Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC have been dealt a stern test at the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup after being drawn into a highly competitive Group A following Friday’s draw in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Venoms will battle hosts APR FC, Kenyan football powerhouse Gor Mahia FC and Djibouti’s FC Garde Republicaine for a place in the knockout rounds of the regional showpiece, which is scheduled to take place from 24 July to 7 August 2026.
The draw, held at the iconic Amahoro Stadium, has set up an intriguing campaign for the Kitende-based side, who return to the tournament determined to make their mark after an eight-year absence.
One of the standout fixtures in the group will see Vipers renew acquaintances with Gor Mahia, the club that knocked them out of the 2018 edition with a 2-1 quarterfinal victory. The Ugandan champions will now have an opportunity to settle old scores while chasing a place in the last four.
Fresh from reinforcing their squad ahead of a demanding season, Vipers will use the CECAFA Kagame Cup as an important platform to fine-tune preparations for domestic and continental assignments, including the Uganda Premier League, CAF Champions League and Uganda Cup.
The race for qualification promises to be intense. Only the three group winners will earn automatic semifinal spots, while the final ticket will be awarded to the best-performing runner-up across the three groups.
Continuing with pre-season preparations under Coach Denis Lavagne๐๐ฟโโ๏ธ#VenomsUpdates || #OneTeamOneDream || pic.twitter.com/XTBtiTZhBm
โ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ (@VipersSC) July 9, 2026
2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup groups
Group A
APR FC (Rwanda)
Vipers SC (Uganda)
Gor Mahia FC (Kenya)
FC Garde Republicaine (Djibouti)
Group B
Simba SC (Tanzania)
Singida Black Stars (Tanzania)
Jamus FC (South Sudan)
Mogadishu City (Somalia)
Group C
Al Hilal (Sudan)
Rayon Sports (Rwanda)
Tusker FC (Kenya)
KVZ FC (Zanzibar)
