Success at Vipers SC is built on one uncompromising principle, results matter more than anything else.
That is according to midfield star Karim Watambala, who has opened up about the demanding culture inside the Uganda Premier League champions following another dominant campaign.
The Venoms secured their eighth league crown after ending the season on 67 points, comfortably ahead of second-placed by five points. It also marked a fourth championship in five seasons for the Kitende-based side, underlining their growing dominance in Ugandan football.
Speaking on NBS Sport after the title celebrations, Watambala explained that the expectations at Vipers leave no room for complacency.
“At Vipers, winning is everything because we have an ambitious president. You can play beautiful football, but if you don’t win, the fans will still question you,” Watambala said.
The midfielder was one of the club’s driving forces throughout the season, particularly after the departure of Allan Okello to Young Africans SC.
CHAMPIONS 2025/26🏆🏅 WELL DONE VENOMS 🤝 pic.twitter.com/96YNntqCA7
— Abdul Karim Watambala #25 (@AKWatambala) May 24, 2026
With Okello gone, Watambala embraced greater responsibility in the team and delivered the finest campaign of his career, registering 12 league goals and five assists while earning the club’s Most Valuable Player accolade.
He credited the coaching staff for helping him believe he could fill the void left behind by Okello.
“After Okello left, the coach called me and told me that he believed I could take over that role and score goals,” Watambala explained.
“He kept encouraging me not to fear mistakes and always calmed me whenever things did not go well.”
The midfielder acknowledged that replacing such an influential player demanded extra effort on and off the pitch:
“I also knew I had to step up after Okello left. It required hard work, proper training, analysing my performances and resting well.”
𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟐𝟓/𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐕𝐈𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐒𝐂 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒!!! 🥁
1). Most Valuable Player – Karim Watambala
2). President Award Recognition – Usama Arafat
3). Captain’s Award – Milton Karisa
4). Iron Wall Award – Hilary Mukundane#VenomsUpdates ||… pic.twitter.com/TiPBJgVilT
— 𝐕𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 (@VipersSC) May 25, 2026
Watambala’s emergence became a major factor in Vipers’ successful title charge as the club once again demonstrated the winning mentality that has turned them into the country’s dominant force in recent years.
