The StarTimes Uganda Premier League returned on Friday with round one offering an intriguing first glimpse into what could be a fascinating campaign— far from short on talking points.
A quiet start: little goals, small crowds
With relatively small crowds in the stands at almost all venues, Matchday One produced little in the way of attacking fireworks. Fourteen (14) goals were scored across the nine fixtures, an average of less than two goals per game.
While it would be premature to draw definitive conclusions from a single round, the subdued goal return could be attributed to several factors. Attackers may still be working their way back to full match fitness after the off-season, and perhaps the lack of cohesion within newly assembled squads could also have played a significant role.
With most clubs making substantial changes to their squads during the transfer window, many attacking combinations are yet to develop the understanding and rhythm required to consistently unlock defences.
It was, therefore, a relatively cautious opening weekend in front of the low crowds. Whether the low-scoring trend continues or proves to be merely an early-season adjustment remains one of the interesting storylines to watch.
NEC: A force to reckon with under Badru Kaddu
Under Badru Kaddu who was appointed closer to midway last season, NEC have consistently looked a menace to opponents and looks to have carried on from where they left off last season.
After falling short against KCCA in the FUFA Super 8 final, the ‘Diehards’ responded against the same opponents on Saturday. Goals from Richard Basangwa and Pius Obuya secured a convincing 2–0 victory for NEC over KCCA at Lugogo.
Worth noting, NEC were on an 18-game unbeaten streak before losing to SC Villa 4-1 on match day 29 last season and jumped from bottom table to finish fifth.
And now that Kaddu starts his full reign, this campaign could be different and a strong start could be an early indication of a team capable of challenging the status quo.
Is it too early to draw conclusions? Perhaps. But that statement win over KCCA signals intent to vie for the league this season.
Giants off to a shaky start
The giants made a shaky start to the campaign with none of the big ‘five’ in Villa, Express, KCCA, Vipers and Kitara registering victory.
Defending champions Vipers suffered a shock home defeat to Entebbe UPPC, with Kevin Dasylva inadvertently turning the ball into his own net following a costly miscommunication with his goalkeeper.
That was Vipers’ first league home defeat since losing 1-0 to KCCA in 2024, ironically to Abdallah Mubiru who masterminded the same defeat on Friday.
Similarly, KCCA endured a frustrating opening day, falling 2–0 at home to NEC, while Express were handed a difficult start by Alex Isabirye’s BUL, losing 1–0 courtesy of Mpasa Swabir’s decisive strike.
Elsewhere, Kitara held the record champions to a draw after Chrispas Asiki struck late to cancel out Andrew Okumu’s eighth-minute header.
For the established heavyweights, it was an undeniably disappointing opening chapter. The season is long, the margins are fine, and there remains ample time for the usual suspects to recover—and for new challengers to announce themselves.
The question now is not who stumbled, but who has the character and quality to turn the early setbacks around.
Cruel welcome for the debutants
Kigezi Home Boyz and Ntugasaze embarked on their maiden premier league beginning with 2-1 and 1-0 defeats to Lugazi and Blacks Power respectively; away from home.
Ntugasaze fell to returning Blacks Power, with Andrea Noll Ogwal scoring the decisive goal early in the second half while Kigezi Home Boyz were heartbroken by a late Livingstone Mulondo goal that turned Mike Walaga’s equaliser into a mere consolation after he had cancelled out Cromwell Rwothomio goal for Lugazi.
Elsewhere, Kataka travelled to Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, to face UPDF and played out a goalless stalemate. For the travelling debutants, a point on the road represented a respectable and perhaps encouraging beginning to life in the top flight.
For any newcomer, the immediate objective is clear: survival and, ultimately, establish a sustainable presence among the country’s elite.
For Kigezi and Ntugasaze, the journey has begun on a difficult note, while Kataka have at least secured a point from their opening assignment.
But one match does not define a season. The newcomers have time to adapt, regroup and correct their early shortcomings. The real test will be how quickly they learn from these opening encounters and respond when the pressure begins to mount.
Bright start for Jimmy Kintu at URA
URA have begun a new chapter under head coach Jimmy Kintu, and their opening-day performance offered an early glimpse of the character and resilience the new era may demand.
The Tax Collectors found themselves trailing after Darius Ojok’s first-half strike gave Maroons a lead but Dissan Galiwango restored parity before Abraham Tusubira completed the comeback with a late winner against his former club, sealing a 2–1 victory for URA.
It was more than just three points; it was a statement of intent. URA have endured a difficult spell over the past few seasons, culminating in a disappointing 10th-place finish last campaign.
With Kintu now at the helm, attention inevitably turns to reviving the club’s competitive edge and eventually guide the four-time champions back to the levels required to challenge for the championship and
the new era could hardly have started better.
The real challenge, however, lies not in winning the opening game, but sustaining the momentum across an entire campaign.
Elsewhere, Mbarara city suffered a narrow 1-0 loss on the road against Police, courtesy of Ivan Mayanja’s strike.
Round One Team of the Week
GK: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC)
**RB: **Andrew Okumu (Villa)
CB: Tah Barni Kelvin (Entebbe UPPC)
CB: Livingston Mulondo (Lugazi)
LB: Ochungo Thomas (Entebbe UPPC)
**CDM: **IIsat Emmanuel (Entebbe UPPC)
**CM: **Allan Mugalu (NEC)
CAM: Moses Waiswa (URA)
**FW: **Simon Achidi (BUL)
**FW: **Richard Basangwa (NEC)
FW: Ivan Mayanja (Police).
Coach: Abdallah Mubiru (Entebbe UPPC)
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