KCCA edge Express in fiery derby as fans return to Nakivubo

Uganda Premier League (UPL)
Thursday Results 
Express 0 Express 1
BUL 3 Buhimba 0
Friday 
Kitara v Mbarara City, 4pm
SC Villa v Police, 8pm

KCCA FC assistant coach Jackson Magera has credited the club’s passionate supporters for their role in Thursday’s narrow 1-0 Uganda Premier League (UPL) victory over arch-rivals Express FC at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.

In a thrilling Kampala derby that marked the return of fans to the stands following weeks of boycotts, teenage winger Sammy Ssebaduka emerged the hero, netting the decisive goal in the 71st minute to hand KCCA all three points.

“Fans are the ones who make football. You cannot be on the pitch without them because they motivate the players and even us on the technical bench,” Magera said after the match. “They make the atmosphere electric and help the players deliver. I thank them so much for coming.”

The game carried added emotional weight for KCCA supporters, who had boycotted the club’s first three matches in protest of the now-suspended three-round league format introduced by FUFA. Those fixtures were played before sparse or completely empty stands — including the 2-1 victory over SC Villa at Namboole. With FUFA’s decision to revert to the traditional two-round format, the fans returned in full voice, painting Nakivubo yellow and cheering their team throughout.

Express fans also showed up in large numbers, clad in their signature red and white, equally celebrating the return of the familiar league structure despite the disappointing result.

On the pitch, both sides delivered an entertaining contest filled with chances and intensity, but it was KCCA who ultimately triumphed. The victory marked their second consecutive Kampala derby win, having earlier silenced SC Villa.

KCCA’s win lifted them to third place on the table with eight points from four matches, while Express slipped to sixth with four points from as many games — continuing their inconsistent start to the campaign.

Meanwhile, at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, BUL FC handed newcomers Buhimba United Saints their first defeat of the season, running out 3-0 winners. Ibrahim Mugulusi, Sieri Arigumaho, and Jeromy Kirya scored for BUL, securing their second win of the campaign.

Despite the loss, Buhimba remain top of the table with nine points from four matches, while BUL climbed to second, level on eight points with KCCA but ahead on goal difference.