Matchday 24 of the Uganda Premier League delivered a mix of drama, resilience and missed opportunities with away victories for SC Villa and Express, a home comeback for UPDF and a goalless stalemate between BUL and Police.
Uganda Premier League | Wednesday | MD 24
- Mbarara City 0-2 SC Villa
- Mbale Heroes 0-1 Express
- UPDF 2-1 Maroons
- BUL 0-0 Police
- SC Villa ends Mbarara hoodoo amid chaos
SC Villa secured a historic 2-0 win over Mbarara City at Kakyeka Stadium, their first ever away win against the Ankole Lions in six visits.
The match, however, was marred by chaos featuring four red cards and intense crowd tension.
Aslam Ssemakula came off the bench to score within two minutes of the second half, giving the Jogoos the lead.
The game spiralled into controversy in the 52nd minute when Mbarara’s Saddick Nasur and Villa captain David Owori were both sent off following a heated exchange.
Villa’s goalkeeping coach Yusuf Ssenyonjo and defender Geoffrey Lubangakane were also dismissed later.
Despite being reduced to nine men, SC Villa extended their lead after a Mbarara own goal by Martin Owalamu.
The win lifted Villa to sixth on 36 points while Mbarara remain perilously close to the relegation zone in 13th with 23 points.
- Express edge Mbale Heroes to climb the table
In Mbale, Express FC held firm to claim a 1-0 away victory over bottom-placed Mbale Heroes.
Kagawa Ssenoga scored the decisive goal in the 22nd minute, calmly slotting home after an early injury saw Emmanuel Wasswa limp off.
Though Mbale Heroes mounted a second-half push, the Red Eagles’ defence held steady to bag all three points.
The win moved Express up to ninth while Mbale Heroes remain rooted at the bottom with just 10 points.
- UPDF rally late to down Maroons
At Bombo Military Grounds, UPDF FC came from behind to defeat Maroons FC 2-1 in a spirited display. Maroons led at halftime courtesy of a 17th-minute penalty converted by Rogers Kiwanuka.
However, veteran forward Samuel Kayongo Ssekamate inspired the home side with a brace, scoring in the 76th and again in the dying moments.
The comeback win pushed UPDF to 10th place on 32 points, giving them breathing space in the battle against relegation while Maroons stayed eighth with 34 points.
- BUL and Police share spoils in stalemate
At the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, BUL FC and Police FC played out a cagey goalless draw.
BUL’s Umaru Kasumba and Police’s Tonny Kiwalazi came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half but neither side could find the back of the net.
The result leaves BUL in third place with 43 points while Police remain 12th with 27 points.
New Police boss Matia Lule remains unbeaten in his first two games, having taken four points from a possible six.
Later in the evening, URA are set to host KCCA at the Hamz Stadium, closing out the day’s action.
