Vipers vs Villa match abandoned following crowd trouble in Buikwe

By James Bakama, Douglas Mazune, Bruno Mugooda and Mukasa Kivumbi

Super League results

Simba 0 SCVU 1

Proline 1 KCCA 0

Vipers v Villa (abandoned)

Bright Stars 0 Express 0

Masaka 0 Soana 0

BUL Bidco 0 Kira Young 1

Entebbe 1 Police 4

URA 4 CRO 0

SEVERAL people were seriously injured and property destroyed yesterday after the Vipers versus SC Villa FUFA Uganda Super League match in Buikwe flared into running battles.

Fans, angered by what they described as biased officiation by referee William Senkumba, stoned fourth official Ronald Kiringwa not only causing first half abandonment of the match, but also sparking off battles in Buikwe town.

Calm was only restored after rounds of bullets and tear gas were fi red by anti-riot police. Kiringwa, bleeding profusely on the head, was saved by the police. 

“We had to rush from Lugazi to quell the situation. The situation is now under control,” said Benson Ombworoh, the officer in charge of the operation.

As bullets were being fired in Buikwe, reigning champions KCCA were also being ambushed at their own backyard. Second half substitute Kamada “Ndiefi ” Ssebagala netted the crucial winner 10 minutes after being introduced.

But it was the hosts who dominated play with numerous raids. As coach George Nsimbe got increasingly frustrated, he brought on goalkeeper Salim Jamal as a forward.

Despite playing in an unusual position Jamal did excite the home fans with fine dribbles. KCCA were visibly missing the input of their lead strikers Herman Wasswa who recently left for Vietnam and Tony Odur.

Elsewhere, Sports Club Victoria University parted ways with coach Alex Isabirye but still went on to secure an away win. They beat army side Simba to remain at the top of the 16 team table. 

Isaac Muleme curled in the winner off an 80th minute free kick at Bombo military barracks.