Overview:
The top three dominate the XI with Villa, having the most numbers but there is well deserved recognition of 2025/26 campaign’s surprise packages, Entebbe UPPC.
The end of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League season is upon us, with the final round of games set to be played on Saturday.
Champions Vipers, defending their title for a second season in a row will be crowned at their home as they take on Express FC, a side they have overtaken.
Shockingly, it is not Vipers with the most players on the team and that explains how abysmal they have been in terms of individual performances.
The top three dominate the XI with Villa, having the most numbers but there is well deserved recognition of 2025/26 campaign’s surprise packages, Entebbe UPPC.
GK: David Lukwago (SC VILLA)
The youngster has enjoyed a very excellent debut season in the premier league keeping over 15 clean sheets.
Lukwago arrived at Villa as a third choice but immediately took over from Brady Wokorach and Norman Agufindiru and has not disappointed.
The young custodian has been labelled the best in the country by his coach.
Tough choice after Vipers’ Denis Kiggundu, Entebbe UPPC’s Rogers Omedwa, Meddie Kibirige (Kitara) and NEC’s Hannington Ssebwalunyo but Lukwago gets my nod.
RB: Jonathan Odong (Entebbe UPPC)
In a country devoid of decent right backs, Odongo has been exceptional manning that right side of defence.
Defensively sold and offensively viable and has weighed in with four assists from his crosses.
SC Villa skipper David Owori comes closest in the contest in terms of consistency.
LB: Herbert Achai (KCCA)
Five assists and as many goals from his defensive position gives him a nod ahead of the more exciting Simon Kato Ssemayange (Villa) and Vipers’ youngster Enock Luyima.
The KCCA captain, despite failing to end a trophy drought at Lugogo has had a brilliant individual campaign.
CB: Barasa Mangoli (SC VILLA)
The young defender, nominated for Young Player of the Year award makes you think defending is easy.
Barasa’s game reading, intelligence on and off the ball, aerial superiority and ability to initiate attack from his centre back position makes him standout.
CB: Kevin Bady Dasylva (VIPERS)
Not many defenders would bench Rogers Torach but he has done so, the entire campaign and deservedly.
The Congolese import is calm under pressure but also aggressively defends against any type of opponent.
DM: Isa Bugembe (Entebbe UPPC)
The ex-Vipers youngster has been a revelation in his new role under Abdallah Mubiru.
The play-maker was converted into a ball playing defensive player and it has worked out brilliantly for him and the club.
Statistically, he has ranks high amongst players who have won more possession and also scored three goals from his position. In simple terms, he made the Printers’s playing style complete.
Kitara’s Yunus Sibira comes close in contest for work done with the Royals.
CAM: Karim Watambala (VIPERS)
The beating heart of Vipers’ midfield, Watambala plays with an intensity that few other players in the UPL can match.
He never just never stops hassling and harrying opponents, while he also stepped up with some big goals during the run-in filling the void left by Allan Okello.
The midfielder is so far Vipers’ leading goal scorer with 11 to his name, just two behind the leading marks man, Ahimbisibwe and boosts of 4 assists as well.
CAM: Najib Yiga (SC VILLA)
Many fans may not realise Najib Yiga’s importance but he is actually one of the most important players in the Villa set up.
What Watambala has done for Vipers, Yiga has equally done for the Jogoos and boosts of 7 goals and 5 assists.
A willing work who has played in attack, defence as left back and covers every blade of grass on the pitch.
CF: Ivan Ahimbisibwe (KCCA)
This has been a tough choice with competition from Villa’s Frank Ssebuufu who has nine goals and five assists as well as premier league debutant Ambrose Kigozi of Entebbe UPPC.
However, my choice for Ahimbisibwe stems from the fact that he leads the goal scoring charts and plays in a team that literally don’t create much for him.
LW: Hassan Mubiru (SC VILLA)
I have had to put Mubiru on the left flank rather than the right in order to squeeze him into my all-star selection, but there was just no way we could leave out a player who put Villa in with inches of winning the league.
Statistically, 4 goals and 4 assists may not be encouraging but the forward does more than scoring or assisting.
He entertains with purpose, can cross, shoot, create goals and if he can help the Jogoos claim the Uganda Cup, no way he doesn’t get summoned to Uganda Cranes in the next window.
RW: Usama Arafat (VIPERS SC)
Arguably the signing of the season. Usama has been excellent for the champions, scoring important goals (10) and assists (5) so far.
He could actually be the difference between his current and former club in terms of lifting the trophy this season.
HEAD COACH: Zeljko Kovacevic (SC VILLA)
There is no doubt that Villa plays the most entertaining game in the premier league and this entirely down to their Serbian tactician, Zeljko Kovacevic.
To me, he is the difference between Villa competing for the title and middle positions on the table.
He has improved almost all players in the Villa squad and had decisions in the Express and Police game not gone against his side, who knows, maybe he would be celebrating a championship.
Abdallah Mubiru comes closely into the picture for assembling a new squad at a newly promoted side and perform the way they did.
