Uganda Premier League: BUL stall Vipers’ title party as UPL serves up goal-filled Saturday

Photo: BUL FC Media

The StarTimes Uganda Premier League title race remains alive after BUL SC delayed Vipers SC’s coronation with a dramatic 1-0 victory on a Saturday that delivered 22 goals across seven matches.

Reagan Kalyowa struck deep into added time at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru to snatch all three points for BUL, condemning Vipers to only their third defeat of the season and keeping the champagne corked—for now.

Coach John Luyinda’s side had come into the weekend needing just a win to seal their seventh league title, after a thumping 6-0 victory over Mbale Heroes earlier in the week and a helping hand from NEC, who dropped points. But BUL, registering their 14th win of the campaign, had other ideas. The result lifted them to third place on 53 points.

Vipers remain top on 65 points, but NEC’s ruthless 5-1 dismantling of already-relegated Soltilo Bright Stars kept the race mathematically open. NEC, in second on 61 points, still hope for a twist in the final two rounds.

At Kavumba, NEC were in no mood to ease up. Emmanuel Ajo scored twice, while Cromwell Rwothomio converted an early penalty and was joined on the scoresheet by Emmanuel Kulanga and James Jarieko. Bright Stars managed a consolation through Shafik Kakande, but it did little to soften their 18th defeat of the campaign.

Elsewhere, it was a day of emphatic wins. KCCA FC and URA FC both hit five without reply, crushing Wakiso Giants and Express FC respectively.

At Lugogo, Ashiraf Mugume opened the floodgates for KCCA with a 20th-minute penalty before Joao Gabriel, Umaru Lutalo, Bright Anukani, and Gatbel Yian all struck after halftime. KCCA’s 12th win moved them up to fifth on 44 points, while Wakiso Giants were officially relegated, stranded on 20 points with just two games to go.

URA forward Ivan Ahimbisibwe stole the show at Nakivubo Stadium, bagging a brilliant hat-trick in their 5-0 demolition of Express. Norman Namanya and Faizo Matovu added the others in a commanding display that moved URA to fourth on 49 points. Express, meanwhile, suffered their 11th defeat of the season and sit ninth on 39 points.

In Mbale, Sam Ssekamate fired UPDF to a 3-0 victory over the already-doomed Mbale Heroes, scoring all three goals to lift his side to 10th on 39 points. Mbale Heroes remain rock bottom on just 10 points.

Kitara FC edged Maroons 1-0 in Hoima thanks to Titus Ssematimba’s goal, earning their 11th win of the season and climbing to sixth on 41 points. Maroons, in seventh, are just a point behind.

Mbarara City also claimed a crucial 1-0 win at home to Lugazi, with Paul Busolo netting the winner. The three points moved Mbarara to 12th on 29 points, securing their safety, while Lugazi are 11th with 31.

Matchday 28 wraps up on Sunday when Police FC host SC Villa.

League Table

	GP	Points
Vipers SC	28	65
NEC FC	28	61
BUL FC	28	53
URA FC	28	49
KCCA	28	44
Kitara FC	28	41
Maroons	28	40
Express FC	28	39
SC Villa	27	39
UPDF	28	39
Lugazi	28	31
Police FC	27	30
Mbarara City	28	29
Wakiso Giants- X	28	20
Bright Stars- X	28	16
Mbale Heroes- X	28	10

• Wakiso Giants, Bright Stars and Mbale Heroes will be relegated to the FUFA Big League.

• The league champion qualifies for the 2025-26 CAF Champions League.

• The league runner-up qualifies for the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup.