The Uganda Premier League Matchday 24 action kicks off this Tuesday, April 15, 2025, with two crucial fixtures set for Butema and Kavumba.
Royal Park will host a fired-up Kitara side facing Lugazi FC while Kavumba Recreation Ground sets the stage for a tense Wakiso derby between Bright Stars and Wakiso Giants, a game that could significantly influence the relegation battle.
- Kitara vs Lugazi – Royal Park, Butema | 4PM
At the fortress that is Royal Park Butema, fifth-placed Kitara FC will be eager to bounce back from their painful 2-1 defeat to NEC last Friday.
With 35 points and just four adrift of the top four, Wasswa Bbosa’s side will view this fixture as a must-win in their chase for a continental slot.
The Royals have been exceptional at home, with an almost impenetrable record, seven wins in their last eight league games at Butema, conceding just once. That home dominance will be their weapon against a struggling Lugazi FC.
For Steven Bogere’s Lugazi, they travel to Hoima winless in their last four outings, having slipped to 11th on the table with 27 points.
Though still nine points above the relegation line, their recent form poses a growing concern. The last time these two teams met, Kitara stormed Lugazi’s backyard with a commanding 3-0 victory, a result that still lingers in memory.
However, Lugazi assistant coach Gerald Efiti believes his side is better prepared this time around. “We’ve worked on our defensive mistakes. Kitara are good at home, but we are ready,” Efiti said.
He also confirmed the absence of captain Richard Ayiko due to suspension and striker Sam Ssemugugu due to illness but expressed full confidence in the squad depth.
With Kitara hungry to return to winning ways and Lugazi desperate to reignite their survival push, a desperate kind of game is expected under the Butema skies.
- Bright Stars vs Wakiso Giants – Kavumba Recreation Centre | 4PM
Over at Kavumba, the tension will be palpable as relegation-threatened Bright Stars welcome fellow strugglers Wakiso Giants in a high-stakes Wakiso derby.
With only three points separating the two teams, this clash is more than just local bragging rights, it’s a survival six-pointer.
Bright Stars, led by Ian Mutenda sit second from bottom with 15 points. A win would lift them level on points with Wakiso Giants and pile pressure on Mbarara City who face SC Villa on Wednesday.
For Wakiso Giants, who hover just above with 18 points, this fixture could determine their fate after more than a decade in Uganda’s top flight.
The reverse encounter ended in a 1-1 stalemate and both sides will be eyeing more than a share of spoils this time. Purple Sharks know that another slip could be fatal in their quest to stay afloat.
The action continues on Wednesday with five fixtures including a clash between BUL and Police in Njeru and a high-profile encounter between URA and KCCA at Nakivubo under the floodlights.
Thursday wraps up Matchday 24 with Vipers SC hosting NEC in a blockbuster encounter at Kitende.
other Matchday 24 Fixtures
Wednesday, April 16
- BUL vs Police – Njeru | 4PM
- Mbale Heroes vs Express – Mbale | 4PM
- Mbarara City vs SC Villa – Kakyeeka | 4PM
- UPDF vs Maroons – Bombo | 4PM
- URA vs KCCA – Nakivubo | 7PM
Thursday, April 17
- Vipers SC vs NEC – Kitende 7PM
