The 2026/27 StarTimes Uganda Premier League gets underway this Friday August 28 when Entebbe UPPC make a short trip to champions Vipers.
There is a lot to look out for in the coming season but first, there are some players returning to the league after years plying their trade abroad.
Ismael Kiyonga looks at the key returning players and how much impact they could have on their particular teams and league in general.
Farouk Miya (Vipers)
When he joined Standard Liege in January 2016, he was arguably the hottest property in Ugandan football.
Having spent ten years abroad with stints in Belgium, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Ukraine, Greece and Turkey, he is back with Vipers where he won the league in 2014/15.
He has already showed glimpse of what he brings to the team with catch eyeing performances in the Kagame Cup and Fufa Super Cup and thus expected to have great impact on the Venoms team.
Besides the quality on the ball, he brings experience and leadership to the squad.
Ibrahim Kasule (KCCA)
Kasule had only played two full seasons when New York Red Bulls II came calling.
His time in the United States has seen him set a record for most goals at the club in MLS Next Pro League as he notched 28 goals in 64 appearances and over 30 in his combined time there including two while on loan at CT United.
By the time he left Wakiso Giants in 2023, he was the league’s best player without doubt as he scored and assisted for fun.
His return has already sent excitement across the KCCA Yellow Brigade with many believing he will take off from where he left.
He is now more mature, physically imposing and probably understands the game more. He brings goals and assists and how he performs will have a great impact on the KCCA season.
Fahad Bayo (NEC)
This is the second time he returns home after he completed his move to NEC less than two weeks ago.
First, he moved to Zambian side Buildcon in 2018 after leaving Proline but came back to join Vipers a season later scoring 12 goals in 23 league appearances.
Six years after leaving the Venoms in 2020, he has plied his trade in Ethiopia, Israel, Northern Macedonia and Czech Republic.
Unfortunately, his NEC debut in the Fufa Super 8 finale ended with an injury but when fit, he brings goals.
Ceaser Manzoki (Vipers)
Since leaving the Venoms after two very successful seasons with the Venoms in which he was also named the league’s best player in the last, Manzoki is back.
His stints in China, UAE, India and Hong Kong haven’t been as prolific but his return has already sent excitement through the Venoms fan base.
However, from the Kagame Cup and a few friendly matches, he doesn’t look the same player with fitness issues expected to limit his performances and was a no show when Vipers lifted the Super Cup on Saturday.
Brian Aheebwa (Mbarara City)
After one season away in Ethiopia, the former Kitara and KCCA striker is back at home and will have a second stint at Mbarara City.
Aheebwa was a prolific goal scorer at the Ankole Lions in the first spell netting over 32 league goals in 79 appearances and will be expected to do the same with the club now even more ambitious after securing a partnership with African Coffee Park.
Joel Mutakubwa (Kitara)
He was the Uganda Cranes CHAN goalkeeper in 2025 and after those heroics, he moved to Ethiopia where he has spent a season.
At the time of his departure, the ex-BUL, Express and Kyetume goalkeeper was the best in his position in the league but now back at Kitara, he has to prove his worth.
His performances in the Fufa Super 8 and Super Cup left a lot to be desired though.
Mathias Kigonya (Express)
Kigonya was unveiled by Express FC last week and that marks a return to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League for the goalkeeper after over 10 years plying his trade in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.
He left Soltilo Bright Stars after he impressed and earned a call up on the CHAN team in 2016 and kept goal in the defeat against Zambia in Kigali.
Despite his height, Kigonya was one of the best goalkeepers in the league ten years ago and returns probably even better with his experience and will be one of the leaders at Express FC.
Who of the above will make the greatest impact on the league?
