SC Villa maintained the top of the table status and opened a four-point lead at the summit of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League table on Tuesday following a win.
Villa registered a narrow 1-0 win over Soltilo Bright Stars at Muteesa II Stadium Wankulukuku.
The win further boosts their chances of winning their first league title since 2004.
Baale scored the goal on Villa’s return to Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku after playing their last five home matches in Lira as punishment for crowd trouble.
The striker’s 72nd minute goal after good work from Ivan Sserubiri is his sixth of the season and only Villa’s 19th.
Baale’s display also earned him the Pilsner Man of the Match accolade.
Coach Jackson Magera’s men, who were given no chance at the start of the season, now top on 40 points.
Second-placed KCCA, who face Blacks Power on Wednesday, have 36 points and three games in hand on Villa.
Bright Stars are 10th on 24 points after 19 matches.
Elsewhere, Samson Kasozi, Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Badru Jibril Nsimbe were on target as UPDF thrashed Arua Hill 3-1 in Bombo.
Jacob Kamwesiga’s goal opened the floodgates for the match in the fifth minute but in the end it was only a consolation for Arua Hill.
In Arua, home side Onduparaka picked only their third win of the season when they beat BUL 2-0 at Green Light Stadium.
John Rogers scored in either half for the Caterpillars but they stay rooted at the basement of the table on 13 points.
BUL remain third on the log on 30 points after 20 matches. Gaddafi and Busoga United were only good for a goalless draw.
Results
SC Villa 1-0 Soltilo Bright Stars FC
UPDF FC 3 -1 Arua Hill SC
Onduparaka FC 2-0 BUL FC
Gaddafi FC 0-0 Busoga United FC
