SIZONI PAMOJA: Review of match day 8

Matchday 8 of Season Pamoja was completed over just two days, kicking off on Tuesday, 27th October 2026, with five fixtures before concluding a day later with three more. Of the nine scheduled fixtures, eight were played, while one was postponed.

The eight matches produced a combined tally of 19 goals, with home sides claiming four victories, the visitors registering one away win, and the remaining three fixtures ending in stalemates.

With the matchday now concluded, attention turns to the key talking points that defined the round.

Kitara missing in action

As highlighted earlier, the Matchday 9 fixture that was postponed was between Kitara FC and BUL FC. The decision perhaps came at a crucial time for the Royals, who had returned from their continental engagements less than 48 hours before the originally scheduled kick-off, leaving little room for recovery ahead of another competitive assignment.

The postponement takes Kitara’s tally of games in hand to four, presenting an intriguing situation on the league table. While some sides have already played eight matches, the Royals have featured in only four, leaving them significantly behind their competitors in terms of games played.

Although the postponements may have worked to Kitara’s advantage by creating more room to manage their continental commitments, the growing fixture backlog could eventually become a major challenge. Sooner or later, the Royals will have to navigate a congested schedule, and securing maximum points from all four games in hand will be no easy task.

That said, Kitara remain unbeaten, having registered two victories and two draws from their four league outings. They currently sit 10th on the table despite having played four matches fewer than the teams that have already completed eight fixtures.

Police, NEC run riot

Since suffering a humiliating 6–1 defeat to SC Villa, Police FC have responded positively, first grinding out a hard-fought goalless draw away to Vipers in Matchday 7 before registering a convincing 3–1 victory over league newcomers Kigezi HomeBoyz at the Kira Road Arena.

Rogers Kiwanuka gave the hosts an early advantage, but Boris Kwezi restored hope for the visitors by cancelling out the opener late in the first half. However, Jjemba Ramsey’s late brace settled the contest in Police’s favour, securing all three points as Kigezi HomeBoyz’ struggles continued. The result leaves Police in ninth position, while Kigezi remain rooted at the bottom of the table.

Elsewhere, NEC FC delivered an emphatic performance at Lugogo, dismantling Ntugasaze FC in a thrilling 5–1 comeback victory. The visitors struck first through Jerome Otim, but the Diehards responded in devastating fashion, with Ibrahim Musa, Fahad Bayo and Marvin Oshaba each finding the net while James Jarieko completed the rout with a brace.

The commanding victory underlined NEC’s attacking strength and further consolidated their position in third place on the league table, behind SC Villa and BUL FC.

New coaching beginnings: relief for URA, woe for Vipers

Heading into Matchday 8, both Vipers SC and URA FC were embarking on new chapters under fresh technical leadership. John Luyinda took charge at Vipers following the sacking of Dennis Lavagne, while Sam Ssimbwa made a return to URA, replacing Jimmy Kintu Mwera, whose tenure had been characterised by a disastrous start to the season.

For URA, the change in the dugout brought an immediate sigh of relief as life under their new gaffer began on a positive note. The Tax Collectors secured a narrow 1–0 away victory over UPDF FC at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, courtesy of Dennis Ssekitoleko’s own goal after he deflected Isma Mugulusi’s effort into his own net. Despite the crucial victory, URA remain in the relegation zone with just seven points from seven matches, highlighting the considerable work still ahead for Ssimbwa and his charges.

Vipers, meanwhile, endured a disappointing start to life under Luyinda, falling to a narrow 1–0 defeat against Mbarara City at Rwamwanja Stadium. Kacancu Gaddafi’s strike proved decisive, handing the Venoms another setback as they dropped to seventh place with 11 points.

For Mbarara City, the victory marked their second win of the campaign, lifting them to 12th position with eight points. While the result offered a timely boost for the Ankole Lions, Vipers will be left reflecting on a frustrating outing as their new technical era got off to an inauspicious start.

UPPC defensive wall

At Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, UPPC FC and Maroons FC played out a goalless stalemate. 

The contest underlined the defensive resilience of the Printers. The result extended their run to five consecutive matches without conceding a goal, making them the only side to achieve that feat during this period. Their growing defensive solidity continues to distinguish them as one of the league’s most difficult teams to break down.

Maroons, meanwhile, have also enjoyed a relatively impressive spell, extending their unbeaten run to four consecutive matches. Although neither side managed to find the breakthrough, both maintained their positive momentum.

On the league table, UPPC retained fourth position with 15 points, while Maroons climbed to eighth place on 11 points.

SC Villa fails another newbie test

SC Villa hosted Blacks Power at Mutesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku, but neither side managed to find the breakthrough as the contest ended in a goalless draw. Blacks Power’s shot-stopper— Emmanuel Odong was particularly outstanding, producing several crucial saves to frustrate the Jogoos and secure a valuable point for the visitors.

For SC Villa, the stalemate marked the second time this season they had failed to overcome a newly promoted side. The first instance came on Matchday 5, when the Jogoos were held to a 1–1 draw away to Kataka. The latest result will therefore serve as a reminder that newly promoted opposition cannot be taken lightly.

Despite dropping points, SC Villa remain second on the league table, while newcomers Blacks Power continue to make an encouraging impression, sitting sixth.

Express under pressure

Despite opening the season with considerable enthusiasm, Express FC have endured a difficult start to the campaign, managing just one victory so far, which came against KCCA FC on Matchday 2. Matchday 8 offered little respite for the Red Eagles, as they were held to a 2–2 draw in a contest that saw them fight back to salvage a point rather than claim the much-needed victory.

Herbert Asiimwe gave the hosts—Express the lead with a headed effort before Ali Ssentamu’s impressive solo run produced an equaliser. Richard Lampani then put the Visitors ahead towards the end of the first half, leaving Express with work to do after the break. However, the Red Eagles responded promptly, with Isaac Wagoina restoring parity at the start of the second half to make it 2–2. Neither side could find a decisive breakthrough thereafter, and the scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle.

The result leaves Express on seven points, just one place above the relegation zone. With victories proving increasingly elusive, pressure continues to mount on the Red Eagles as they seek to turn their season around.

Four in four for KCCA

KCCA FC snatched a dramatic late victory over Lugazi FC, securing a 2–1 home win in a contest that required a determined comeback to settle. Cromwell Rwothomio gave the visitors the lead before substitute Charles Lwanga restored parity for the Kasasiro Boys. With the match seemingly heading towards a stalemate, Sammy Ssebaduka rose to the occasion, heading home in the 91st minute to complete the comeback and seal all three points for the hosts.

The victory extended KCCA’s winning streak to four consecutive matches, marking an emphatic turnaround after their earlier struggles this season. The Kasasiro Boys have steadily regained momentum and now occupy fifth place on 13 points from seven matches.

Lugazi, meanwhile, remain 13th with eight points, having been denied a valuable result by KCCA’s late intervention.

BEST TEAM

Emmanuel Odong (Blacks power)

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Ibrahim Musa (NEC)

Tumwine Erick (Mbarara city)

Basoga Derrick (Maroons)

Ochungo Thomas (UPPC)

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Ian Amanya (Mbarara city)

Ivan Mayanja (Police)

Jjemba Ramsey (Police)

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Jarieko James (NEC)

Sammy Ssebaduka (KCCA)

Ali Ssentamu (Kataka)

Coach: Badru Kaddu (NEC)