2026/27 Uganda Premier League | MD 5 | Wednesday October 7, 2026
● Ntugasaze FC 1-0 Mbarara City FC
● Kataka FC 1-1 SC Villa
● Maroons FC 3-0 Lugazi FC
● Kitara FC 1-0 Kigezi Homeboyz FC
At the Police Arena in Kira on Wednesday evening, Ntugasaze finally savored their first-ever victory in the Uganda Premier League, carving out a hard fought, momentous 1-0 triumph over Mbarara City.
At the heart of this milestone was Jacob Opar, whose clinical first half strike and Man of the Match performance delivered the breakthrough this ambitious newcomer club had been craving, lifting them to three points while leaving the Ankole Lions stuck on two and still searching for their first win of the season.
The contest began with a tense, cautious rhythm as both sides felt each other out during the opening exchanges. Mbarara City weathered an early scare in the sixth minute when striker Brian Aheebwa required treatment for a nosebleed, though he bravely returned to the action shortly after.
Physicality mounted as Ntugasaze’s Ian Amanya entered the referee’s notebook with a yellow card in the 19th minute. Then, in the 29th minute, the game found its turning point.
James Tekakwo orchestrated a brilliant setup, threading through for Jacob Opar, who made no mistake in breaking the deadlock. Opar’s composed finish gave the hosts a crucial 1-0 advantage, which they successfully carried into the halftime interval after two minutes of added time.
The visitors attempted a tactical reset at the restart, introducing Muhammad Kanyike to replace Aheebwa. However, the Ankole Lions found themselves continually frustrated by a disciplined Ntugasaze backline.
Tempers and challenges flared and Mbarara’s Mahadi Mugerwa was cautioned in the 47th minute, and teammate Fahad Nsamba had to leave the pitch for further treatment.
Ntugasaze turned to their bench in the 54th minute, swapping Tevin Kevin for Yassintah Sabir, while Mbarara responded by bringing on Fredrick Ayebare for Thomas Kakaire at the hour mark. As the physical intensity peaked, Ntugasaze’s Fredrick Junior picked up a yellow card in the 65th minute.
Hopes of a late Mbarara comeback were decisively extinguished in the 82nd minute. Defender Ambrose Arinda, already carrying an earlier caution, was shown a red card for serious foul play, compounding a frustrating evening for the visitors. Both managers utilized their remaining tactical changes in a flurry of late activity as Ntugasaze introduced Jerome Otim for Tekakwo and Arafat Kakonge for Johnson Odongo, while Mbarara countered by sending on Clinton Kamugisha for Ivan Bogere and Apollo Kagogwe for Joseph Kafumbe. When the final whistle blew, the hosts held firm to secure a clean sheet and three precious points.
Ntugasaze will now look to build on their breakthrough when they host KCCA FC back at the Police Arena on October 13, while Mbarara City look to bounce back sooner when they return to action on October 11 to host Blacks Power FC at Rwamanja.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Kataka drew 1-1 with SC Villa in Bukedea, where Ali Ssentamu’s opener for Kataka was canceled out by Najib Yiga’s second-half penalty.
At Hoima Stadium, Edwin Namaasa scored the only goal as Kitara edged Kigezi HomeBoyz 1-0, and Maroons produced the biggest result of the evening with a 3-0 victory over Lugazi FC, courtesy of goals from Fred Amaku, Dickson Niwamanya, and Mujahid Ogama.
The Uganda Premier League continues with a packed schedule ahead;
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.
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