Football
Talking points: Three winners and losers of UPL Matchday 19

The Uganda Premier League always brings plenty of talking points, and match day 19 was no exception. Across Friday and Saturday, there were strong performances and a few disappointing displays that caught attention.
Some players stepped up and made a real difference for their teams, delivering goals, assists and important moments. At the same time, a few others struggled to make an impact and left supporters expecting more.
Here is the look at the talking points from the match day as we focus on winners and losers.
WINNERS
Vipers SC
Champions Vipers were the biggest winners on match day 19 edging hosts Mbarara City 2-1 in Kamwenge.
Yunus Sentamu got the winner after Tom Kakaire had cancelled out a first half goal from Usama Arafat.
If the Ankole Lions held on for a draw, Vipers’ title ambitions would have suffered a dent.
The result takes the Venoms four point ahead of second placed Kitara at the top of the table giving them more control in the title race.
KCCA FC
For the third time in a row, KCCA picked maximum points beating Police 2-1 at Lugogo with goals from Herbert Achai and Said Mayanja.
The first half performance was superb, arguably the best at Lugogo this season and they stay five points adrift of Vipers in third place.
NEC
NEC continues steady rise after beating Lugazi 2-0 away with Samuel Ssekamatte getting a brace.
That result saw the Bugolobi based side improve their points tally to 30 and close in on top five.
LOSERS
Kitara
Kabon Living late penalty salvaged a point for Kitara at UPDF but it was two points lost in the title race.
Kitara missed an opportunity of moving to the top then and put more pressure on Vipers before they faced Mbarara City.
SC Villa
SC Villa’s title ambitions continued to fade following a frustrating stalemate with traditional rivals Express at Kadiba.
That result leaves the record champions nine points off the summit, with a game in hand though (waiting for a decision from the abandoned Calvary match).
Meanwhile, Villa has one two wins in the previous six matches [D3, L1]
Mbarara City
The Ankole Lions are still fighting for their lives and after holding on to a point against Vipers, they will be hurt to drop all three points.
That defeat leaves Mbarara City with 15 points, just two ahead of sides occupying the top spot in relegation.
The post Talking points: Three winners and losers of UPL Matchday 19 appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
Football
Uganda Cranes midfielder Al-Hassan moves to Turkey

Uganda Cranes midfielder Baba Al-Hassan has joined Turkish entity Madrin 1969 Spor Club on a two-year deal.
Al Hassan, 26, joins the Turkish side from FCSB in Romania where he spent two seasons, scoring twice in 72 appearances.
We wish Baba Alhassan, who we believe will make significant contributions to our goals with his experience, character and quality, a career full of success under our red-navy blue jersey and hope that he will be beneficial to our community
Mardin 1969 Spor statement

Born in Accra, Ghana; the holding midfielder commenced his career at African Talent Football Academy before joining Real Valladolid in 2019.
He played for Real Valladolid B between 2018 and 2019 before crossed to Romania’s Hermannstadt as a free agent in 2020.
Al Hassan is capped five times for Uganda Cranes. He was part of the 25-man final squad that represented Uganda at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

For starters, Mardin Sports Club was founded in 1969 after a merger of Kalespor, Timurspor, Mezopotamyaspor and Genclikspor teams.
The Red and Navy blue colour themed entity hosts their home games at the 5700 seater 21 Kasim Stadium in Mardin.
They won the league title in the 2003/04 season.
The post Uganda Cranes midfielder Al-Hassan moves to Turkey appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
Football
Uganda Cranes’ utility player Semakula joins Egyptian giants Al Ittihad Alexandria

Uganda Cranes international Kenneth Semakula has completed a move to Al Ittihad Alexandria.
The defender-cum-midfielder has been a free agent since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Adalah earlier this year.

The former Sports Club Villa player now begins a new chapter in Egypt.
He comes along to Al Ittihad Alexandria with valuable experience from spells in Uganda, Tunisia, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

After a youthful career at Vipers Sports Club, Semakula has since featured for Busoga United, BUL and Sports Club in Uganda.
He then crossed to Club Africain in Tunisia and played for Al-Arabi (Kuwait) and lately Al-Adalah in Saudi Arabia.
Semakula is capped 23 times for the Uganda Cranes since 2021.
The post Uganda Cranes’ utility player Semakula joins Egyptian giants Al Ittihad Alexandria appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
Football
Garde Republicaine player claims he has never heard of Vipers before Kagame Cup

Friday July 24, 2026 – Amahoro stadium, Kigali
- Vipers vs Garde Republicaine 4pm
- APR vs Gor Mahia 8pm
Liban Mohamed has stoked the fire ahead of Garde Republicaine Cecafa Kagame Cup clash with Uganda’s Vipers revealing it is the first time he has heard about the club.
The two sides are in Group A alongside former winners APR of Rwanda and Kenya’s Gor Mahia in the 2026 tournament with the group winners assured of a semi-final berth.
Speaking to the press on pre-match, Liban said; “I am not going to tell you what will happen tomorrow because we are all footballers but we shall try to play and win.
“Maybe they are a big team (Vipers) but I have never heard about them (Vipers) but we are respecting the team.”
Garde Republicaine finished third in the Djibouti league and only got to know of their participation in the Kagame Cup just a fortnight ago and the coach Sahal Ahmed reveals that he had to call players from their vacations to prepare for the tournament.
“Most of our players were on vacation before we learned that we would participate in this tournament. We have only had two weeks to prepare but I can guarantee that we will be here to compete and give our opponents a tough challenge,” said Ahmed.
Garde Republicaine have won only the league in Djibouti twice (2020 & 2023) while Vipers have eight titles and they are the third most successful side in Uganda Premier League only behind SC Villa and KCCA who are on 17 and 13 titles respectively.
The Venoms have also played in the group stages of the Caf Champions League but have never won the Kagame Cup with Villa (3), KCCA (2), Express and Police with one title each the other Ugandan club winners.
Besides the two sides in Group A, Rwanda’s APR and Kenya’s Gor Mahia will battle for top spot.
The post Garde Republicaine player claims he has never heard of Vipers before Kagame Cup appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
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