The StarTimes Uganda Premier League takes an extended international break with focus now on the Uganda Cranes who start their campaign in the Pamoja 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
Four match days have been played so far save for Kitara and Vipers who had continental duties and here is what we have learnt so far from the opening weeks of the season.
Vipers are not invincible
Premier League champions Vipers finished last season ‘unbeaten’ on the pitch and many thought, they were unbeaten heading into the new campaign given their transfer business that saw them re-sign Ceaser Manzoki and Farouk Miya among others.
However, a few days after lifting the Super Cup at Hamz stadium, Nakivubo, they were stunned by Entebbe UPPC at home in a 1-0 defeat.
It was their first home defeat since losing 1-0 to KCCA in 2024 and it was a dominant performance from the Printers who could have scored more had Ibrahim Orit been clinical.
Though they bounced back with a 3-0 win over league newcomers Ntugasaze, that defeat showed that they are Invincibles and many sides will fancy their chances against the Venoms.
BUL, NEC and Villa hit the ground running
NEC were expected to hit the ground running given their Fufa Super 8 performances but I doubt many expected BUL and SC Villa to do the same given the time of business in the transfer market.
Stunningly, BUL who let go of over eleven senior players are still perfect with 4 wins in 4 while Villa and NEC follow closely with 10 points out of 12.
BUL have had friendly fixtures playing three of the four promoted teams but that doesn’t take anything away from them although Villa (Kitara, URA, Express and Kigezi) and NEC (KCCA, Lugazi, Mbarara & URA) have had tougher tests.
Can they replicate same after the international break? Tougher tasks await.
Blacks Power are no pushovers, other newcomers struggling
The league promoted sides have struggling to impress so far with Ntugasaze, Kigezi Home Boyz and Kataka winless so far.
From the look of things, it will be hard for them to survive immediate dropping back to the Fufa Big League.
However, Blacks Power, returning to the top tier for the second time in over three seasons have impressed with three wins out of four matches suffering one defeat, to table leaders BUL only.
Simon Peter Mugerwa’s men are doing fantastic so far despite hosting matches away from home in Hoima City and if they maintain same form, they will surely stay up.
False KCCA start puts Ssenyondo under pressure
KCCA won the Super 8 tournament with some entertaining football and they were expected to hit the ground running when the league began.
However, one win, against lowly ranked Kataka so far in four matches has left them a whopping eight points behind early pace setters.
They go into the international break on the back of a 1-0 win over Kataka that left many fans unhappy but for Ssenyondo, a win and goal were relief to the players and one they can build on.
“The break has come at a right time,” Ssenyondo said after the last match.
Next on menu for the 13-time champions will be a short trip to Hamz stadium, Nakivubo where fellow underachievers URA are the opponents.
Could the shock return of last season’s top scorer Ivan Ahimbisibwe spark the club’s fortunes? We wait.
No quick fixes at URA but it is working for Lugazi
Following their worst finish in the league last season, URA made changes at the helm with Jimmy Kintu Mwera taking over as the head coach.
He was supported in the market by giving him the players he had worked with at Express and impressed including midfielders Marvin Nyanzi, Mikdad Ssenyonga and goalkeeper Hafiz among others.
Despite so, the results have so been disappointing with one win (2-1 over Maroons) and two defeats to SC Villa (1-0) and NEC (4-1).
The quick fix at the four-time champions don’t seem to work wonders but it is quite different at Lugazi where Abbey Kikomeko came in with more than a dozen new faces.
Lugazi have won two and lost as many and from the look of things, this could be a different season where they could be middle team status than fighting to stay up.
Express impress despite tough fixture
New secretariat, new coaching staff and new playing staff is what can describe Express FC.
Nevertheless, the start to the new season appears moderately good despite a huge tasking fixture in which they have played BUL, KCCA, SC Villa and Kitara.
Four points out a possible 12 is not as decent but it is the performances that have left the Red Eagles faithful hopeful.
They face NEC next after the international break on October 8 at MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo.
Entebbe UPPC and Police continue to impress
Police and Entebbe UPPC have to continued to impress this season building on what they achieved last season when they finished in the top eight.
Abdallah Mubiru’s men started the campaign with a stunning 1-0 over champions Vipers at Kitende, then came from behind to beat UPDF 2-1 before a shock loss to Lugazi and then drawing goalless away to Mbarara City.
Seven points on the table, seven behind leaders and exciting performances in all matches leaves the Printers in pole position to maintain their top 8th finish as per last season.
Meanwhile, on same points tally is 2005 league champions Police who despite losing talisman James Brian Obedi and midfield gem Rayan Figo Kizito have impressed with one shock loss to Blacks Power in four matches [W2, D1].
Kitara, Maroons, UPDF and Mbarara City need to step up
Kitara are winless in two matches but unbeaten as well but being one of the favourites to lift the premier league trophy this season, they should have done better.
The Royals are one of the five sides yet to win a league game this season and their next opponents, Kigezi Home Boyz also desperately need to put something in the ‘W’ column on the table.
Kitara’s performances and results have come against bigger opponents (Villa and Express) which is promising but what about Maroons, UPDF and Mbarara City?
True, UPDF and Maroons have won a game this season but the performances have to improve if they are to avoid being into the relegation wars this campaign.
And with four teams going down this season, one of UPDF, Maroons and Mbarara City could find themselves in the bottom tier next season if they don’t improve immediately after the international break.
MATCH DAY FIXTURES
Wednesday October 7, 2026
- Kataka vs SC Villa – Bukedea
- Kitara vs Kigezi Home Boyz – Hoima City stadium
- Maroons vs Lugazi – Wankulukuku
- Ntugasaze vs Mbarara City – Kamwokya
Thursday October 8, 2026
- Blacks Power vs Vipers – Hoima City stadium
- NEC vs Express FC – Lugogo
- UPDF vs BUL – Nakivubo
Friday October 9, 2026
- Entebbe UPPC vs Police – Nakivubo
- URA vs KCCA – Lugogo
