Lugazi Football Club made an early statement in the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League campaign, edging Entebbe UPPC 1-0 at Hamz Stadium on Wednesday, September 9.
Cromwell Rwothomio struck eight minutes from full time to settle a tightly contested Matchday Three encounter and hand Lugazi maximum points away from home.
The hosts had threatened first, with Ibrahim Orit providing a dangerous cross from the left in the 10th minute, although Ronald Kayondo headed over from inside the area.
Lugazi responded through marauding right-back Emmanuel Munooba, whose inviting delivery into the Entebbe UPPC goalmouth went begging.
Kayondo then turned provider on the quarter-hour mark, cutting the ball back from the left for Ibrahim Mugulusi, who fired narrowly wide.
Entebbe continued to press, with Ambrose Kigozi unable to keep his effort down after meeting Gift Jonathan Odongo’s cross from the right.
Kigozi was presented with another opportunity eight minutes later after Kelvin Barni had been fouled 25 yards from goal, but his resulting free-kick sailed well over the crossbar.
Lugazi gradually grew into the contest, with Dickson Matama forcing goalkeeper Denis Otim into a routine save before Mugulusi also tested the Entebbe shot-stopper moments later.
Orit remained a constant outlet for the hosts, delivering repeatedly from the left as the half wore on, although Entebbe failed to convert their opportunities. Odongo also came close in the 32nd minute but dragged his left-footed effort over.
The hosts were forced into their first change five minutes before the break, with Steven Munguchi replacing Orit.
Lugazi made a change of their own at half-time, Brian Ade coming on for Adam Mutesasiira.
The second half began with Lugazi captain Richard Ayiko entering the referee’s book for a deliberate foul on Entebbe playmaker Reich Triomphe Kokolo.
The visitors introduced Frank Mulimu for Jeremy Matata on the hour, while Entebbe responded three minutes later by sending on Julius Poloto for Sharifu Ssengendo in an attempt to add greater attacking impetus.
Entebbe came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 74th minute. Kayondo unleashed a powerful effort from around 30 yards, but Lugazi goalkeeper Tonny Kyamera produced an excellent save to turn the ball onto the crossbar before recovering to claim it.
Lugazi suffered an injury setback ten minutes from time when Munooba was stretchered off with a hamstring problem, with Vincent Zziwa taking his place.
But it was the visitors who found the breakthrough.
Rwothomio beat the Entebbe defence’s offside trap in the 82nd minute before unleashing a fierce finish through Otim’s legs to give Lugazi the lead.
Entebbe immediately responded with a double substitution, Noordin Saddic Bunjo and Hassan Ssenyonjo replacing Munguchi and Kokolo.
Rwothomio nearly doubled Lugazi’s advantage late on when he found himself one-on-one with Otim, only for the goalkeeper to deny him.
Lugazi ultimately held firm to secure a valuable 1-0 victory and strengthen their early-season credentials.
Meanwhile, at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, SC Villa defeated traditional rivals Express FC 2-0 to complete a successful Matchday Three outing for the Jogoos.
