Morley Byekwaso’s Express FC lost to BUL on his debut. Photo/Express FC media
Sinan RAJUB SENOGA
The 2026/27 season of the Uganda Premier League officially kicked off with Match Day one that stretched from Friday evening to Sunday with a total of nine games played.
Swift Sports breaks down the concluded Match Day bringing to record what Facts and Figures say;
18 teams after 16 years
For the first time in 16 years, the Uganda Premier League has 18 teams competing. The 2009/10 campaign was the last time we had 18 teams which were then trimmed to 14 the following season.
It was confirmed that four teams will be relegated at the end of this season and only two will be promoted from the FUFA Big League.
An own goal as the season opener
Vipers Congolese defender Kevin Bady Dasylva became the first player to score the first goal of the season in his own net since Sadolin’s Paul Kisige in the 2015/16 season against KCCA FC.
Dasylva was unfortunate to connect Thomas Ochungo’s cross into his own net in the 33rd minute and ultimately gave Entebbe UPPC FC an edge over Vipers.
Vipers, KCCA lose on the same Match Day
Both Vipers and KCCA lost on the same match day for the first time since 20th December 2022 when both sides lost 1-0 to Busoga United and Soltilo Bright Stars respectively.
A very rare scenario that last happened 132 match-days ago. Four seasons later, defeated!
Debutants on the score sheet
Cromwell Rwothomio and Livingstone Mulondo delivered an important 2-1 win for Lugazi FC over resilient newcomers Kigezi Homeboyz.
Ivan Mayanja who recently moved to Police FC from Maroons scored the lone goal on his league debut as the Cops edged Mbarara City at the Kira Road Police Arena.
Goals Scored
A total of 14 goals were scored in the nine games played, with UPDF FC vs Kataka FC the only contest that ended goalless.
Lugazi FC, NEC FC and URA FC were the only teams that managed to score two goals.
11 new head coaches
11 different clubs have appointed new head coaches ahead of the season kick-off.
These are; Denis Lavagne (Vipers), Simon Peter Mugerwa (Blacks Power), Pius Ngabo (Ntugasaze), Abbey Bogere Kikomeko (Lugazi), Kefa Kisala (Kigezi Homeboyz), Francis Mugerwa (Mbarara City), Hussein Mbalangu (UPDF), Robert Mukasa (Kataka FC), Morley Byekwaso (Express) and Jimmy Kintu (URA FC).
Morley Byekwaso joins the Historical Class
Morley Byekwaso became the sixth coach in Ugandan football history to coach all the three VEK clubs after debuting in Express’ 1-0 defeat to BUL FC on Sunday.
He joined the historical list that consists of Asuman Lubowa, Sam Ssimbwa, Polly Ouma, David Otti and Moses Basena.
First player to be booked
Entebbe UPPC new signing Ronald Kayondo became the first player to get booked this season after seeing yellow in the stoppage time at Kitende.
Match Day One Results
• Vipers 0-1 Entebbe UPPC
• Blacks Power 1-0 Ntugasaze
• Lugazi 2-1 Kigezi Homeboyz
• Police 1-0 Mbarara City
• SC Villa 1-1 Kitara
• KCCA FC 0-2 NEC FC
• UPDF FC 0-0 Kataka
• BUL FC 1-0 Express
• Maroons 1-2 URA FC