Uganda Premier League: Janjali condemns former side Bright Stars to relegation

Ronald Lusulire
May 6
2 min read

Bright Stars’ 12-year stay in the Uganda Premier League has come to a crushing end and it was one of their own who delivered the final blow.

Joseph Janjali scored a dramatic first-minute winner for UPDF FC against his former club at the Bombo Barracks Military Ground, condemning Soltilo Bright Stars to relegation after over a decade in the top flight.

Janjali, who once donned the Bright Stars jersey, latched onto a perfectly timed through ball from Emmanuel Ochen and calmly slotted home past Shamulan Kamya a goal that not only gave UPDF FC a 1-0 win but also marked the final nail in Bright Stars’ fading survival hopes.

Even with three games to spare, the result was enough to mathematically seal their fate. That’s because elsewhere, Mbarara City stunned Wakiso Giants 1-0 at the Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium stretching the gap between Bright Stars and safety to 10 points, with only 9 left to fight for.

Coming into the match, Bright Stars were in desperate need of all three points, but their atrocious away form now 32 league games without a win on the road once again haunted them. Their last away victory dates back to April 19, 2023 a slim 1-0 against Onduparaka.

Despite waves of pressure in the first half, the visitors were met by a resolute UPDF backline and the heroics of goalkeeper Richard Anyama. He kept out efforts from Innocent Kitimbo and Khamis Atari, while Noordin Bunjo struck the crossbar in Bright Stars’ most threatening moment.

The second half offered little promise for the visitors. Their only notable effort came from captain Nelson Ssenkatuka, who dragged a shot wide. UPDF, on the other hand, looked composed and nearly doubled their advantage, with Janjali’s curling free kick forcing a sharp save from Kamya, who later pulled off a brilliant double stop to deny both Janjali and Ochen.

The result lifted UPDF FC to 10th on the log with 36 points, while Bright Stars remain 15th with just 16 points. Their relegation ends a run that began back in 2013 and included notable highs like top-half finishes and an Uganda Cup final appearance in 2019.

Relegation Fight (3 matches remaining)

	Points
Mbarara City	26
Wakiso Giants	20
Bright Stars*	16
Mbale Heroes*	10

*Relegated to FUFA Big League confirmed