nsubuga dished out a yellow card on the hour mark to SC Villa’s Moses Kiggundu on 58 minutes.
Two minutes later, there was a double change for SC Villa.
Pius Wangi and Ashraf Mandela were introduced for John Adriko and Joseph Ssemujju respectively.
There and then, Mandela assumed the captaincy from stand in captain, Kavuma.
The Jogoos captain Habibu Kavuma registered a rare shot on target 40 yards away from goal but his effort was easily dealt with by goalkeeper Tonny Kyamera.
The Red Eagles called for the opening change on the evening when striker Brian Umony was rested for Mubaraka Nsubuga after 62 minutes.
SC Villa’s last change came in the 66th minute when hard tackling midfielder Sulaiman Majjanjaalo was introduced for the industrious Albert Mugisa.
The Jogoos suffered a set-back with 20 minutes to play as David Owori collapsed on the field of play and was stretchered off, leaving the team with only 10 men temporarily.
Galiwango lit up the mood with a sublime finish from an acute angle on the left into the bottom corner of the net past goalie Wasswa.
The lead, however, was short-lived. The equalizer arrived barely five minutes, a well-executed header by Shafik Bakaki off a telling delivery from Kavuma on the right.
Bakaki raced to the corner flag with a signal of shut up towards the Express fans.
There was no further threatening action with points shared.
Express attained their 9th draw of the season, taking them to 33 points.
The Jogoos earned their 12th stalemate of the campaign, adding up a point to 27 points, no so safe away from relegation.
SC Villa midfielder David Owori was named man of the match.
Team Line Ups:
Express XI: Tonny Kyamera (G.K), Charles Musoke, Arthur Kiggundu, John Revita, Shafik Kakeeto, Disan Galiwango, Michael Birungi, Badru Nsubuga, Pius Mbidde, Eric Kambale (Frank Zaga Tumwesigye), Brian Umony (Mubaraka Nsubuga)
Subs Not Used: Mathias Muwanga (G.K), Sadiq Ssekyembe, Ibrahim Kayiwa, Charles Lubega
SC Villa XI: Yusuf Wasswa (G.K), Ambrose Kirya, John Adriko (60′ Pius Wangi), Habibu Kavuma (G.K), Shafik Bakaki, David Owori, Albert Mugisa (66′ Sulaiman Majaanjalo), Joseph Ssemujju (60′ Ashraf Mandela), Ronald Magwali, Charles Lwanga
Subs Not Used: Samuel Kivumbi (G.K), Mike Sserumaga, Emmanuel Kalyowa