The 2025/26 StarTimes Uganda Premier League continues to deliver high-stakes drama, and Matchday 24 only tightened the screws at both ends of the table.
As of April 23, the championship race remains fiercely contested, with four clubs still harboring genuine ambitions of lifting the trophy.
Title race heats up
Defending champions Vipers SC have reasserted their authority at the summit after snapping a brief dip in form. A commanding 2-0 win over Buhimba United Saints restored their rhythm following back-to-back slip-ups against direct rivals.
Hot on their heels, KCCA FC and SC Villa kept pace with crucial victories over Entebbe UPPC and Lugazi respectively. While KCCA trail by four points, Villa sit seven behind, still within striking distance if momentum swings their way.
With fixtures coming thick and fast, the title race is far from settled. A single twist could reshape the entire landscape.
Returning home. ๐๏ธ
After two games on the road, we are back on home soil for a SUNDAY showdown with the PRINTERS ๐ฅ
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ โช๏ธ https://t.co/8gGPO6yDVD#VIPEBB || #VenomsUpdates || #OneTeamOneDream || pic.twitter.com/RvsOVj8Vlj
โ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ (@VipersSC) April 24, 2026
Kitaraโs costly misfires
Few sides will feel more frustrated than Kitara FC. Just days ago, they had a golden opportunity to close the gap to within a point of the leaders. Instead, a sequence of missed chances and dropped points has left them trailing by seven.
A stalemate at Kitende, defeat to KCCA, and a lifeless goalless draw against struggling Calvary have exposed a glaring issue, inefficiency in front of goal.
Despite deploying an array of attacking talent, including Patrick Kaddu, Muhamad Shaban, and George Ssenkaaba, the Royals have failed to convert dominance into results.
Basangwa incident raises serious safety concerns
The league was also rocked by a troubling incident during the clash between Express FC and NEC FC involving Richard Basangwa.
After suffering a dangerous blow to the neck, the midfielder required urgent medical attention. However, what followed exposed a shocking lapse in matchday preparedness, the designated ambulance was unusable due to a flat tyre. Eventually, a club officialโs vehicle stepped in to transport the player to hospital, where he received treatment and was later discharged in stable condition.
The situation stands in direct violation of FUFA regulations, which clearly state:
“It shall be the duty of the home team to arrange medical facilitations during FUFA competition matches. For the case of the 1st division league matches, a fully equipped ambulance must be available before and during the match.”
“Match officials appointed shall inspect and ensure the ambulance is present before and during the match. Should at any one time a need for an ambulance arises and there is no ambulance available, the home team shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code.”
This alarming episode has reignited calls for stricter enforcement and thorough inspection of medical readiness at all venues.
UPDFโs statement win sparks debate
At the lower end of the table, UPDF FC delivered one of the most eye-catching results of the round, a 5-2 demolition of BUL FC in Jinja.
The emphatic victory significantly boosts UPDFโs survival hopes, lifting them to 20 points and creating a five-point cushion above the relegation zone.
While some observers have raised eyebrows given UPDFโs inconsistent campaign, history offers context: the army side has now beaten BUL away from home for three consecutive seasons.
NECโs defensive masterclass continues
Quietly but impressively, NEC are putting together one of the most resilient runs in the league. Their goalless draw with Express extended their unbeaten streak to 15 league matches and 19 across all competitions (excluding shootouts).
Their last defeat dates back to December 12, ironically against KCCA, and their recent success has been built on defensive excellence. Nine consecutive clean sheets underline a backline that has become exceptionally difficult to breach, including a disciplined shutout against Vipers in the Uganda Cup.
As the season edges closer to its climax, the margins grow thinner, the pressure intensifies, and every moment carries weight.
Whether itโs the title contenders, mid-table challengers, or relegation fighters, Matchday 24 proved that the Uganda Premier League remains as unpredictable, and compelling, as ever.
