Uganda Premier League: SC Villa roar back as Ssemujju, Otim outgun Maroons

A spark in the first half and a dagger at the death were all SC Villa needed to rediscover their edge on Thursday evening, dispatching Maroons FC 2–0 in a pulsating Matchday 17 contest of the Startimes Uganda Premier League.

Andrew Otim secured the win for Villa.#StarTimesUPL | #SCVMAR pic.twitter.com/GQnUVpocBj

— FUFA Tv (@fufatv1) February 19, 2026

The mood around FUFA Kadiba Stadium demanded a response, and Villa answered with authority.

After an energetic opening in which Maroons showed early intent forcing a corner and earning a booking for Najib Yiga, momentum gradually swung the hosts’ way. In the second minute, Frank Ssebufu brought the stadium to life, timing his run perfectly and finishing with composure to put the Jogoos ahead.

2′ | Villa 1-0 Maroons | Frank Ssebufu ⚽#StarTimesUPL | #SCVMAR pic.twitter.com/hYMIigFmZ8

— FUFA Tv (@fufatv1) February 19, 2026

Maroons, to their credit, refused to retreat. They pressed for a leveller and came agonisingly close when a dangerous effort was hacked off the line by Nicholas Kigozi, a moment that preserved Villa’s slim cushion heading into the interval.

Despite spells of Maroons possession, Villa’s back line held firm to take a 1–0 lead into halftime.

The second half unfolded with similar tension. Ssebufu remained a constant menace sometimes too eager, straying offside and later seeing yellow for blocking the goalkeeper while Maroons kept knocking. Hassan Matovu was called into action more than once, and Norman Odipio nearly found the equaliser but pulled his shot wide.

Just when it looked like Villa would have to grind out the result, the bench made the difference.

Introduced in the 84th minute, Andrew Otim needed barely any time to leave his mark. Deep into stoppage time, Reagan Mpande whipped in a teasing delivery, and Otim rose above everyone to thunder home a header in the 90+1st minute, sealing the points and igniting celebrations under the Kadiba lights.

The victory lifts SC Villa to fourth place on 34 points, keeping them firmly in the title conversation.

Maroons FC, meanwhile, stay ninth on 18 points after a spirited but ultimately fruitless outing.

The league now takes a breather for Uganda Cup action before returning in early March. Villa head north to face Calvary FC in Yumbe on March 2, while Maroons make the trip to Express FC two days later.

•Buhimba United Saints 1–1 Police FC

•Entebbe UPPC FC 1–0 Mbarara City FC

•Vipers SC 1–1 NEC FC

•Calvary FC 0–0 Express FC

•Lugazi FC 1–0 UPDF FC

•KCCA FC 2–1 BUL FC

•Kitara FC 1–1 URA FC

•SC Villa 2–0 Maroons FC