Uganda Premier League: SC Villa, KCCA FC and Express chase vital away wins

URA FC will welcome KCCA on Saturday. Photo Credit: Ronald Lusulire

Matchday 24 of the Startimes Uganda Premier League promises drama as traditional powerhouses SC Villa, KCCA and Express all head into crucial away fixtures, while BUL look to tighten the gap at the top with a home tie against Police.

The highlight fixture under the Nakivubo floodlights sees four-time champions URA hosting a wounded KCCA side desperate to bounce back. After suffering back-to-back defeats to Kitara and BUL, the Kasasiro Boys now 6th on the table face a URA side riding high on confidence.

Alex Isabirye’s charges have won three in a row and sit 4th with 39 points, having found form at a crucial point in the season. KCCA won the reverse fixture 1-0 at Lugogo and will need similar sharpness to hold off URA’s surging momentum.

BUL, in arguably the best form of any team in the second round, welcome Police to Njeru. The Jinja-based side edged KCCA 2-1 in their previous outing and sit 3rd with 42 points. They are now within striking distance of the summit and know that another victory could significantly heat up the title race. Police, however, aren’t pushovers, they arrive buoyed by a 2-0 win over Mbarara City and will want to play spoilers.

Meanwhile, reigning champions SC Villa travel west to face relegation-battling Mbarara City at Kakyeeka Stadium.

It’s been a bumpy ride on the road for the Jogoos, whose only away win came against Soltilo Bright Stars. They currently sit 8th with 33 points, and will look at this clash against the 13th-placed Ankole Lions (23 points) as a golden opportunity to rediscover form.

At the Mbale Municipal Stadium, seven-time champions Express seek to end a five-game winless streak when they face league strugglers Mbale Heroes. The Red Eagles earned a morale-boosting 2-2 draw against leaders Vipers last week and will hope to use that as a launchpad for revival. Mbale Heroes are rock bottom with just 10 points, but they’ve shown flashes of resilience at home and cannot be underestimated.

In Bombo, it’s a security forces derby as UPDF welcome Maroons. The army side, 10th with 29 points, are still not entirely safe and will be eager to put daylight between themselves and the drop zone. Maroons will equally be chasing a win after a frustrating 3-3 stalemate with Wakiso Giants, where they let a two-goal lead slip late in the second half.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Fixtures

BUL FC vs Police FC – FTC, Njeru, 4pm

Mbale Heroes FC vs Express FC – Mbale, 4pm

Mbarara City FC vs SC Villa – Kakyeeka, 4pm

UPDF FCvs Maroons FC– Bombo, 4pm

URA FC vs KCCA FC – Nakivubo, 7pm

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Vipers SC vs NEC – Kitende, 7pm