Uganda Premier League | Wednesday MD 23
- URA 4-0 Soltilo Bright Stars
- Wakiso Giants 3-3 Maroons
At Nakivubo Stadium, under the setting Kampala sun, URA FC reminded the Uganda Premier League of their growing resurgence with a commanding 4-0 victory over a struggling Bright Stars side.
It was a performance built on intent, control, and a long awaited return to goal scoring form that now sees the Tax Collectors stretch their unbeaten run to three matches and climb to fourth on the table with 39 points from 22 games.
From the opening whistle, URA meant business. The hosts moved with a sense of urgency and confidence that’s been steadily returning in recent weeks.
Their pressure paid off early just 15 minutes in when Joseph Ssemujju calmly converted a precise low cross from James Begisa, giving URA a deserved lead and igniting the home crowd.
Bright Stars tried to push back. A curling free-kick from Nelson Ssenkatuka forced URA goalkeeper Dennis Otim into a spectacular save, tipping the ball over the bar.
Moments later, Noordin Bunjo nearly snatched an equalizer but his effort was heroically cleared off the line by Enock Walusimbi. Those missed chances would haunt the visitors.
In the 38th minute, URA doubled their lead. This time it was Bruno Bunyaga, calmly finishing off a flowing team move that dissected Bright Stars’ flat footed defense. With a 2-0 cushion heading into halftime, the Tax Collectors were in cruise control.
The second half started just as the first had ended with URA on the front foot. Only six minutes after the restart, Moses Aliro sent Nakivubo into raptures with a thunderbolt from range that left goalkeeper Shamulan Kamya grasping at air. 3-0, and Bright Stars looked deflated.
The visitors’ misery nearly worsened when Bright Vuni nearly turned the ball into his own net in a desperate attempt to clear an Innocent Kitimbo cross.
But it was only a matter of time before URA struck again. Bunyaga completed his brace late in the match, finishing off a slick cutback from Aliro to cap off a dominant evening for the home side.
For head coach Alex Isabirye, this was more than just a win, it was a turning point.
“I’m happy,” Isabirye said after the game.
“We’ve been creating chances, but scoring has been our problem since the beginning of the season. URA has just been unlucky.”
He went on to reflect on their early-season struggles.
“We didn’t have a good pre-season training. We knew we’d struggle. But you can see now Aliro, Ivan, Bruno, Ssemujju, they’re all trying to score and that’s good for the team. We’re working to build a strong side that can really compete for the trophy next season. I think we are almost there.”
While URA celebrated a third straight win, Bright Stars were left to contemplate another defeat. They now sit second from bottom with just 15 points from 22 games. Their survival hopes are growing slimmer by the week.
Looking ahead, URA will look to carry this momentum into their next clash against KCCA FC on Wednesday, April 16th. Meanwhile, Bright Stars will hope for a revival when they host Wakiso Giants a day earlier.
Elsewhere in the league, Wakiso Giants staged a dramatic second-half comeback to draw 3-3 with Maroons. The visitors had taken a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from Baden Mujahid, Brian Nkuubi, and Walugembe.
But the hosts refused to go down quietly. Marvin Oshaba and Hudson Mbalire struck back, earning Wakiso a valuable point and delivering another reminder of just how unpredictable this league can be.
Uganda Premier League action continues tomorrow, Thursday, April 10th with the following fixtures;
Thursday, April 10, 2025
- Police vs Mbarara City – Kavumba | 4 PM
- SC Villa vs Mbale Heroes – Wankulukuku | 4 PM
- NEC vs Kitara – Lugogo | 7 PM
