The 2026/27 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season bursts into life on Friday, with defending champions Vipers SC opening their title defence against newly promoted Entebbe UPPC at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
The encounter offers new Vipers head coach Denis Lavagne an immediate opportunity to set the tone for the campaign, with the Frenchman keen to start strongly as the Venoms pursue another league crown.
“We want to start well and the target is to defend our title,” said Lavagne.
Vipers will also view the fixture as an important preparatory step ahead of their CAF Champions League preliminary first-round meeting with Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou.
The Kitende outfit comes into the opener with confidence after beating Kitara FC 3-1 in the FUFA Super Cup at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, last week.
However, Nicholas Mwere and Enock Ssebagala remain doubtful after missing that encounter, although the club has reported no other injury concerns.
Entebbe UPPC, meanwhile, face a difficult introduction to top-flight football, with six key players unavailable for the trip to Kitende.
Last season’s leading scorer Ambrose Kigozi and Isa Bugembe have missed a significant portion of pre-season, while new recruits Anwar Ntege and Grant Matsiko are also ruled out.
Ahmed Amayo and Julius Poloto complete the list of absentees.
History also favours the champions. Vipers won both league meetings between the two sides last season and will enter Friday’s contest as clear favourites.
The opening weekend continues on Saturday with a highly anticipated Lugogo derby as KCCA FC host NEC, while Blacks Power entertain Ntugasaze at Hoima City Stadium.
SC Villa will welcome Kitara to Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, while Lugazi host Kigezi Home Boyz.
Police will face Mbarara City at Kira Police Arena, with UPDF taking on Kataka in a night fixture at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
The opening round concludes on Sunday when eight-time champions Express FC travel to the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru to face BUL, while Maroons host URA at Mutesa II Stadium.
Matchday One Fixtures
Friday, August 29, 2026
Vipers SC vs Entebbe UPPC — St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, 8pm
Saturday, August 30, 2026
KCCA FC vs NEC — MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, 4pm
Blacks Power vs Ntugasaze — Hoima City Stadium, 4pm
SC Villa vs Kitara — Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, 4pm (Live TV)
Lugazi vs Kigezi Home Boyz — Lugazi FC Stadium, Najjembe, 4pm
Police vs Mbarara City — Kira Police Arena, Kamwokya, 4pm
UPDF vs Kataka — Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, 7pm
Sunday, August 31, 2026
BUL vs Express — FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru, 4pm
Maroons vs URA — Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, 4pm
