The Uganda Cup and Uganda Premier League reigning champions must regroup quickly after being eliminated from the Uganda Cup by Kitara on penalties (5-4) on Sunday 14, April 2024.

The Venom's double cup dream for this season was ended by a team that seemed ready for any fight until the end, but Vipers still have the UPL title in reach.

On 42 points in the third position and a game in hand, Vipers must course correct to push Kitara and BUL in the first and second position to the edge and also keep Sports Club Villa off their tail who are in fourth on the table. 

Vipers are known for punching above their weight especially when the season is not in their favour but their complicated relationship with managers this season once again could see their title of winning a second UPL title in a row go up in flames. 

No one can predict how the UPL title or season in general will end as it has been the case since the first game of the season, therefore is a complicated question to answer right now. 

Lawrence Mulindwa takes pride in his hire and fire philosophy and how it has handed him the results and trophies he desires at the end of the season despite several changes in the dugout. 

From the outlook, it gives less security to the admirers of the job at the Kitende side and makes them less special, with that attitude, many managers who are hired at Vipers perform under pressure knowing any room for error they will be sent packing. 

What is the essence of hiring people who will not make a mark for the full season? It is not just a Vipers problem only in the Super League, many UPL managers have had a fair share of the sacking, however, what makes Vipers the masters, is that it is as easy as cooking rice and somehow it is a structure they are comfortable with.

Vipers have embraced the chaos and escaped it many times but what begs the question, can they dodge the bullet this season with head coach Livingstone Mbabazi leaving with only eight games left to end the season? 

The mad ending to their defeat to Kitara at Masindi Stadium on Sunday was bruising enough for Vipers to learn from their mistakes before they make the same trip on Friday this week, a match-up that will define both team's season.