The 2026/27 Uganda Premier League returns from the international break with a battle that could provide one of the competition’s most intriguing early answers; will Ntugasaze FC or Mbarara City finally register their first win of the campaign?
The two struggling sides meet on Wednesday, October 7, at 4 p.m. at the Kiira Road Police Arena in Kamwokya, with both desperate to kick-start seasons that have so far been defined by frustration in front of goal and a lack of victories.
The Brewers’ bruising introduction
For Ntugasaze, the encounter offers an opportunity to end a bruising introduction to top-flight football. The league newcomers, popularly known as The Brewers, have lost all four of their opening matches and sit bottom of the 18-team table with no points.
Their return to action comes after a lengthy international break pause, but the problems that plagued them before the break remain clear.
The Pius Ngabo-coached side have scored only twice while conceding 11 goals, leaving them with a damaging -9 goal difference. Their four results tell the story of a side still adjusting to the demands of the Premier League
● Matchday 1: Opened with a 1-0 defeat away to Blacks Power.
● Matchday 2: Suffered a 3-1 home loss to Maroons, with Ronald Kaye scoring Ntugasaze’s only goal in that game.
● Matchday 3: Beaten 4-1 by BUL FC, with Fahad Nsamba finding the net for the Brewers.
● Matchday 4: Vipers SC completed their miserable start with a 3-0 victory.
It leaves Ntugasaze with just two goals from four games, an attacking return that will need immediate improvement if they are to escape the foot of the table.
The Ankole Lions’ silent attack
Standing in their way is a Mbarara City side whose problems are almost the mirror image of their opponents. The Ankole Lions have played three matches, collecting two points from a possible nine to sit 15th, but unlike Ntugasaze, their major concern has been an attack that has yet to produce a single goal.
Mbarara City began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Police FC on August 29 before responding with back-to-back goalless draws:
● Held NEC FC to a 0-0 draw at Rwamwanja Stadium on September 11, frustrating NEC’s perfect start.
● Followed with another 0-0 stalemate against Entebbe UPPC FC on September 16.
Across those three matches, Mbarara have scored zero goals and conceded just one, collecting two points in the process. Their defensive organisation has therefore offered encouragement, but their inability to find the net has become an increasingly urgent concern.
That concern is particularly striking given the attacking reinforcements brought in during the off-season. Mbarara added forwards including Brian Aheebwa, Rogers Mugisha, Ivan Bogere and Solomon Okwalinga, yet the Ankole Lions are still searching for their first goal of the season.
Anatomy of the encounter
That makes Wednesday’s meeting more than just another early season fixture. For Ntugasaze, it is a chance to turn their first Premier League campaign around before the gap at the bottom becomes difficult to bridge. For Mbarara City, it is an opportunity to finally unlock an attack that has remained silent through three matches.
The contrasting numbers make the contest difficult to predict; Ntugasaze have managed to score twice but have been vulnerable defensively, while Mbarara City have proved stubborn at the back but have failed to score.
One side needs to tighten up. The other desperately needs to find a goal. And with both still searching for their first victory, Wednesday’s meeting could ultimately be decided by which team manages to solve its biggest weakness first.
Around the Grounds: Matchday Five Fixtures
Wednesday, October 7 | 4 p.m.
● Kataka FC Vs SC Villa – BCS Complex, Bukedea
● Kitara FC Vs Kigezi Home Boyz – Hoima City Stadium
● Maroons FC Vs Lugazi FC – Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku
● Ntugasaze Vs Mbarara City – Police Arena, Kira Road
Thursday, October 8 | 4 p.m.
● Blacks Power FC Vs Vipers SC – Hoima City Stadium
● NEC FC Vs Express FC – Phillip Omondi Stadium, Lugogo
● UPDF FC Vs BUL FC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo
Friday, October 9
● Entebbe UPPC Vs Police FC – Hamz Stadium | 5 p.m.
● URA FC Vs KCCA FC – Hamz Stadium | 8 p.m.