Kitara edge SC Villa to earn second Uganda Cup title

52nd Stanbic Uganda Cup (Final)

• Kitara 2-1 SC Villa

Individual Accolades:

• MVP: Gadafi Wahab (Kitara)
• Best Midfielder: Gadafi Wahab (Kitara)
• Best Goalkeeper: Meddie Kibirige (Kitara)
• Top scorer: George Senkaaba (Kitara)
• Best Defender: David Owori (SC Villa)

Kitara Football Club deservedly earned their second title in the Stanbic Uganda Cup competition.

This followed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sports Club Villa in the final played at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Saturday, 30th May 2026.

Missi Diego Ssemugera (SC Villa own goal) and Jimmy Kalema’s second half strike propelled the Royals to the much-needed victory played before a huge passionate crowd.

Kitara forward Patrick Henry Kaddu scored an own goal for SC Villa’s consolation on the sunny afternoon.

The two unfortunate own goals put the half time score line at 1-goal apiece by the break.

It was a brilliant start for Kitara who scored their second goal on the evening through Jimmy Kalema’s well struck ball out-side the goal area in the 47th minute.

Five minutes later, Kalema recorded another shot on target. Ten minutes into the second half, SC Villa called for their first change in the game.

Isaac Mpagi Kajubi replaced a rather silent Najib Yiga.

George Ssenkaaba set up Kalema who shot on target on 56 minutes.

Two minutes later, the Jogoos’ left back Simon Kato Ssemayange had a cross well tamed by goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige

On the hour mark, the Jogoos made a triple change.

Charles Lwanga replaced Aslam Ssemakula, Arnold Odongo came on for Simon Kato Ssemayange and Geofrey Ggaganga was introduced for Patrick Jonah Kakande.

Meanwhile, Kitara rested the largely industrious Gadafi Wahab for the impressive Emmanuel Alex Wasswa.

With twenty minutes left on the clock; SC Villa rested captain David Owori for Andrew Otim with the former handing over the treasured captain’s arm band to Odongo.

 Kitara made a precautious double change with six minutes to play; introducing Muhammed Shaban for George Senkaaba and defender Benjamin Nyakoojo who replaced Tumwesigye.

The Royals defended well for the rest of the game to win the match, sparking off wild celebrations.

“This was a great victory that we worked for as a team. I thank the rest of my teammates, management and fans” Baguma, the Kitara captain remarked.

This is the second title for Kitara after their 2023/24 triumph at the Muteesa II Wankulukuku stadium over NEC.

Kitara thus earns the ticket to represent Uganda once again at the CAF Confederation Cup.

We congratulate today’s champions and wish them success as they prepare to represent Uganda on the continental stage. Their achievement is a reminder of the talent that exists within our football ecosystem. Through TWAAKE, our commitment extends beyond sponsoring competitions. We are investing in platforms that give players opportunities, inspire young people and strengthen communities. Our long-term vision is to continue supporting sports development across Uganda while creating deeper engagement between fans, teams and the communities they represent.

Benjamin Bicung, Marketing Coordinator, Kansai Plascon

Individual awards:

Kitara Football Club also had a clean sweep of the individual awards presented at the climax of the tournament.

Gaddafi Wahab won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and best midfielder accolades.

George Senakaaba finished as top scorer with four goals to take the golden boot.

Meddie Kibirige earned the golden gloves award and SC Villa’s David Owori was best defender.

Plascon Uganda also rewarded individual performers with 50-inch Smart TVs.

Team Line ups:

Kitara XI: Meddie Kibirige (G.K), Musisi, Jasper Aheebwa Baguma (Captain), Isa Lumu, Murushid Juuko, Yunus Sibira, Frank Tumwesigye, Gadafi Wahab, Patrick Henry Kaddu, George Senkaaba, Jimmy Kalema

Subs: Aziz, Samuel Kato Nemeyimana, Benjamin Nyakojo, John Byamukama, Amir Kakomo, Alex Emmanuel Wasswa, Isaac Doka Mweru, Chrispus Asiki, Muhammed Ssenoga, Byaruhanga, Ssebandeke, Muhammed Shaban

Sports Club Villa XI: David Lukwago (G.K), David Owori (Captain), Simon Kato Ssemayange, Geofrey Lubangkene, Ramon Barasa Mangoli, Aslam Ssemakula, Missi Diego Ssemugera, Hassan Mubiru, Patrick Jonah Kakande, Frank Sebuufu, Najib Yiga

Subs: Braddy Wokorach (G.K), Elvis Ngonde, Frank Mulimi, Arnold Odong, Reagan Mpande, Bayo Ali Arshavin, Ibrahim Kasinde, Isaac Mpagi, Geofrey Gaganga, Andrew Otim, Andrew Okumu, Charles Lwanga

Stanbic Uganda Cup (All Winners, finals since 1971):

1971: Coffee SC               2-1 Army

1972-1975: competition suspended "due to rough play"

1976: Gangama United          0-0 Coffee SC   [4-2 pen]     

1977: Simba                   w/o Nytil FC

1978: Nsambya                 1-0 UCB

1979: KCC                     w/o UCB 

1980: KCC                     2-0 Maroons

1981: Coffee SC               1-1 UCB            [5-4 pen]

1982: KCC                     w/o Nile[Nile walked off in 75' at 1-0; KCC winners]

1983: SC Villa                1-0 KCC 

1984: KCC                     3-2 Coffee SC      

1985: Express                 3-1 KCC 

1986: SC Villa                2-0 Tobacco 

1987: KCC                     1-0 SC Villa 

1988: SC Villa                3-1 Express 

1989: SC Villa                4-2 Express 

1990: KCC                     3-0 SC Villa

1991: Express                 4-1 Nile 

Kakungulu Cup:

1992: Express                 1-0 Nile 

1993: KCC                     2-1 Dairy Heroes 

1994: Express                 0-0 KCC            [4-3 pen]

1995: Express                 2-0 Posta          [aet]

1996: UEB                     1-0 Nile

1997: Express                 4-1 UEB

1998: SC Villa                   2-0 Simba

1999: Dairy Heroes            0-0 Lyantonde FC   [3-0 pen]

2000: SC Villa                1-0 Military Police

2001: Express                 3-1 Villa

2002: SC Villa                   2-1 Express

2003: Express                 3-1 Police

2004: KCC                     1-1 Express        [aet, 3-2 pen]

2005: URA                     2-1 KCC

2006: Express                 2-0 Maji

2007: Express                 0-0 KCC            [aet, 4-2 pen]

2008: Victors                 1-0 Kinyara

2009: SC Villa                   2-1 URA

2010: Victors                 1-1 Simba          [aet, 5-4 pen]

Stanbic Uganda Cup:

2011: Simba                   2-1 URA

2012: URA                     1-0 Bunamwaya

2013: SCVU                    1-1 Vipers         [aet, 5-3 pen]

2014: URA                     2-2 KCCA           [aet, 4-2 pen]

2015: SC Villa                   3-0 KCCA

2016: Vipers                  3-1 Ondurapaka

2017: KCCA                    2-0 Paidha Black Angels

2018: KCCA                    1-0 Vipers      

2019: Proline                 1-1 Bright Stars   [5-4 pen (no extra time)]

2020: Abandoned due to COVID-19 Pandemic

2021: Vipers                  8-1 BUL

2022: BUL                     3-1 Vipers

2023: Vipers                  1-0 Police

2024: Kitara                  1-0 NEC

2025: Vipers                  2-0 KCCA         

2026: Kitara                  2-1 SC Villa