Overview:
A point for Vipers took their tally to 51 from 22 outings. Kitara added their collection to 47 points at the final bend of the season.
- Uganda Premier League 2025-26
- Matchday 22: Vipers 0-0 Kitara
The tension, emotions and expectations were all fully charged up and well expressed during the top-of-the-table clash between Vipers and Kitara at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, under floodlights.
By the close of business, a point apiece was shared by these two entities in a duel well handled by referee Ashadu Ssemeere.
Right from the onset, the intentions and aspirations were clear. Fight for every piece of action with passion and full energy.
A couple of half-chances created, charged-up moments and definitely cautions to tame the emotions.
Before thousands of spectators under the Kitende floodlights, the hosts commenced the game brilliantly, slowed down in between, and ended the game on a strong footing.
The hosts commenced brightly with good coordination in the early stages of the game. Left back Enock Luyima delivered a great cross but defender Murushid Juuko was well stationed to head away the threat in the 8th minute.
Kitara right back Henry Musisi latched a later challenge on Nigerian-born winger Odili Chukwuma for a free-kick that Abdul-Karim Watambala curled, and defender Da Slyva Bady headed over at the back post.
Towards the half-hour mark, Chukwuma served a decent chip which Watambala headed into skipper Milton Karisa’s path but goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige collided with the Vipers’ captain.
Kitara’s first threat at the opposition came after 33 minutes when Jimmy Kalema shot from the edge of the goal area.
Watambala once again maintained his chipping business, and this time around, Karisa controlled well, but defender Isa Lumu closed in well.
Vipers’ right back Ashraf Mandela conveyed a good cross that Watambala headed out in another offensive move for the hosts.
Yunus Sibira became the first player to be booked for a late tackle.
Tadeo Lwanga and Lumu also got cautioned following a chaotic moment inside Kitara’s goal area as Vipers prepared to execute a corner kick.
The final piece of action for the opening half witnessed Lwanga set up DaSlyva, who narrowly shot out with a low drive.
Kitara made a triple change as the second half kicked off. On came the trio of Alex Emmanuel Wasswa, George Senkaaba and Edson Agondeze for Hussein Ssenoga, Patrick Henry Kaddu and Living Kabon, respectively
Agondeze immediately tested Vipers’ goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu with a curled ball, but the shot stopper tipped the ball over for a corner kick.
It was Kitara again when Tumwesigye had a free-kick pushed away in the 53rd minute.
Three minutes later, Vipers’ winger Chukwuma delivered a cheeky ball in the area but Arafat Kiza Usama did not make contact with the head.
Kitara captain Jasper Aheebwa Baguma was called upon to defend against Mandela towards the hour mark. Moments later, defender Lumu fouled Karisa, and Watambala curled the resultant free-kick over the Kitara goal from 25 yards.
In the 65th minute, Kalema slid and blocked Watambala on the edge of the goal area.
It was Vipers again as Enock Ssebagala’s diagonal ball for Chukwuma was headed straight to Kitara goalkeeper Kibirige.
With twenty minutes to play, Sibira had a timely interception off Ssebagala’s defence splitter.
Mukundane defended well off Aheebwa’s free kick, and Ssebagala shot off target later on
Mandela’s cross was collected by goalkeeper Kibirige before Luyima was cautioned for a late challenge on Kalema on 80 minutes.
Vipers’ goalkeeper Kiggundu was alert to tame a distant effort from Musisi.
With six minutes to play, Lumu was stretchered out with Samuel Kato Nemeyimana replacing him.
Vipers’ first changes of the game arrived in the 85th minute. Glodi Munsi Beyuku replaced captain Karisa’s slot, and Robon Kane Hney took over Chuwukuma’s place.
There were unfortunate, ugly scenes towards the end of the game as tempers erupted, but no player was further booked.
Kitara’s defender Murushid Juuko was named man of the match.
A point for Vipers took their tally to 51 from 22 outings. Kitara added their collection to 47 points at the final bend of the season.
Team Line Ups:
Vipers XI: Denis Kiggundu (G.K), Ashraf Mandela, Enock Luyima, Hilary Panuel Mukundane, Kevin Da Slyva Bady, Enock Ssebagala, Tadeo Lwanga, Milton Karisa (Captain), Arafat Usama Kiza, Abdul Karim Watambala, Odili Chukwuma
Subs: Bashir Bravo Ssekagya (G.K), Isaac Ogwang, Paul Patrick Mbowa, Rogers Torach Ochaki, Joseph Marvin Youngman, Nico Wakiro Wadada, Robin Kane Hney, Beyuku Glodi Munsi, Derrick Ndahiro, Mark Juwle Yallah, Junior Yunus Sentamu
Kitara XI: Meddie Kibirige (G.K), Isa Muzeeyi Lumu, Jasper Aheebwa Baguma (Captain), Henry Muyomba Musisi, Murushid Juuko, Yunus Sibira, Hussein Ssenoga, Frank Tumwesigye, Jimmy Kalema, Patrick Henry Kaddu, Living Kabon
Subs: Samuel Kato Nemeyimana, George Senkaaba, John Bosco Byaruhanga, Wahab Gadafi, Emmanuel Alex Wasswa, Crispus Asiki, Amir Kakomo, Saleh Azizi, Muhammad Shaban Jagason, Edson Agondeze, John Byamukama, Benjamin Nyakoojo
Match officials:
- Center Referee: Asadu Ssemeere
- 1st Assistant Referee: Ronald Katenya
- 2nd Assistant Referee: Brianson Musisi
- 4th Official: Shamirah Nabadda
- Referee assessor: Ali Waiswa Kalibala
Was a well managed match