Final Matchday Results
- NEC 0-2 SC Villa
- Maroons 1-1 KCCA
- Vipers SC 4-1 Mbarara City
- Busoga United 0-3 BUL
- Kitara 3-0 Gaddafi
- Wakiso Giants 0-1 UPDF
- URA 1-1 Soltilo Bright Stars
SC Villa broke a 20-year championship drought by securing the 2023/24 Startimes Uganda Premier League title with a decisive 2-0 victory over NEC FC at MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo on Saturday evening.
Second-half goals from Charles Lwanga and Hakim Kiwanuka ensured the win for the Jogoos, clinching the title with 57 points, just one ahead of both BUL and Vipers SC.
BUL and Vipers also claimed victories, with BUL defeating Busoga United 3-0 in Njeru and Vipers thrashing Mbarara City 4-1. However, these results did not impact the title race as Villa’s triumph secured the championship.
Kitara, along with NEC and Mbarara, were newly promoted this season and finished strong with a 3-0 victory over Gaddafi in Masindi.
Villa supporters erupted in celebration at the final whistle, with many fans flooding the pitch. Order was eventually restored for the trophy presentation, which featured the 2023/24 trophy delivered by helicopter.
This victory marks Villa’s record-extending 17th league title and their first since the passing of their legendary captain, Paul Hasule, 20 years ago.
The breakthrough came in the 67th minute when Lwanga headed in a cross from Umar Lutalo. Kiwanuka then secured the win, scoring the second goal after a setup by Patrick Jonah Kakande, sealing the 2-0 result.
The young Kiwanuka’s goal quelled any remaining tension, as he calmly slotted the ball past NEC goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan, igniting jubilant celebrations among Villa’s VIPs, including club president Hajj Omar Mandela and Buganda Katikkiro, Charles Peter Mayiga.
Villa’s performance under Serbian coach Dusan Stojanovic has been commendable, playing attractive football throughout the season.
In other matches, Lawrence Tezikya, Jerome Kirya, and Richard Okello led BUL to a 3-0 win over Busoga. At Kitende, Vipers’ Milton Karisa scored twice, with additional goals from Karim Watambala and Abubakar Lawal securing their 4-1 victory over Mbarara, who got a consolation goal from Seiri Arigumaho.
Denis Omedi’s brace and a goal from Paul Micureezi ensured Kitara’s 3-0 triumph over Gaddafi in Masindi.
Drama unfolded at the bottom of the table as UPDF escaped relegation by defeating Wakiso Giants 1-0, resulting in Gaddafi and Busoga United joining Arua Hill as the relegated teams.
