2026/27 Uganda Premier League| MD 5 | Thursday October 8, 2026
● NEC FC 0-0 Express FC
The Phillip Omondi Stadium played host to a gripping tactical battle on Thursday evening as NEC and Express shared the spoils following a fiercely contested, goalless draw in the Uganda Premier League.
The tone was set long before kick-off. Express arrived to the vibrant sounds of their supporters in full voice, singing the Buganda anthem as players exchanged traditional pre-match greetings. Yet, that lively atmosphere failed to translate into the goals the passionate crowd had desperately hoped for.
Action sparked mere seconds after referee Joseph Masembe blew the opening whistle when NEC goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya collided with Enrique Lubwama. Lubwama hit the turf before recovering to continue.
NEC carved out the game’s first real opening in the 11th minute. Allan Mugalu rose completely unmarked to meet Gideon Odongo’s corner, unleashing a well-struck free header that forced Kigonya into a sharp reflex save.
Seven minutes later, a high-pressing Express answered back. Isaac Wagoina found himself through on goal, but his heavy first touch allowed NEC custodian Hannington Ssebwalunyo to race off his line and smother the danger.
By the 25th minute, Express began dictating terms through sleek, patient passing, though turning that possession into clear-cut openings proved difficult, all while Mugalu continuously troubled the Express rearguard whenever he touched the ball.
Tension mounted four minutes past the half-hour mark when Wagoina delivered a pinpoint cross from the right to Abas Muluya, who sent his volley sailing over the crossbar. Express mounted another slick move six minutes before the break, orchestrating a gorgeous passing sequence involving Alpha Ssali, Moses Sseruyide, Anas Muluya, and Steven Yiga. Yiga cut inside from the right onto his left foot and fired, but Ssebwalunyo was alert to palm it away.
As the half wound down, NEC were forced onto the back foot. Express peppered the goal with long-range efforts from Lubwama and deep crosses from Musa Ibrahim. NEC responded when Richard Basangwa unleashed a thunderous long-range strike, only for Kigonya to punch it out for a corner, which Odongo delivered to no avail.
In added time, a frustrated Mugalu brought down Onzima near the right of the centre line, earning a yellow card. A brief delay followed due to an injury to Andy Kyambadde before the scoreless first half drew to a close.
The second half opened with a faster tempo, and NEC immediately stamped their intent. Kigonya produced a stunning acrobatic save to deny Mugalu, who attempted a brilliant bicycle kick inside the box. Despite NEC’s efforts to drive forward, whenever the ball fell to Lubwama, Express executed their defensive assignments flawlessly to close him down.
Just two minutes after the restart, NEC earned a dangerous attacking free-kick. Odongo curled a delivery onto the head of James Jarieko, but his header floated over the bar.
Both managers turned to their benches to shift momentum. NEC made their first change in the 57th minute, introducing Ronald Media for Emmanuel Ajo.
Express countered a minute later as Aaron Stuart Mutebi replaced Issa Glory Kisuule, followed quickly by Nicholas Jjonga taking over from Alpha Thiery Ssali in the 60th minute.
Past the hour mark, the deadlock remained intact at 0-0, largely thanks to Express defender Duncan Sseninde, who kept Basangwa tightly marked. Express then squandered a glorious chance: following a peach of a delivery from Yiga, an unmarked Abas Muluya found himself alone in front of goal between Mujuzi and Buule, only to fluff his lines.
NEC introduced Fahad Bayo for Lubwama in the 66th minute. Play swung end-to-end; Sseruyide displayed exceptional skill in the 72nd minute before sliding a ground pass to Mutebi. Mutebi pushed it wide for Onzima, whose cross found Wagoina in the area, but Buule intervened with a crucial block, allowing Ssebwalunyo to easily collect the loose ball.
With 17 minutes remaining, Basangwa earned another free-kick for NEC in the attacking half, which amounted to nothing. Sseninde then picked out Jjonga, whose shot was swiftly blocked. Attempting to regain control through possession with 15 minutes left, NEC found Express’s defensive channels locked tight. Wagoina tested the waters with a low effort outside the box, but Muluya fired wide.
NEC made a double substitution in the 79th minute, injecting fresh legs via Pius Obuya and Marvin Kavuma in place of Basangwa and Jarieko. Onzima later engineered another promising delivery, but Wamala was flagged offside.
As frustration visibly grew among the home supporters, the traveling Express fans provided the only sustained noise around the stadium. Two minutes of stoppage time breathed new life into NEC. Obuya’s energetic movement revitalized their attack, forcing Express into late, desperate fouls around their penalty box. Yet, the decisive touch eluded both sides.
The final whistle confirmed a 0-0 stalemate. The result leaves NEC second in the league standings with 11 points, while Express sit 12th with five points.
Looking ahead, NEC will travel to face Kigezi HomeBoyz at Rwamwanja on October 14, while Express return home to host UPDF at Hamz Stadium a day later.
Elsewhere in the Uganda Premier League on Thursday at Hoima Stadium, Vipers thrashed Blacks Power 4-0. Gusto Mulongo netted a brace, Arafat Usama opened the scoring, and Milton Karisa capped off the victory with a second-half strike.
UPL action continues on Friday, October 9, Independence Day with a blockbuster double-header at Hamz Stadium: Entebbe UPPC face Police FC at 5 PM, followed by a heavyweight clash between URA and KCCA at 8 PM. On Saturday, October 10, UPDF will lock horns with BUL at Hamz Stadium at 4 PM.