UPL: SC Villa stumble in Butema as Kitara claim victory to tighten title race

SC Villa endured a frustrating evening at Royals Park, Butema falling 0-2 to Kitara FC on Thursday in Matchday 26 of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (UPL).

The result sees the Jogoos drop valuable points in the title race, leaving them second on 51 points, now eight points behind league leaders Vipers SC.

It was a cagey start to the encounter, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances in the opening stages.

An early moment saw Mangoli Barasa bring down Patrick Kaddu in a promising area, but Ghadafi Wahab’s delivery was headed wide, setting the tone for a tightly contested first half.

As the game progressed, Villa began to find some rhythm. Around the midway point of the first half, Patrick Kakande showed intent with a clever run to beat his marker, forcing a corner.

However, the resulting delivery from skipper David Owori was not capitalized on, as Hassan Mubiru miscued his effort.

Kitara eventually broke the deadlock in the 29th minute through Kaddu, who punished Villa’s defensive lapse to give the hosts a deserved lead.

The setback disrupted Villa’s momentum, and matters worsened deep into first-half stoppage time when Yunus Sibira doubled Kitara’s advantage, handing the hosts a comfortable 2-0 cushion at the break.

In response, SC Villa made changes at the start of the second half, introducing fresh legs in a bid to turn the tide.

Despite the adjustments, clear opportunities remained scarce. Najib Yiga came close from a set-piece, but his free kick failed to trouble the Kitara defense.

Further substitutions followed as Villa searched for a breakthrough, but the hosts remained compact and disciplined at the back. A booking for Najib summed up a growing sense of frustration for the visitors.

Late in the game, Owori attempted to pull one back, but his effort drifted narrowly wide, encapsulating a difficult evening in front of goal for SC Villa.

With Kitara holding firm through the closing stages, the final whistle confirmed a 2-0 defeat for the visitors, one that could prove significant in the title run-in as the season edges closer to its climax.

3 valuable points secured at home.

Focus turns on Sunday’s Uganda Cup semi final first leg. pic.twitter.com/0IdJZ0C6Tn

— Kitara Football Club (The Royals) (@KitarafcHoima) April 30, 2026

Kitara now sit in second place on 54 points while Villa are in fourth place on 51 points.