Vipers began title defence against Entebbe UPPC on Friday under the lights of Kitende (Photo by Vipers Media)
David GOMBE
The 2026/27 Uganda Premier League will officially kick off on Friday evening, with defending champions Vipers SC taking on Entebbe UPPC under the lights of St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende at 8PM.
The Venoms come into the new campaign seeking to become the first side since SC Villa to win three league titles in a row in the modern era.
Vipers have the advantage in this fixture, having won both meetings last season 1-0 at Bugonga and 2-0 at Kitende. Overall, Entebbe UPPC (formerly Gaddafi FC) have triumphed only once against Vipers, with the Kitende-based side winning six and drawing once in their previous meetings.
French tactician Denis Lavagne, who replaced Belgian Ivan Jacky Minnaert, will be hoping to begin the Venoms’ title defence on a positive note.
Last term, Abdallah Mubiru led Entebbe UPPC to an impressive fifth-place finish on their return to the top flight and will be aiming to build on that this season.
Vipers come into this contest after a 3-1 win over Kitara in the FUFA Super 8 last weekend and will use this game as a precursor for their CAF Champions League preliminary round clash against Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou next week.
Team News
The visitors are likely to be without Isa Bugembe and Ambrose Kigozi due to fitness issues, while Anwar Ntege, Grant Matsiko, Ahmed Amayo and Julius Poloto are out injured.
Lavagne’s men will look up to Farouk Miya, who will be playing his first league game since his departure ten years ago, while Gusto Mulongo, who has been in fine form during pre-season, will lead the search for goals.
New Vipers signing Nicholas Mwere and Enock Ssebaggala are out of the contest as they continue with their rehabilitation.
Matchday One – Full Fixtures
Friday, August 29, 2026
– Vipers vs Entebbe UPPC – St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende – 8PM
Saturday, August 30, 2026
– KCCA vs NEC – MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo – 4PM
– Blacks Power vs Ntugasaze – Hoima City Stadium – 4PM
– SC Villa vs Kitara – Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku – 4PM [Live TV]
– Lugazi vs Kigezi HomeBoyz – Lugazi FC Stadium, Najjembe – 4PM
– Police vs Mbarara City – Kira Police Arena, Kamwokya – 4PM
– UPDF vs Kataka – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo – 7PM
Sunday, August 31, 2026
– BUL vs Express – FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru – 4PM
– Maroons vs URA – Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku – 4PM