KCCA FC are back at their familiar hunting ground, the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, for the first time this Uganda Premier League (UPL) season, but uncertainty still lingers in the air. The Kasasiro Boys will face Lugazi FC on Thursday evening in what should be a celebratory homecoming, yet the mood around the club remains subdued as sections of fans continue their boycott over the league’s new format and reforms.
Having opened their campaign on the road, KCCA’s first two fixtures were far from routine. They were held 1-1 by Kitara in Hoima before edging SC Villa 2-1 in a derby technically marked as a “home” game, though played at Namboole under the new double-header format introduced by the UPL. Now, with four points from six, KCCA return to the turf they know best, hoping to turn home advantage into a statement win, if only the stands will fill again.
Smiles 😁#KCCAFC #KCCALUG #StarTimesUPL pic.twitter.com/S19hkWnbYs
— KCCA FC (@KCCAFC) October 15, 2025
The 13-time champions are riding on a morale boost after their derby triumph, which eased early-season pressure and signaled that coach Jackson Magera’s rebuild is taking shape. Still, the atmosphere around Lugogo is expected to be far quieter than usual. Sections of the club’s famously vocal supporters have vowed to stay away from home games in protest against the league’s new scheduling model, which they argue dilutes the spirit of traditional rivalries.
Their absence could be felt when KCCA line up against Lugazi — a side they thrashed 5-0 in the same fixture last term. But with fan energy muted, the club’s ability to reproduce that dominance remains to be seen.
Lugazi, for their part, arrive in Kampala with a mixed start to their season but clear intent to improve on last year’s visit. Their heavy defeat at Lugogo remains fresh in memory, though they did manage to hold KCCA to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture, proof they can frustrate the giants when given the chance.
Coach Magera insists his players must block out the noise and let their football do the talking.
“This is our home, and we have to show that on the field of play,” Magera stressed. “We respect Lugazi, they are a different team this season than the one we faced last year. Our mentality must be correct with discipline, intensity, and focus for 90 minutes. The five goals we scored last time are history. We must earn the right to win again.”
Working with Lugazi in our minds 💭#KCCAFC #KCCALUG pic.twitter.com/gsesx4PQTF
— KCCA FC (@KCCAFC) October 15, 2025
In the last two league meetings, KCCA have claimed one win and one draw against Lugazi, outscoring them 6–1 overall. Yet as the Kasasiro Boys prepare for their long-awaited return to Lugogo, the real question may not be how they perform – but who will be there to see it.
