At this stage last season, chaos over the league format overshadowed the league kick off but the environment is different this time around as the 2026/27 season gets underway on Friday.
Vipers won last season’s title unbeaten on the pitch with their only defeat coming in the boardroom for that dishonored match day one clash against Kitara.
A lot has changed at the Venoms since then with several players leaving, new faces arriving and a new head coach in French man Denis Lavagne taking over from Jacky Minnaert.
It was the first time in history that Vipers defended a league title. Can they emulate SC Villa who have won three and more in succession by retaining the league? We wait to see but it looks like the challenge will be tougher.
KCCA want to end a seven-year drought, SC Villa want to extend their dominance, Kitara wants to build on last season’s Stanbic Uganda Cup triumph – their second in three seasons while NEC are thirsty for any trophy.
Morley Byekwaso who has won titles as assistant coach at both Villa and KCCA takes over at Express who are reborn following the appointment of new CEO and will surely target a better showing than last season.
We tasked Kawowo Sports staff including pundits, photographers, editors, reporters and casual employees to pick their champion.
Defending champions Vipers SC got the most votes (14) followed by KCCA (6) and SC Villa (2) while outside of three, only NEC got a vote with Kitara, Express and URA overlooked.
Summary of predictions for the 2026/27
| Predictor’s Name | Predicted Champions |
| Ismael Kiyonga | KCCA FC |
| Denis Musali | KCCA FC |
| Fred Darius | Vipers SC |
| Edwin Kyle Kuule | Vipers SC |
| Gerald K. Norman | Vipers SC |
| Joel Muyita | NEC FC |
| Johua Lubanga | Vipers SC |
| Frankline Kaweru | KCCA FC |
| Solomon Mwesigwa | SC Villa |
| Mike Muhima | Vipers SC |
| Joseph Maani | Vipers SC |
| Joseph Owino | Vipers SC |
| Sharifah Namagooba | KCCA FC |
| Samuel Okiria | SC Villa |
| Javira Ssebwami | Vipers SC |
| Arnold Nkalubo | Vipers SC |
| John Batanudde | Vipers SC |
| Don Phillip Mugabi | KCCA FC |
| David Isabirye | KCCA FC |
| Benjamin Musasizi | Vipers SC |
| Viola Namulwa | Vipers SC |
| Raymond Kagoda | SC Villa |
| Ruth Owino | Vipers SC |
| Joy Kemigisa | Vipers SC |
