URA end winless run with crucial victory over Mbarara City

URA FC finally ended their long wait for a Uganda Premier League (UPL) victory under head coach Hussein Mbalangu with a hard-earned 2-0 win over Mbarara City at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo on Wednesday.

The Tax Collectors had gone 10 league matches without a win and were yet to taste victory in the six league games since Mbalangu’s appointment last December. But goals from defender Ronald Otti and midfielder Moses Waiswa ensured the drought came to an end in challenging circumstances.

Otti broke the deadlock in the 35th minute before Waiswa calmly converted from the penalty spot eight minutes later to double URA’s advantage. The match was played under difficult conditions following a heavy afternoon downpour that left parts of the pitch waterlogged and forced a temporary stoppage. Despite the slippery surface and disrupted rhythm, URA showed resilience to protect their lead and secure all three points.

During their nine-game winless run prior to this victory, URA had suffered five defeats and drawn four. Under Mbalangu, the team had registered four draws and two losses before finally getting over the line against Mbarara City.

The result lifts URA to 18 points from 18 matches, moving them into 10th position on the table and three points clear of the relegation zone. The win will significantly ease pressure on Mbalangu as he seeks to stabilise the side in the second half of the season.

Elsewhere, the title race continues to gather pace with Vipers SC and Kitara FC maintaining their impressive form. Vipers cruised to a 3-0 victory over Lugazi at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, courtesy of goals from Rogers Torach, Arafat Usama and Odili Chukwuma. Kitara responded with a composed 2-0 triumph over UPPC Entebbe at Royals Park in Butema, Hoima City, with Gadafi Wahab and Living Kabon finding the net.

After 18 matches, defending champions Vipers sit top with 41 points, just two ahead of second-placed Kitara on 39, underlining what is increasingly shaping into a two-horse title race.

At Kira Road Arena, Police FC suffered a second consecutive home defeat after falling 2-0 to BUL FC. Ibrahim Orit struck twice to hand the Eastern Giants a deserved win. Meanwhile, NEC continued their impressive run with a 1-0 victory over UPDF at Lugogo, Innocent Media netting the decisive goal to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 matches in all competitions and lift them to seventh on 27 points.