UPL: Title race heats up as Vipers, Police and KCCA take center stage

The penultimate round of fixtures in the first round of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League gets underway this Tuesday with a packed schedule headlined by a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash at Kitende.

League leaders Vipers welcome second-placed Police under the floodlights at St. Mary’s Stadium in what could significantly shape the title race.

The Venoms come into the contest full of confidence after dismantling URA 3-0 over the weekend, while Police also arrive in good spirits following their midweek victory over Calvary at Kiira.

Vipers sit on 30 points, three better than the Cops, although Police have played one game more.

Buhimba United Saints face NEC in a pressure fixture

History also favors the reigning champions, who have only lost once to Police in 15 league meetings, a defeat that dates back to 2017.

Earlier in the day, attention will turn to Lugogo where 13-time champions KCCA host UPDF at the MTN Omondi Stadium.

The Kasasiro Boys are eager to bounce back from a frustrating run that has seen them lose to Police and draw with Maroons in their last two outings. A win could temporarily send them top of the table, and head coach Brian Ssenyondo has made it clear that only victory will suffice.

UPDF, however, are not travelling to make up the numbers. Head coach Alex Gitta believes his side can cause an upset, insisting his team has worked on their finishing after missing several chances in their previous match.

The two sides played out a goalless draw in the same fixture last season, and UPDF have not beaten KCCA since 2016.
In Midigo, four-time champions URA will be desperate to stop the bleeding when they visit bottom-placed Calvary.

Hussein Mbalangu’s men are on a worrying five-match losing streak and sit on 11 points, while Calvary remain rooted to the foot of the table with just three points.

Entebbe UPPC will look to continue their impressive campaign when they host Maroons at the Fisheries Ground in Bugonga. The hosts are fifth on 26 points, just four behind leaders Vipers, while Maroons who held KCCA in their last match are seventh on 16 points.

At Royal Park Butema, Buhimba United Saints face NEC in a pressure fixture for the visitors, who are looking to ease the heat on head coach Badru Kaddu. NEC are eighth with 16 points, while Buhimba sit 11th, three points behind safety.

Elsewhere, struggling Lugazi welcome an in-form BUL side that has won twice since Alex Isabirye took charge. BUL are mid-table, while Lugazi remain in the bottom two with 11 points and badly need a result to revive their survival hopes.

The round will be completed on Wednesday with two more fixtures as Kitara host Express, while SC Villa entertain Mbarara City under the lights in Kadiba.

MATCHDAY 14 FIXTURES

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 – 4:00 PM EAT
• KCCA vs UPDF – MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo
• Buhimba United Saints vs NEC – Royal Park, Butema
• Entebbe UPPC vs Maroons – Fisheries Ground, Bugonga
• Calvary vs URA – Midigo P/S, Yumbe
• Lugazi vs BUL – Lugazi Stadium, Najjembe
• Vipers vs Police – St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende (8:00 PM)

Wednesday, January 28, 2026
• Kitara vs Express – Royal Park, Butema (4:00 PM)
• SC Villa vs Mbarara City – FUFA Stadium, Kadiba (8:00 PM)