Vipers SC once again underlined their championship credentials with a thrilling late victory, as Abdul Karim Watambala delivered a decisive goal in the closing stages to secure a 2–1 win over UPDF FC at the Bombo Barracks Military Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Venoms appeared destined to drop points after UPDF staged a late comeback, but the league leaders summoned their trademark resilience to snatch victory in dramatic fashion and continue their impressive run at the summit of the Uganda Premier League.
It was yet another display of Vipers’ growing reputation this season, a side that refuses to fold when the pressure intensifies.
Incredible fight in a difficult ground
Well deserved 3points venoms 🤝 pic.twitter.com/1Ub6XPzNf0— Abdul Karim Watambala #25 (@AKWatambala) March 11, 2026
The visitors began the match with clear attacking intent and almost made the perfect start within minutes of kickoff. In the third minute, Odili Chukwuma delivered a dangerous ball from the left that threatened to unsettle the UPDF defence, but Da Sylva reacted swiftly to clear the danger before it could cause serious trouble.
UPDF gradually settled into the contest and began creating opportunities of their own. Enrique Lubwama showed good footwork to beat Enock Luyima before sending in a hurried cross, while Emmanuel Ochen later attempted a teasing delivery that drifted beyond the reach of the waiting attackers.
Despite the hosts’ growing confidence, it was Vipers who eventually broke the deadlock. Arafat Usama Kiza put the visitors ahead, giving the table leaders the advantage and briefly silencing the home supporters.
The soldiers, however, were far from finished. With ten minutes left on the clock, Lubwama took advantage of a momentary lapse in the Vipers defence to restore parity, sending the home crowd into celebration and raising hopes of a valuable result for UPDF.
Just as the match seemed set to end in a stalemate, Watambala emerged as the hero for the Venoms. The midfielder struck late to restore Vipers’ lead, ensuring the visitors left Bombo with all three points after another dramatic finish.
𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 |
Solid three points on the road, and now we shift our focus to Saturday. 💪🏿#UPDVIP || #VenomsUpdates || #OneTeamOneDream || pic.twitter.com/Uk0I0Gu0I3
— 𝐕𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 (@VipersSC) March 11, 2026
It was the second consecutive match in which Vipers relied on a late intervention to secure victory. Only days earlier, veteran striker Yunus Sentamu had produced a decisive late goal to hand them a narrow win over Mbarara City FC.
Such moments are fast becoming a defining feature of Vipers’ title charge, a team that continues to fight until the final whistle and repeatedly finds a way to deliver when it matters most.
The victory was Vipers’ 14th in 20 league matches and extended their lead at the top of the standings to four points ahead of second-placed Kitara FC.
For UPDF, the defeat adds to their growing concerns. It marked their 13th loss of the season, leaving them stranded on 13 points and firmly locked in the relegation battle.
𝙑𝙞𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙎𝘾 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙠!!! 💪🏿@taddeolwanga, back from injury with a combative solid show in midfield. ✊🏿#VenomsUpdates || #OneTeamOneDream || pic.twitter.com/Q5WkU6EiLM
— 𝐕𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 (@VipersSC) March 11, 2026
The soldiers will attempt to revive their survival hopes when they travel to Luzira to face Maroons FC on Saturday.
Vipers, meanwhile, return home buoyed by confidence as they prepare to host Calvary in their next league assignment.
