The first round of the 2024/25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League (UPL) comes to an exciting close today, Tuesday, January 7, with five critical fixtures lined up across the country.
Second-placed NEC FC travels east to face bottom-placed Mbale Heroes in a crucial encounter at the Mbale Stadium.
Hussein Mbalangu’s NEC, just four points behind leaders Vipers SC, aim to reduce the gap with a win. For Mbale Heroes, the battle is one of survival, as they languish at the foot of the table with just nine points.
At Kakyeka Stadium, KCCA FC will face off against Mbarara City.
The Kasasiro Boys, sitting fourth with 24 points, hope to leapfrog Express FC back into third place and close the gap on the top.
However, their poor record in Kakyeka against the Ankole Lions—who sit 12th with 14 points—makes this a challenging task. Mbarara City will fight to secure points to steer clear of the relegation zone.
Reigning champions SC Villa head to Butema to take on Kitara FC. Villa is eager to build on their narrow 1-0 victory over URA in their last outing. With 20 points and currently seventh on the log, a win could see them break into the top five.
Kitara, also on 18 points but in ninth place, aim to overtake their opponents and climb the table.
In another crucial tie, BUL FC hosts Wakiso Giants at Najjembe. BUL, sitting eighth with 19 points, hope to move up the standings, while Wakiso Giants, who are second from the bottom with 11 points, desperately need their first win in 13 matches to escape the relegation zone.
The day’s final game features URA FC taking on Police FC in a 7 PM kickoff at Nakivubo’s Hamz Stadium.
URA, sixth with 21 points, seek to bounce back from their defeat to SC Villa, while Police, level on 18 points with Kitara, aim to end the first round on a high note.
