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Three talking points from UPL match day 27

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The StarTimes Uganda Premier league into the final bend and twists and turns still expected at both ends of the table.

However, Vipers remain firmly in charge, Calvary resurgence and NEC’s extended unbeaten run remain the major talking points as Ismael Kiyonga highlights.

Vipers continue falter but rivals fail to take advantage

Vipers remain prime favourites to lift the 2025/26 title but their form in recent matches has left their fans with dissatisfaction.

The Kitende based side top the log with 60 points, five points ahead of second placed KCCA but have won just two matches in six previous outings.

Ivan Jacky Minnaert Credit: John Batanudde

In that sequence, Vipers have been held by Kitara (0-0), Villa (1-1), KCCA (1-1) and URA (1-1) and only beat bottom of the table Buhimba United Saints (2-0) and Entebbe UPPC (3-0).

However, the chasing pack have failed to capitalise with Villa dropping points to BUL, Kitara and earlier in contested results at home to Express (0-0) and Police (1-0) defeat.

KCCA failed to beat Calvary, lost to Villa and drew with Vipers while Kitara faltered in matches against Vipers, KCCA, Calvary and NEC leaving them six points adrift with only nine points to fight for.

Calvary resurgence – too little too late?

Calvary didn’t win any league until match day twenty-two when they beat Buhimba United Saints 2-0 at Midigo in Yumbe.

Lawrence Olaboro celebrates a goal for Calvary away at Kigezi Home Boyz in Kabale in the FBL

Since then, Calvary has only lost one game (2-0 away to Entebbe UPPC), won three and drawn twice including holding Kitara and beating KCCA.

They moved from bottom to 15th on the log and with 16 points now, they are only five points below the safety positions. Can they survive or it is too little too late? Nine points to fight for.

NEC resilience highlights Kaddu’s impact

Since their 2-1 defeat to KCCA on December 12, 2025, NEC are unbeaten in the league.

The Bugolobi based side have now gone 18-league matches unbeaten and, in all competitions, lost to only Vipers on penalties after drawing 0-0 in extra time in the quarter finals of the Stanbic Uganda Cup.

Badru Kaddu | Credit: John Batanudde

During that period, they have won 11 matches, and drawn seven and have kept 11 successive clean sheets.

They have risen to 5th on the log with 48 points, just four points off top four.

With matches against Buhimba, Villa and away to Calvary, they can stretch that run to over 21.

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Vipers braced for most difficult game against Gor Mahia – Lavagne

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Monday July 27, 2026

  • Pele stadium, Kigali 4pm [EAT]

Denis Lavagne still maintains that Vipers’ main target is the start of the season in Uganda when his side face Kitara in the Fufa Super Cup on August 23 but remain braced for Gor Mahia clash.

The Cecafa Kagame Cup Group A clash at Pele stadium, Kigali pits two sides who won their opening two matches and a win could secure them a place in the semi-final.

Vipers saw off Djibouti’s Garde Republicaine 3-0 while Gor Mahia humiliated hosts APR 5-0 in their first game.

Lavagne expects a difficult game against the Kenyan giants who will be slight favourites in the tie.

“We are not yet 100-percent but we are here to continue with progress,” started Lavagne.

“We have a difficult game tomorrow (Monday) because Gor Mahia is a good team and won the first game so it is good test for our players.

“But I think the players want to show progress and I expect a better game than the first because despite victory, we didn’t play so well especially after the first half yet I want consistent.

“The target for me remains the August 23 Fufa Super Cup game in Uganda but we hope to win tomorrow and progress to the semi-final.”

K’Ogalo were ruthless against APR and Lavagne says this is the most difficult game in the group.

“We have to work hard and improve many things. Gor Mahia is the most difficult in the group but the players are motivated and we shall do all it takes to win.”

With APR likely to overcome Garde Republicaine in the later game, both Gor Mahia and Vipers need victory to enlighten chances of reaching the last four.

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Uganda Cranes midfielder Al-Hassan moves to Turkey

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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.

Baba Al-Hassan being unveiled at Mardin 1969 Spor

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.

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Uganda Cranes’ utility player Semakula joins Egyptian giants Al Ittihad Alexandria

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 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.

Kenneth Semakula celebrates a Uganda Cranes victory Credit: CAF

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.

Kenneth Semakula (middle) with the club officials

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.

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