Kitara FC and Ntugasaze FC finally recorded their first victories of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League season as top-flight action resumed on Wednesday following the international break.
Kitara edged Kigezi Homeboys 1-0 at Hoima City Stadium, while Ntugasaze secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Mbarara City at Kira Road Police Arena to breathe life into their respective campaigns.
At Hoima, defender Edward Namasa emerged as the match-winner, striking in the 23rd minute to hand Kitara a long-awaited league victory.
The result ends Kitara’s run of two successive 1-1 draws against SC Villa and Express FC and moves the reigning Stanbic Uganda Cup champions to five points.
Kitara will now turn their attention to continental football, with Egyptian giants Al Ahly awaiting them in the second qualifying round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The first leg is scheduled for October 17 at Hoima City Stadium, with the return leg in Cairo on October 25.
Ntugasaze also celebrated a historic breakthrough, with Opar Jacob scoring the decisive goal against Mbarara City to give the newcomers their first points of life in the Uganda Premier League.
The victory ends a difficult opening stretch for Ntugasaze, who had lost their first four matches, including defeats to Vipers, BUL, Maroons and fellow newcomers Blacks Power.
Elsewhere, SC Villa missed the opportunity to move top of the table after being held to a 1-1 draw by fellow newcomers Kataka FC in Bukedea.
Ali Sentamu put Kataka ahead before Najib Yiga restored parity for the Jogoos, who remain second on 11 points, one behind leaders BUL.
In Luzira, Maroons produced the biggest win of the day, dispatching 10-man Lugazi FC 3-0.
Fred Amaku opened the scoring in the 57th minute before Dickson Nuwamanya doubled the advantage in the 76th minute. Baden Mujaid completed the rout four minutes later.
The day also witnessed two dismissals, with Mbarara City’s Ambrose Arinda sent off in the 72nd minute and Lugazi forward Francis Onekalit receiving his marching orders in the 80th.
The league continues on Thursday, with champions Vipers SC visiting Blacks Power, while NEC host Express FC at Lugogo.
At Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, Uganda’s Independence Day football programme features a double-header, with UPPC taking on Police at 5pm before URA face KCCA at 8pm.
After Wednesday’s fixtures, SC Villa sit second with 11 points, while Maroons climb to seventh on six points and Kitara move to ninth with five.
Ntugasaze rise to 15th with three points, with Mbarara City 16th, Kataka 17th and Kigezi Homeboys bottom on one point.
