Police out to derail Vipers' title charge in Kavumba

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Uganda Premier League

Thursday
Police vs Vipers (4pm)
Lugazi vs Express (4pm)
BUL vs Kitara (7pm)

Friday
Wakiso vs NEC (4pm)
URA vs UPDF (7pm)

Police FC will have a major say in the Uganda Premier League title race when they host table-toppers Vipers SC on Thursday at Kavumba Recreation Grounds in Wakiso District.

Vipers lead the standings with 43 points, three ahead of second-placed NEC, with both teams having played 18 matches. Meanwhile, Police sits in 13th place with 20 points, seven clear of the relegation zone.

The first meeting between the two sides last October at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, was a closely contested affair. Vipers won 2-1, thanks to an Allan Okello brace. James Obedi had equalised for Police in the 51st minute, but Okello’s 81st-minute strike sealed all three points for the Venoms.

Police’s Home Form and Fighting Spirit

Police’s last home fixture was a dramatic 1-1 draw against NEC last month. NEC seemed poised for victory before Emmanuel Mugume’s injury-time equaliser salvaged a point for the hosts. Earlier in the season, Police also frustrated NEC at Lugogo, holding them to a goalless draw—the first time Hussein Mbalangu’s side dropped points at home.

Vipers head into Thursday’s encounter in red-hot form, having lost just once in 20 matches across all competitions. Allan Okello, the league’s top scorer with 14 goals, remains their biggest attacking threat. 

While Vipers are favourites, Police will be eager to fight, especially as they still face relegation concerns and remain bitter about Okello’s controversial winner in the first leg, which they claimed was offside.

A key subplot to watch is Isaac Ogwang, who joined Vipers from Police in January. The forward has been sidelined with injuries since moving to Kitende, but he resumed training this week. If cleared by the medical team, he could feature against his former club.

Police has struggled to replace Ogwang, who had scored six goals before his departure. Gerald Ogweti is now their main striker and is expected to lead the attack alongside Denis Kalanzi. Ogweti was on target in Police’s 1-1 draw against Mbale Heroes in their last league outing.

For Vipers, Okello will spearhead the attack alongside Yunus Sentamu and Kenneth Kimera as they aim to extend their lead. In their last match, Okello’s 66th-minute penalty secured a 1-0 win over Mbarara City at Kitende.

A Vipers victory on Thursday will stretch their lead to six points, putting pressure on NEC, who play Wakiso Giants on Friday at Kabaka Kyabaggu Grounds.

Elsewhere on Thursday, Lugazi FC looks to bounce back from a 2-0 loss to NEC when they host Express FC in Najjembe. 

Their last meeting in October saw Lugazi make history with a 1-0 win at Hamz Stadium, under interim coach Oliver Mbekeka, the first woman to manage a men’s team in the Uganda Premier League. Sam Ssemugugu’s goal sealed that victory, which ultimately led to the sacking of Express coach Baker Mbowa.

Express, however, comes into this fixture on a high after thrashing Wakiso Giants 4-1, with forward Sam Ssenyonjo netting his first senior hat-trick.