Reigning Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC will finally kick off their title defence on Saturday when they visit newly promoted Entebbe UPPC at the Bugonga Fisheries Ground.
Vipers’ new campaign was delayed by their resistance to the earlier proposed three-phase league format which has since been suspended and their participation in the CAF Champions League.
Having failed to progress to the group stages of the continental competition, their attention now fully shifts to maintaining domestic dominance.
However, their opening fixture comes with an emotional subplot. The Entebbe UPPC technical team is largely made up of former Vipers figures.
Head coach Abdallah Mubiru and his assistant Livingstone Mbabazi both had stints in Kitende, while Edward Ssali and Godfrey Walusimbi previously donned the Bunamwaya (now Vipers) jersey.
Key Entebbe players Isa Bugembe, Fazil Tumwine, and Isa Mubiru also have past ties with the Venoms.
Mbabazi, speaking ahead of the clash, acknowledged the champions’ quality but remained optimistic about his side’s chances.
“We give respect to them as champions and as one that carried our flag on the continent,” Mbabazi said. “But the game against them is like any other and we shall try to fight and get a good result.”
After losing their season opener, Entebbe UPPC have shown steady improvement registering back-to-back wins against Lugazi and NEC before holding record champions SC Villa to a draw in Kampala.
For Vipers head coach Jacky Ivan Minnaert, anything short of a strong start could raise pressure following the club’s early continental exit. With title contenders already collecting points, the Venoms must send a statement at Bugonga.
All eyes will be on stars such as Allan Okello, Yunus Sentamu, Milton Karisa, Usama Arafat, Gusto Mulongo, and Nigerian forward Chukwuma Odili to deliver maximum points.
Meanwhile, in the day’s other fixture, winless NEC travel to Rwamwanje Stadium in Kamwenge to face Mbarara City—both sides still in search of their first victory of the season.
Kick-off: 4:00 PM
Fixtures:
- Entebbe UPPC vs Vipers – Bugonga Fisheries Ground
- Mbarara City vs NEC – Rwamwanje Stadium, Kamwenge
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