The death and resurrection of Christ gifted Ugandan football lovers a compelling Uganda Cup Quarterfinal clash between defending champions Vipers SC and NEC FC.

At the time the fixture was announced, many anticipated a high-octane encounter between two of the most in-form sides, expected to deliver fireworks and send fans into the Easter weekend in high spirits. However, the match failed to live up to that billing.

Both regulation time and extra time produced little in terms of clear-cut excitement, ultimately leading to a penalty shootout, as provided for under Law 10 of the Laws of the Game and the competition regulations.

The defining moment of the match arose during the penalty shootout. Vipers SC’s Abdul Karim Watambala accidentally slipped while striking his penalty, resulting in an accidental double contact with the ball. The ball entered the goal, but the match referee, FIFA referee Lucky Razake Kasalirwe, assisted by FIFA Assistant Referee Hakim Mulindwa, Assistant Referee Ivan Lubwama (National Elite Referee), and Fourth Official Ronald Kikabi, correctly ordered a retake.

This decision sparked widespread debate among fans, many of whom questioned its correctness. However, a proper reading of the Laws of the Game as amended by IFAB for the 2025/2026 season provides clear guidance.

If a player taking a penalty kick accidentally touches the ball twice and the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken. If the ball does not enter the goal, it is not retaken and play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team (or recorded as a miss in kicks from the penalty mark). A deliberate double touch is always penalized with an indirect free kick and the kick is not retaken.

IFAB

This clarification was introduced in the 2025/2026 edition of the Laws to uphold fairness. It recognises that accidental actions such as slipping should not unjustly disadvantage a player, while still maintaining firm sanctions against deliberate attempts to gain an unfair advantage. In this instance, Watambala’s action was clearly accidental, and therefore, the decision to order a retake was fully in line with the law.

Another point of contention among supporters concerned the choice of the goal used for the shootout. Some argued that the selected end disadvantaged their team. However, the Laws are equally explicit on this matter.

If the scores are level at the end of the match and competition rules require a winner, the referee conducts a coin toss to decide which goal will be used for the kicks and which team will take the first kick. A second coin toss is then made, and the team that wins the toss chooses whether to take the first or second kick.

IFAB

This procedure, formally reinforced in 2017, was designed to enhance neutrality, eliminate external influences, and ensure fairness in determining the outcome of matches decided by kicks from the penalty mark.

In conclusion, the officiating team demonstrated commendable competence and adherence to the Laws of the Game. Fresh from their recent international engagements, referees Lucky Razake Kasalirwe and Hakim Mulindwa, Ivan Lubwama, and Ronald Kikabi deserve praise for correctly interpreting and applying the laws under pressure.

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FUFA Big League 2025/26 (Match Day 22 Results):

• Kigezi Home Boyz 2-1 Nebbi Central
• Kiyinda Boys 3-0 Onduparaka
• Bunyaruguru United 3-0 Young Elephants
• Wakiso Giants 2-1 Iganga United
• Kataka 2-0 CATDA
• Ntugasaze 1-0 Blacks Power
• Soltilo Bright Stars 1-1 Mbale Heroes
• Kaaro Karungi 1-1 Paidha Black Angels

Kigezi Home Boyz Football Club returned to the top of the table standings for the 2025/26 FUFA Big League.

This followed a 2-1 slim victory over Nebbi Central at the Kigezi Al-Madina stadium in Kabale on Easter Sunday, 5th April 2026.

January signings Henry Kitegenyi and Dominic Abonga scored the goals for the hosts who are coached by Sadiq Sempigi.

This was the first goal at the club for Kitegenyi as Abonga registered his fifth.

Kigezi Home Boyz now has 42 points, three better than second placed Blacks Power who lost 0-1 on the road to Ntugasaze at Kavumba Recreational stadium.

Ntugasaze scored through Isaac Kiberu in the 52nd minute, climbing to third position with 37 points.

Away in Mbale city, Kataka overcame visiting CATDA 2-0, getting to 37 points, fourth on the log.

Paidha Black Angels dropped to fifth place after the 1-all draw with Kaaro Karungi at the Kyamatte playground in Ntungamo.

Wakiso Giants eased their relegation brave fight with a 2-1 home win over Iganga United at the Hamz stadium (Nakivubo war memorial grounds) in the heart of Kampala city.

The Purple Sharks now has 26 points, as Iganga United remains on 25 points.

Elsewhere, Bunyaruguru United humbled Young Elephants 3-0 at the Nyamambuka playground.

y Sadiq Sempigi. They are at home against 8th placed Nebbi Central (currently on 28 points) at the Kigezi Al Madina stadium in Kabale district.

Kiyinda Boys hammered Onduparaka 3-0 at Bethelem in the one-sided duel.

Julius Muzerwa opened the scoring business two minutes to the half hour mark.

Veteran forward Frank Kalanda and Michael Kimera each added the other in the 69th and 72nd minutes respectively.

Kiyinda Boys climbed to 6th position with 32 points, ten off the leaders Kigezi Home Boyz.

At the lake side Maroons stadium in Luzira, Mbale Heroes earned a point off Soltilo Bright Stars during the 1-all stalemate.

Soltilo Bright Stars scored the opener for Ronald Bithum Nsumbiano in the opening half.

Abraham Okello buried home a penalty for Mbale Heroes’ equalizer after goalkeeper Aslam Muhindo brought down David William Omary in the forbidden area.

Mbale Heroes missed a glorious opportunity to score through Gerald Hamya who fluffed a chance inside the goal area.

The top four clubs will earn direct promotional slots to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

In the same vein, the bottom four shall be relegated down to the respective regional leagues.

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Uganda Cup 2025/26 (Quarterfinal)            

• URA 2 (4) – 2 (2) KCCA

URA Football Club recovered from two goals down to outsmart KCCA FC and march to the semifinals of the 2025/26 Stanbic Uganda Cup at Hamz Stadium (Nakivubo War Memorial grounds) on Saturday.

Normal time of this enticing duel ended 2-goals apiece before the additional 30 minutes of extra time failed to produce any further goals.

During the tense shootout, URA won 4-2 with goalkeeper Muhammed Ssekebba saving two penalties.

Joseph Ssemujju, Captain Moses Aliro Okabo, Ronald Otti and Isma Mugulusi scored for URA in the post-match penalties as Dissan Galiwango missed his shot.

KCCA scored through Joel Sserunjogi and Ashraf Mugume, whilst Herbert Achayi and Enock Walusimbi’s weak shots were saved by goalkeeper Ssekebba.

In the 90 minutes, Saidi Mayanja and captain Herbert Achai scored for KCCA whilst John Innocent Kisolo and Ronald Otti replied for URA under sunny weather conditions.

John Innocent Kisolo scored the first of URA’s goals before defender Ronald Otti got the equaliser on the stroke of full-time with a glancing header.

Mayanja set the ball rolling with an early goal in four minutes to light the ball rolling for the Lugogo-based side.

URA called for a first-half change when midfielder Hudu Mulikyi paved the way for Isma Mugulusi.

KCCA’s Joel Sserunjogi picked up a caution for tripping down Fred Amaku.

Achayi executed a decent free-kick over the wall and past the diving goalkeeper Muhammed Ssekebba to double KCCA’s lead on 54 minutes.

URA called for a double change in the 64th minute. Bruno Bunyaga and Norman Namanya replaced Moses Waiswa and James Penz Begisa, respectively.

The second water break of the game happened at the 70th minute mark before John Innocent Kisolo received a caution for a foul on Jjara.

KCCA called for a double change; Saidi Mayanja paved way for Ashraf Mugume, and Rogers Mugisha came on for Alex Yiga.

On the 84th minute mark, John Innocent Kisolo scored from 45 yards with a long-range shot that evaded goalkeeper Mutwalibu Mugolofa to give hope for the tax collectors.

Inside the final five minutes, URA brought on the fresh legs of Olimi Nyarwa Bitanywaine for Fred Amaku.

At the same time, Ivan Ahimisibwe came off for Emmanuel Anyama and Sammy Ssebaduka was rested for Sharifu Ssengendo.

URA pushed numbers upfront in a desperate quest to find the equaliser, a move that handsomely paid off.

Otti out-jumped the KCCA defenders to nod home the equaliser in the third of the four added minutes to send the game to extra time of 30 minutes.

In the second half of extra time, Olimi was stretchered off after a knock and moments later, Ashraf Mugume missed a big moment to bury the game, but his first touch on the ball disappointed him.

KCCA’s Sharifu Ssengendo collided with an opponent and was stretchered off for Hudson Mezui.

Mezui had a cross blocked in the last piece of action of extra time before penalties were taken.

How the penalties unfolded:

URA took the first penalty, scoring through Joseph Ssemujju. Joel Sserunjogi replied for KCCA with the equalizer.

Dissan Galiwango missed his kick, saved by goalkeeper Mutwalibu Mugolofa. Herbert Achayi’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Muhammed Ssekeba.

URA captain Moses Aliro Okabo sent Mugolofa the wrong way to give the tax collectors the lead 2-1.

Ashraf Mugume equalized 2-all. Defender Ronald Otti restored URA’s lead 3-2.

Enock Walusimbi missed his kick, another save by Ssekebba. URA now remained with one chance: to score and win the contest.

Isma Mugulusi did exactly that, sending Mugolofa the wrong way to stroll URA through to the semi-finals.

URA joins Vipers in the semifinals. Vipers defeated NEC 4-3 in post-match penalties after a goalless draw in normal time at the MTN Omondi Stadium.

There were wild celebrations from the URA players, officials and fans in the stands with agony for KCCA.

The third quarter final of the 52nd Stanbic Uganda Cup will happen on Easter Sunday as Kitara hosts Express at the Butema Royal Park in Hoima city.

On Easter Monday, Sports Club Villa travels to Kassanda District to face Happy Boys Kagaba.

Team Line Ups:

URA XI: Muhamad Ssekkeba (G.K), James Penz Begisa, Dissan Galiwango, Ronald Otti, Joseph Bright Vuni, John Innocent Kisolo, Hudu Mulikyi, Moses Waiswa Ndhondhi, Joseph Ssemujju, Moses Aliro Okabo (Captain), Fred Amaku

Subs: Chrispas Kusiima (G.K), Derrick Ochan (G.K), Justine Opiro, Joshua Lubwama Letti, Ibrahim Wamannah, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Norman Namanya, Isma Mugulusi, Bruno Junior Bunyaga, Derrick Kakooza, Godfrey Ssekibengo, Olimi Nyarwa Bitanywaine

Head coach: Hussein Mbalangu

KCCA XI: Mutwalibu Mugolofa (G.K), Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Filbert Obenchan, Herbert Achayi, Enock Walusimbi, Jjara, Sammy R. Ssebaduka, Joel Sserunjogi, Alex Yiga, Saidi Mayanja, Ivan Ahimbisibwe

Subs: Charles Lukwago, Emojong, Mezui, Emmanuel Anyama, Muhamud Hassan, Etienne Katenga, Alpha Thierry Ssali, Yuan, Rogers Mugisha, Shafik Nana Kwikiriza, Sharifu Ssengendo, Ashraf Mugume

Co-coaches: Brian Ssenyondo & Jackson Magera

Center Referee: William Oloya

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