SC Villa’s pursuit of the 2025/26 StarTimes Uganda Premier League crown is hanging by a thread, and with nine rounds still to play, their challenge already feels like a missed opportunity.
At the start of the campaign, the Jogoos were firmly tipped among the frontrunners to claim a record-extending 18th league title. But in recent weeks, their momentum has been abruptly stalled, not by tactical shortcomings or lack of effort, but by contentious refereeing decisions that have proven decisive.
Now sitting nine points behind leaders Vipers, Zeljko Kovacevic’s side faces a steep uphill task. While the mathematics still offers a glimmer of hope, the reality is far less forgiving. With Vipers, Kitara, and KCCA all ahead in the standings, Villa’s fate is no longer entirely in their own hands.
Two fixtures, in particular, have come to define their unraveling title charge: a goalless draw against Express and a narrow 1-0 loss to Police. In both encounters, Villa found the net, only for their celebrations to be cut short by controversial offside calls.
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At Kadiba, Hassan Mubiru thought he had given Villa the lead with a beautifully crafted team goal just before halftime against his former club. However, assistant referee Immaculate Ongiera raised her flag, ruling it out. The decision proved costly, as Express held on for a draw.
Days later, history repeated itself at the Police grounds in Kamwokya. Frank Ssebuufu appeared to have restored parity for Villa, but assistant referee Emmanuel Okudra flagged him offside, denying the equaliser. Villa went on to lose the match.
Had those two goals stood, Villa could have secured an additional four points, lifting them to 55 and within touching distance of Vipers, just four points behind, with a crucial head-to-head clash still to come. The entire complexion of their title race might have been different.
The Uganda Football Association (FUFA), through its Referees Disciplinary Panel, has since handed both officials three-month bans. While the sanctions have been welcomed by Villa supporters, they do little to recover the points already lost.
There’s more. Villa can also point to their 1-1 draw away at Vipers as another moment where officiating played a role. Usama Arafat’s equaliser for the champions came from what appeared to be an offside position, another decision that went against the Jogoos.
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This isn’t the first time Villa has seen a title bid slip away under controversial circumstances. Past seasons have witnessed points lost off the pitch in administrative rulings. This time, it’s been the whistle, and the flag, that have done the damage.
As the season edges toward its conclusion, Villa may look back on these moments not just as unfortunate incidents, but as the turning points that ultimately derailed their championship ambitions.
