Vipers begin title defence of expanded Uganda Premier League
The new season comes with several significant changes, most notably the expansion of the league from 16 to 18 teams. Blacks Power, Ntugasaze, Kigezi Home Boyz and Kataka are the four sides promoted from the FUFA Big League.
Vipers pictured in training at St Mary's Stadium this week ahead of Friday's league opener. (Courtesy Photo)
The 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season gets underway today, Friday, with defending champions Vipers hosting Entebbe UPPC at St Mary's Stadium, Kitende, under the floodlights in what promises to be the start of a highly competitive campaign.
The new season comes with several significant changes, most notably the expansion of the league from 16 to 18 teams. Blacks Power, Ntugasaze, Kigezi Home Boyz and Kataka are the four sides promoted from the FUFA Big League.
For Kataka, Kigezi and Ntugasaze, it will be their first-ever appearance in the top flight after several years of trying unsuccessfully to earn promotion. Their arrival, together with the return of Blacks Power, is expected to add fresh competition and excitement to the league.
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the season is the shortage of playing venues that meet the requirements of the FUFA Licensing Committee. As a result, several clubs will share stadiums for their home matches in the first round.
Hamz Stadium Nakivubo will serve as the home ground for URA, Express, UPDF and Entebbe UPPC, while Police and newly promoted Ntugasaze will share Kira Road Arena in Kamwokya.
Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, will remain the home of KCCA and NEC, while Hoima City Stadium, one of the facilities being developed ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, will host Kitara and Blacks Power.
Record champions SC Villa and Maroons will share Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, while Kigezi and Mbarara City will use Rwamwanja Stadium in Kamwenge District.
BUL will continue hosting their matches at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, Lugazi will play at Lugazi Stadium, Najjembe; while Vipers will remain at their traditional home, St Mary's Stadium, Kitende.
Only Hamz Stadium Nakivubo and St Mary's Stadium, Kitende, have been licensed to host night matches during the first round of the league.
The new campaign will also see a number of clubs begin life under new coaches. Vipers, Lugazi, UPDF, Kigezi, Blacks Power, Kataka, Express, URA, Mbarara City and Ntugasaze have all made changes in their technical departments.
The Venoms are now under Frenchman Denis Lavagne, the only foreign coach in the league. Jimmy Kintu has taken charge of URA, Morley Byekwaso is the new Express coach, Francis Mugerwa is at Mbarara City, while former NEC coach Hussein Mbalangu has joined UPDF.
Pius Ngabo is in charge of Ntugasaze, Simon Peter Mugerwa leads Blacks Power, Robert Mukasa is at Kataka, Abbey Bogere Kikomeko will guide Lugazi, while Kefa Kisala has been appointed Kigezi coach.
Several clubs, however, have retained their coaches. Brian Ssenyondo remains at KCCA, Badru Kaddu is in charge of NEC, Matia Lule continues at Police, Alex Isabirye is still with BUL, while Serbian Zeljko Kovacevic remains Villa coach.
Vipers head coach Denis Lavagne. (Courtesy Photo)
The 2026/27 campaign carries even greater significance because it is the domestic season leading into the 2027 Pamoja Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania between June and July next year.
With the tournament being played on home soil, Uganda Cranes players and aspiring internationals will know that national team coach Paul Put will be closely monitoring performances.
The league will therefore provide players with a major opportunity to push for places in the Belgian tactician's squad for one of the biggest tournaments in Uganda's football history.
The transfer window has also produced plenty of movement, with clubs strengthening their squads in the hope of challenging for honours or avoiding relegation. Fans will be eager to see how the new signings settle into their respective teams.
Vipers have particularly generated excitement following the return of prolific forwards Cesar Manzoki and Farouk Miya.
The champions will be hoping that the two experienced attackers can play a major role as they attempt to retain the title.\
KCCA, meanwhile, will enter the season with renewed confidence after ending their trophy drought by winning the FUFA Super 8. The Kasasiro Boys will now be targeting the Uganda Premier League title, which they last won in 2019.
Express have also enjoyed a busy pre-season, signing several players and securing new sponsorship deals.
After enduring several challenges on and off the pitch over the past three seasons, the Red Eagles appear determined to return to competing among the league's stronger sides.
The title race is expected to feature defending champions Vipers, KCCA, Villa, Kitara and NEC, although other clubs could emerge as serious challengers as the season progresses.
Competition is also expected to be fierce at the bottom of the table, with four teams set to be relegated at the end of the season.
Day matches will kick off at 4 pm, while night games not televised live will start at 7 pm. Matches selected for live television coverage will kick off at 8 pm.
Friday, 8pm
Vipers v Entebbe UPPC
Saturday, 4pm
SC Villa v Kitara
Blacks Power v Ntugasaze
KCCA v NEC
Lugazi v Kigezi
Police v Mbarara
UPDF v Kataka (7pm)
Sunday, 4pm
BUL v Express
Maroons v URA