Football
Where will your club finish? Ismael Kiyonga’s 2026/27 UPL prediction
Having confidently announced that Vipers were to be champions last season, the prediction came to reality as they ended as winners.
In the same season, I predicted Spain to be World Champions, Senegal to win the Afcon and Arsenal to clinch the English Premier League.
A lot has changed going into this season with two extra teams promoted to make it 18, making this season arguably the toughest to predict.
[1] KCCA
Last season: 2nd
The Kasasiro have not won the league since 2019 and only ended their seven-year wait for any silverware by clinching the Fufa Super 8. They look to be in perfect shape going into the campaign and I have a feeling they can win the title.
Brian Ssenyondo’s side have added quality to the squad with the arrival of Ibrahim Kasule, Charles Lwanga and Yunus Sibira.
They will have the confidence and motivation to go on and clinch title no.14.
[2] Vipers SC
Last season: Champions
Defended their title for the first time last season and literally won it unbeaten. They have quality and experience all over and their signings including the arrival of Ceaser Manzoki and Farouk Miya.
However, I feel like their concentration will be on the Caf Champions League and if they get into the group stages, it maybe a destruction back home.
[3] NEC FC
Last season: 5th
Chaotic start to last season saw Hussein Mbalangu replaced by Badru Kaddu. They have stability, quality and squad depth to compete with the big boys.
The arrival of Fahad Bayo adds more threat in attack and they have done good business save for letting Joseph Sseremba leave for Nairobi United.
They will definitely be in contention for the title and finish in the top five.
[4] Kitara
Last season: 4th
Wasswa Bbosa’s outstanding works at Kitara continued when they won the Stanbic Uganda Cup and took them back to continental football.
He is a winner but the loss of Yunus Sibira leaves Frank Tumwesigye Zaga with the burden to anchor that midfield alongside arrivals Misi Ssemugera and Nicholas Kasozi.
So many new faces could mean delay to gel and though they will be competitive, the league title will remain out of reach.
[5] SC Villa
Last season: 3rd
Eye brows maybe raised here but Villa could have a tough season after the loss of key players Charles Lwanga, Elvis Ngonde, Misi Ssemugera and Hassan Mubiru and skipper David Owori (RIP).
The additions are inexperienced and have no premier league experience which may take time for them to be among the top competitors for the title.
Nevertheless, SC Villa have the core of the team and still have quality in Patrick Kakande, Frank Ssebuufu, Raymond Barasa and Geoffrey Lubangakene. Top 5th finish is a possibility but I don’t see them clinching no. 18.
[6] Entebbe UPPC
Last season: 5th
Abdallah Mubiru did a great job with the Printers last season finishing 5th on their return to the premier league and looking at their additions this window, expect another competitive.
The additions of Reich Kokolo, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Sharif Ssengendo, Ibrahim Orit means appear to have galvanised the team even more but they needed a better striker to support Ambrose Kigozi.
[7] Express FC
Last season: 10th
New manager. New CEO. New ambition. The purse strings have been loosened at Express this window, so there are no excuses for a repeat of last season’s shambles, when Jimmy Kintu Mwere – their second coach of the season after Badru Kaddu led them in opening stages of the season.
Morley Byekwaso is now in the driving seat and has been backed big time, so optimism is running high.
So many smart signings including experienced players in Mathias Kigonya, Shafik Batambuze, Rogers Atube and the return of crowd puller Alpha Ssali and Derrick Ddungu.
There is optimism at the club and without doubt, they will have a good season than last one.
[8] URA
Last season: 11th
How did a squad with URA’s obvious quality end up winning just five league matches?
First, they had Alex Isabirye in charge who was sacked and replaced by Hussein Mbalangu whose time wasn’t extended beyond a few months at the club.
Now, Jimmy Kintu Mwera is in charge and has been supported with the buys he has previously worked with at Express.
The club wants to get back to being competitive and it will be different from last season but I don’t expect them to go for the title.
The Kintu era – like all other managerial eras at URA – will be scrutinized after every match.
[9] Police FC
Last season: 7th
Matia Lule’s side appeared to be going for the title at one time last season but lost track along the way with abysmal showings in the second round.
They have lost key players Brian James Obedi, Rayan Kizito Figo and let experienced forward Umar Kasumba leave.
Some of the incomings Ivan Mayanja will surely improve the side but it doesn’t look like they will do better than last season.
[10] BUL
Last season: 9th
Having let more than ten experienced players leave in the transfer window, they may struggle to be as competitive as they have always been and this could a different season with many kids on the team.
In Alex Isabirye, they have a good coach who has added some good players in Edward Masembe and Faizo Matovu as well.
It could be another finish in the bottom half like it was last season.
[11] Maroons
Last season: 8th
Simon Tamale and Hassan Matovu departures leave a gap in the goalkeeping department, Ivan Mayanja and Rogers Kiwanuka have also left.
That is too much experience lost but they still have a good squad comprising of Ronald Orombi, Abel Eturude and Marvin Oshaba to inspire Maroons but a top eighth finish could be far-fetched.
[12] Mbarara City
Last season: 12th
There is a lot of optimism at the club this season with African Coffee Park now board as partners.
The return of Brian Aheebwa, Rogers Mugisha and acquisitions like Bashir Ssekagya and Robert Vvuni will improve the side but this is not a campaign for them to go for the crown like their leadership asserted.
[13] Lugazi
Last season: 13th
Lugazi have made wholesome changes to the squad with more than 12 new players arriving at the club under a new coach Kikomeko.
It is in that regard that I believe they may struggle with cohesion but in Richard Ayiko, Cromwell Rwothomio, Vincent Zziwa and the exciting Abdul Kalanzi, they have a squad to compete for a top 8th finish but they will still finish outside of the top half.
[14] UPDF
Last season: 14th
They are only playing in the premiership this season because only two teams were relegated last season.
Their most important signing for them this window is head coach Hussein Mbalangu but loss of key players Ronald Kayondo and Enrique Lubwama could hurt.
Most of their new signings are from the lower division and that may hurt but they can still stay up.
[15] Kigezi Home Boyz
Last season: N/a
They have done a lot of work off the pitch with the appointment of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi as the patron and have also appointed experienced coach Kefa Kisala to lead the team.
However, their recruitment has been lacking in terms of experience and will surely fight for survival.
[16] Ntugasaze
Last season: N/a
They have come with vibe and secured good sponsorship but on the field, they may struggle to match the premier league demands.
Head coach Pius Ngabo has a lot of work to do to keep them afloat.
[17] Blacks Power
Last season: N/a
They have earned their return to the premier league but not sure they have done enough to stay up.
Simon Peter Mugerwa will have a lot on his hands to survive relegation.
[18] Kataka
Last season: N/a
There has not been any activity heard from their side and they will surely surprise many if they stay up.
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