- Uganda Premier League 2026/27
- Vipers 2-0 Lugazi
Vipers Sports Club returned to winning ways after a grey spell of unconvincing displays with a narrow 1-0 home victory over Lugazi during a Uganda Premier League contest at the St Mary’s Stadium on Thursday, 5th November.
Defender Princewill Birewibo Tarabina and teenager Abubakali Walusimbi scored the two goals on the evening under floodlights.
The hosts commenced the game at a high tempo with two successive corner kicks well defended by Lugazi inside the first ten minutes.
Abdul-Karim Watambala shot wide from inside the goal area in the 16th minute.
Midfielder Abubakali Walusimbi, having a rare start in the game, had a weak shot picked up by goalkeeper Tonny Kyamera after 25 minutes.
Moments later, FIFA Referee Dick Okello waved off a penalty cry from Arafat Usama for a seemingly easy fall in the goal area.
On the half-hour mark, goalkeeper Kyamera reacted quicker off the line to thwart Congolese forward Gusto Mulongo during a one-against-one incident.
The goalkeeper needed a few minutes to get back to his feet after medication.
Moments after the restart, defender Livingstone Mulondo, a former Vipers player, was well positioned to brush off a dangerously delivered throw-in from Tarabina with Milton Karisa waiting at the back post.
With six minutes to the climax of the opening stanza, it was Kyamera again to hail, stopping a weak Watambala shot from 25 yards.
It was Watambala again with a ground shot well collected by Kyamera in the 43rd minute.
Walusimbi had the final attempt at goal in the opening half with a well-curled free-kick from 30 yards out well collected by goalkeeper Kyamera.
Upon restart of the second half, Vipers made a change. Forward Kenneth Kimera replaced skipper Milton Karisa, who had a silent evening under the floodlights for the opening 45 minutes.
Watambala shot a free-kick narrowly wide, and Usama had a wild shot inside the first five minutes of the second half.
Lugazi’s first change came in the 55th minute with Adam Mutesasiira replacing Rashid Kawawa.
Usama headed out a cross by Watambala on the right in the 58th minute.
On 60 minutes, Lugazi’s forward Cromwell Rwothomio had a chance to tap Frank Mulimi’s cross on the right, but the effort went out of the goal frame.
Mulimi and substitute Mutesasiira were booked in quick succession for dangerous play.
Lugazi left back Alex Akankwasa shot over a free-kick from 40 yards in the 65th minute.
Inside the final 20 minutes, Vipers made a double change. Farouk Miya and Yunus Sentamu were introduced for Gusto Mulongo and Watambala respectively.
The visitors rested a lively Moses Buga for Alvin Birungi in the 75th minute.
Vipers hit the upright with Kenneth Kimera’s header off Usama’s inviting cross on the right flank in the 77th minute.
The pressure eventually paid off when defender Birewibo Tarabina volleyed home from inside the goal area following a goal melee with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Francis Onekalit and Dickson Matama were introduced for John Kokas and Amos Etoju respectively.
With victory in sight, Usama came out for defensive midfielder Joseph Marvin Youngman inside the final five minutes.
Walusimbi struck from distance with a low drive that eluded goalkeeper Kyamera to double the Venoms’ lead.
Inside the four added minutes, Jacques Mangoba replaced Nicholas Mwere for Vipers.
This is Vipers’ fourth victory in 9 outings as they now have 14 points, in 7th place.
Lugazi consequently suffered the 6th defeat in 10 matches, staying with 8 points in 13th position on the 18-team log.
Team Line Ups:
Vipers XI: Mbaba (G.K), Ashraf Mandela, Nicholas Mwere, Tarabina, Da Sylva, Joel Sserunjogi, Abdul-Karim Watambala, Milton Karisa (Captain), Abu-bakari Walusimbi, Arafat Usama, Gusto Mulongo
Subs: Derrick Kiggundu (G.K), Jack Komakech (G.K), Yunus Junior Sentamu, Patrick Paul Mbowa, Hilary Mukundane, Amoura Munogera, Marvin Joseph Youngman, Farouk Kimera, Kenneth Kimera
Head coach: John “Ayala” Luyinda
Lugazi XI: Tonny Kyamera (G.K), Frank Mulimi, Alex Akankwasa, Livingstone Mulondo, Richard Ayiko (Captain), Hamza Mulambuzi, John Kokas, Amos Etoju, Rashid Kawawa, Moses Buga, Cromwell Rwothomio
Subs: Jeremy Matata, Francis Onekalit, Allan Batali, Musa Ssali, Yusuf Mafabi, Alvin Birungi, Adam Mutesaasira, Jamaldine Buchochera, Emmanuel Munoobi, Umar Kyebatala, Dickson Mataama
Head coach: Abbey Bogere Kikomeko
Match Officials:
- Referee: Dick Okello
- Assistant Referee 1: Mustafa Mafumu
- Assistant Referee 2: Samuel Mbabali
- Fourth official: Arafat Yasir
- Coordinator: Yenka Daniel
- Referee Assessor: Elly John Kakooza
