- Uganda Premier League 2025-26 | Matchday 27
- Kitara 0-1 NEC
NEC Football Club registered a 1-0 win over Kitara on Matchday 27 of the 2025-26 StarTimes Uganda Premier League at the Royal Park Butema in Hoima.
Richard Basangwa scored the all-important goal for the visitors, a result that dampens Kitara’s title hopes at the final bend of the season.
Basangwa, returning to the fold after a threatening concussion suffered in the contest against Express at Hamz Stadium, nodded home in the 50th minute.
This followed a poorly headed clearance from Benjamin Nyakoojo following a goal melee after an initial free kick by Hakim Wandera.
Before the goal, NEC had posed the early questions, including a goal-line clearance by defender Samuel Kato Nemeyimana off Joseph Dhata from close range after debutant goalkeeper Saleh Azizi was already beaten.
Kitara had an opportunity to equalise on the hour mark, but the visitors’ goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo was well stationed to thwart a one-on-one chance by Jimmy Kalema inside the goal area.
With a quarter of an hour to play, NEC’s James Jarieko had a goal cancelled after he was flagged for being in an offside position.
NEC now has 50 points with their 13th victory of the campaign in 27 outings as they consolidate 5th place.
Kitara suffered a heartbreaking 5th defeat of the season, leaving them on 54 points in the third position, 6 points shy of the leaders, Vipers.
Three matches remain before the climax of the season for each of the 16 clubs in the box.
Two clubs will be relegated to the FUFA Big League.
Kitara XI: Saleh Aziz (G.K), Musisi, Jasper Ahebwa Baguma (Captain), Kato Samuel Nemeyimana, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Hussein Ssenoga, Yunus Sibira, Gaddafi Wahabu, Jimmy Kalema, Edson Agondeze
Subs: James Alitho (G.K), John Byamukama, Isa Lumu Muzeeyi, Amir Kakomo, Mweru Doka, Emmanuel Alex Wasswa, Frank Zagga Tumwesigye, Asiki, John Byaruhanga, Living Kabon, Muhammed Shaban, George Senkaaba
Head coach: Wasswa Bbosa
NEC XI: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (G.K), Musa Ibrahim, Hakim Wandera, Patrick Bayiga, Ibrahim Kiyemba, John Seremba, Ramza Kawooya, Tonny Atukunda, Joseph Dhata, Richard Basangwa, Marvin Kavuma (Captain)
Subs: Samson Kiirya (G.K), Mutebi, Allan Mugalu, Muzamiru Mutyaba, James Jarieko, Hudson Mbalire, Sentamu Siraje, Innocent Ronald Media, Pius Obuya, Samuel Ssekamatte Kayongo, Muhammed Senoga Kagawa
Head coach: Badru Kaddu
