Overview:
Defeat leaves Police sixth on the 16 team log with 35 points. Express climbed to 10th with 26 points off 22 matches.
Uganda Premier League 2025/26 (Match day 22):
- Express 3-1 Police
Express Football Club produced a masterful performance in the final five minutes during the 3-1 home win over Police at the Hamz Stadium on Wednesday night.
Yosia Kisa, as well as two late goals from Henry Wamala and Kenneth Kimera, gave the Red Eagles maximum points during the Matchday 22 contest.
Saidi Kyeyune, a former captain at Express, had given Police the lead, but the beautiful strike turned into a mere consolation.
Kyeyune lit up the game with a stunning opener after Charles Bbaale’s cut back on the right on the half-hour mark.
The joy was, however, short-lived as Kisa headed home over goalkeeper Edward Kasibante two minutes later.
The visitors commenced the game strongly when Charles Bbaale shot wide of the Express goal frame from 20 yards under two minutes from kick off.
Express immediately reacted as Police goalkeeper Edward Kasibante pushed away a Mikidadi Ssenyonga corner kick delivery.
Moments later, the goalie was alert to collect a throughball from the dreadlocked Amos Muwonge
Police maintained the offensive play and in the 10th minute, Samuel Kayongo executed a diagonal ball but it was too high for Lawrence Tezikya.
Police defender Benon Tahomera made a rare overlap that earned the visitors yet another corner kick delivered by Bbaale.
On the quarter-hour mark, Ssenyonga shot directly at goalie Kasibante.
Muwonge was blocked by Police left-back Richard Matovu, and the resultant free-kick from Ssenyonga was blocked by the well-stationed defensive wall.
Express playmaker Marvin Nyanzi blasted a rebound over the Police goal frame and left back John Asiimwe also ventured upfront to no avail.
Police got close in the 28th minute when Tahomera headed out Bbaale’s inswinging corner kick.
The visitors broke the deadlock when skipper Kyeyune fired home following a decent cut back by Bbaale on the right flank in the 31st minute.
The joy was, however, short-lived as Kisa headed home an Assiimwe cross from the left two minutes later for the equalizer.
Towards the end of the first stanza, Kyeyune had a free-kick well picked up by Express goalkeeper Khassim Hafizi, and the goalkeeper also saved from Tezikya after the latter was set up by Bedia Ikamba.
Express had the final attack of the first half. Wing back Vincent Adriko crossed the ball from the right toward Asiimwe who laid it into the area and Police defended well.
On the rebound, defender Douglas Rwotngeyo shot way over the Police goal as the first half ended 1-all.
Upon restart of play in the second half, Kyeyune chipped a great free-kick but Bbaale arrived late to make any contact.
Ten minutes into the final stanza, Kimera shots directly to goalkeeper Kasibante inside the goal area for a fruitless corner kick.
On the hour mark, Police’s debutant on the day Sula Mpanga had a sweet delivery from the right flank but the Express goalkeeper parried away the ball and the rebound by Bbaale flew over to the stands.
Moments later, Police called for a double change. Reagan Steven Male and Abdul Shakur Ramzy Jjemba were introduced for Bbaale and Abubakar Ssengooba respectively.
Ikamba managed to put into the net but the off-side flag had been raised.
In the 68th minute, Assiimwe shot wide off the weaker right foot.
Tezikya nearly made it two for Police but defender Marvin Wambuga cleared the ball off the line with the goalkeeper already beaten.
Inside the final 20 minutes, Express called for a double substitution.
Henry Wamala replaced the industrious Muwonge and Isa Glory Kisuule paved way for Sharif Lubega.
Almost immediately, Express called for another change; Elvis Ssekajugo got introduced for Ssenyonga.
The end-to-end affair continued as Tezikya shot over from the edge of the goal area for Police before Express’ Nyanzi also had a shot off target from 25 yards as Express.
The Red Eagles brought on Blanchar Mulamba for the largely effective Nyanzi on the 80th minute mark.
Defender Wambuga continued his incredible work when he blocked Ikamba’s shot inside the goal area.
Inside the final three minutes of the game, a long ball floated from defence by Wambuga bounced over goalkeeper Kasibante and substitute Wamala raced to finish into an empty net as Express took the lead.
Wamala was cautioned for removing the shirt in the celebration.
Upon restart, another long ball from the Express back found Kimera totally unmarked and he fired a low drive past Kasibante for the Red Eagles’ third goal on the eventful night.
Kimera, on loan from Vipers finished off with a bullet shot inside the three added minutes as Express commanded a two goal cushion.
At this stage, it was done and dusted with the final whistle by referee Nasser Muhammed Kirya welcomed by wild celebrations by the Express players and fans alike.
The Red Eagles had secured victory and maximum points at the death of the game.
Defeat leaves Police sixth on the 16-team log with 35 points. Express climbed to 10th with 26 points off 22 matches.
The early kick off at the lake side Luzira Prisons stadium, Maroons edged BUL 1-0 with Ivan Mayanja on target.
Team Line Ups:
Express XI: Khassim Hafizi (G.K, Captain), Sharif Lubega, Vincent Adriko, Marvin Wambuga, Douglas Rwotngeyo, Yosia Kisa, Marvin Nyanzi, Mikidadi Ssenyonga, John Asiimwe, Kenneth Kimera, Amos Muwonge
Subs: Ronald Kiberu, Blanchar Mulamba, Henry Wamala, Habert Asiimwe, Elvis Ssekajugo, Peter Onzima, Baker Sakah, Isa Glory Kisule, Ali Ismael
Head coach: Jimmy Kintu
Police XI: Edward Kasibante (G.K), Saidi Kyeyune (Captain), Richard Matovu, Benon Tahomera, Sula Mpanga, Daniel Jakonyi, Lawrence Tezikya, Samuel Kayongo, Juma Bedia Ikamba, Charles Bbaale, Ibrahim Ssengooba
Subs: Samuel Oluka, Reagan Steven Male, Umaru Kasumba, Allan Bukenya, Deus Bukenya, Emmanuel Mugume, Abdul Shakur Ramzy
Head coach: Mathias Lule
Match officials:
- Center Referee: Nasser Muhammed Kirya
- 1st Assistant Referee: Jane Mutonyi
- 2nd Assistant Referee: Hilary Twesigye
