Stanbic Uganda Cup 2025/26 (Quarter-finals)          

• Kitara 3-0 Express

Kitara Football Club defeated Express 3-0 in the third quarter final of the 52nd Stanbic Uganda Cup played at the Royal Park in Butema on Easter Sunday.

George Senkaaba scored a brace and Emmanuel Alex Wasswa added the other as Kitara booked them a spot in this knock out cup semi-finals.

Senkaaba opened the scoring in the 27th minute after tapping in the net from close range when Express goalkeeper Hafizi had spilled a header from Tala following Gaddafi Wahabu’s free-kick.

Senkaaba, a former forward at Express found his second goal 7 minutes into the second stanza.

Wasswa, a former captain at Express tormented the former pay masters with the icing on the cake goal in the 85th minute.

“This is a team victory as we now look forward the semi-finals. I thank the sponsors of this tournament Stanbic Bank and Federation of Uganda Football Associations for organizing” Senkaaba who was named as man of the match remarked moments after the game.

In this contest, Kitara players wore black arm bands in honour of the Kikuube district LC V chairperson Hon Peter Araali Banura who died after a road accident.

Kitara joins holders Vipers and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) in the semi-finals.

Vipers eliminated NEC 4-3 in post match penalties after a goalless draw at the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo in normal time and the extra 30 minutes played.

URA ejected KCCA 4-2 also in post match penalties after a 2-all draw stalemate at the Hamz stadium.

The last quarter final will be played on Easter Monday when Sports Club Villa visits Happy Boys Kagaba in Kassanda.

The winner of the Stanbic Uganda Cup books a ticket to represent the country at the CAF Confederation cup.

Team Line ups:

Kitara XI: Meddie Kibirige (G.K), Edward Namasa, Jasper Ahebwa (Captain), Samuel Kato Nemeyimana, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Ssenoga, Yunus Sibira, Gaddafi Wahabu, George Senkaaba, Living Kabon, Jimmy Kalema

Subs: Aziz, Byamukama, Musisi, Isa Lumu, Murushid Juuko, Amir Kakomo, Doka Mweru, Emmanual Asiki, Byarugaba, Emmanuel Alex Wasswa, Patrick Henry Kaddu, Frank Tumwesigye

Head coach: Wasswa Bbosa      

Express XI: Hafizi (G.K), Ronald Onzima, Wambuga, Rwontngeyo, Lubega, Isa Glory, Blanchar Mulamba, Wamala, Mikidadi Ssenyonga, Elvis Ssekajugo

Subs: Kiberu, Adriko, Nyanzi, Kimera, Ali, Herbert, Kisa, Baker Sakah, Muwonge

Head coach: Jimmy Kintu

The post Kitara 3-0 Express: Senkaaba hits a brace as the Royals march to 52nd Stanbic Uganda Cup semi-finals appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

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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