Police FC needed to dig deep to overcome Lugazi FC as the second round of the 2025/26 season started on Thursday.
In the game played at Kira Road Police Arena, the Cops secured a 2-1 win despite ending with a man less when Bedia Djuma Ikamba was sent off.
Ikamba and Charles Bbale gave Police a deserved 2-0 lead at halftime but Lugazi returned an improved side after recess to try and chase the game.
Abdul Kalanzi pulled one back for the Leaders three minutes from time but this only settled for a consolation goal with the hosts holding on to claim all three points.
The result takes Police FC to third place on the log with 31 points while Lugazi remain 11th on 15 points.
Brilliant start for the Cops
In the first round, Police FC was mainly effective in the second half, scoring 18 of the 26 goals after the break.
However, today, the Cops came out of the blocks quite early, dominating proceedings in the opening minutes and indeed were rewarded for their good start.
Bbale opened the scoring, firing the home side into the lead in the 14th minute with a ferocious strike.
Lugazi were punished for trying to start play from the back and when they lost possession, Brian James Obedi released Bbale on the right who cut inside before striking the ball with full throttle into the back of the net.
Ikamba nearly doubled the lead three minutes later when Richard Matovu sent a teasing cross into the box but the former shot into bodies.
The Congolese forward later got onto the score sheet in the 24th minute, heading home Bbale’s cross.
Rude return for coach Mugerwa
Coach Simon Peter Mugerwa, who was at Police FC last season, returned to face his former employers but he got a rude welcome.
His side will rue the sloppy start they had, failing to match the level at which Police were playing. The team lacked control with Ryan Figo Kizito, Sizwe and Saidi Kyeyune dominating proceedings.
Despite stepping up efforts when he made changes, introducing Alfred Leku, David Bagoole, Umar Kyebatala, Moses Buga and Ashiraf Mulindi, Lugazi failed to salvage at least a point.
Ikamba sees red
Police FC were reduced to ten men in the 77th minute with Ikamba sent off for a second bookable offence.
The striker had earlier been booked at the stroke of half-time but midway through the second half, the striker was adjudged to have elbowed Paul Wasswa.
Second assistant referee Happy Badru saw the incident and reported to centre referee Joseph Masembe.
As the referee called for medical attention, Police wanted to make a swift move and substitute Ikamba for Herman Wasswa but the referee Masembe turned down the move and instead sent off the striker.
In the closing stages, Lugazi made efforts and were awarded a penalty when Benon Tahomera held the ball in the box and Kalanzi stepped up to slot home three minutes from time.
The final minutes were edgy for the Cops but they fought hard to hold onto the score and claim all three points.
Police FC will return to action on Tuesday next week, away against Buhimba United Saints, while Lugazi will be at home to UPDF the following day.