Stanbic Uganda Cup Final
Saturday
Result 
NEC 0 Kitara 1

Substitute Solomon Okwalinga scored the all-important goal for Kitara FC in the 73rd minute to beat NEC 1-0 at Muteesa II Stadium Wankulukuku to win their first-ever Stanbic Uganda Cup.

Okwalinga capitalised on NEC defender Kelvin Barni's laziness to deal with a shot from Denis Omedi to flick it beyond Benjamin Ochan's reach to give Kitara the lead.

The former Mbarara City midfielder was introduced in the 56th minute, replacing Frank Tumwesigye. 

Before Kitara took the lead, they had been second best right from the start. NEC was the better side but was wasteful, especially Cromwell Rwothomio who should have scored a hat trick in the first half. 

Rwothomio also missed a tap in the second half to give his side the lead. 

NEC players after losing to Kitara FC in the final

Kitara goalkeeper Jamil Kiyimba too deserves credit for being a rock in the posts, he made three important saves in the first half to keep his side in the game, denying Allan Mugalu and Rwothomio twice. 

As it has been throughout the entire season for their away games, Kitara fans came to Wankulukuku in big numbers to back their side and painted the stadium red.

Wankulukuku has also been a good place for the Royals this season. They have been victorious on all three visits. First, beating SC Villa and Express in the league, and now NEC in the final.

Kitara FC fans

Kitara coach Brian Ssenyondo who has now won his first trophy as a coach said that his side deserved to win this cup as consolation for missing out on the league after a good performance in their first season in the topflight. 

"We finished fourth in the league, and nearly won the title, therefore, winning the Uganda Cup trophy is a better consolation for our fans who have been with us the entire season," Ssenyondo noted.

NEC captain Marvin Kavuma admitted that they are the ones to blame for losing this final because they had plenty of chances to beat Kitara and wasted them.

"Football is unfair, we were the better team but we lost the game. Also, if I am, to be honest, we wasted our chances, and Kitara got one and they used it." a disappointed Kavuma admitted. 

Kitara FC players celebrate with their fans

Kitara FC goalkeeper

Both Kitara and NEC made history by playing in the final, it was their first time, and were also two newly promoted sides in the topflight appearing in the final. 

Also, on their way to this stage, they eliminated former winners to prove their critics wrong. 

Kitara, for example, ejected nine-time winners SC Villa and previous holders Vipers SC in the round of 16 and quarterfinals respectively. 

NEC on the other hand, shocked 2022 winners and this season's favourites BUL by ejecting them over both legs in the semifinals. 

By winning the Uganda Cup, Kitara pocketed home shs50m as prize money and a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup football for next season as Uganda's representatives.