Season Pamoja: A Review of Match Day Two

Round two of ‘Sizoni Pamoja’ concluded on Friday evening, with seven of the scheduled nine fixtures played.

Continental commitments for Vipers and Kitara forced the postponement of Vipers vs Kigezi HomeBoyz and Kitara vs Mbarara City to a later date.

Despite the reduced fixture list, the matchday delivered a stronger attacking return, with 19 goals across seven games, compared to 14 goals from nine fixtures on Matchday One.

The stands also offered encouraging signs, with sizeable crowds turning up for two fixtures — URA vs SC Villa and Express vs KCCA.

With the league beginning to find its rhythm, here are a few key talking points from Matchday Two.

Perfect Starts: Four sides set the early pace

Four teams; BUL, NEC, Blacks Power and Entebbe UPPC maintained perfect records after Matchday Two, each collecting six points from as many available.

BUL produced the biggest statement, with Derrick Byabachwezi’s hat-trick and Simon Achidi’s strike inspiring a 4–1 away win over Kataka with Ali Ssentamu getting the consolation for the hosts.

Strikes from Richard Basangwa and a brace by Innocent Media ensured that NEC also remained perfect with a comfortable 3–1 victory over Lugazi, with Richard Ayiko’s goal seeming insignificant—while UPPC recovered from a goal down to beat UPDF 2–1 through Ambrose Kigozi and Thomas Ochungo cancelling out Derrick Taremwa’s earlier goal. 

In Hoima, Blacks Power edged Police 1–0 through Emmanuel Janani Okech, securing their second successive victory. More impressively, the returning side remains the only team yet to concede after two matchdays.

For Blacks Power, the perfect start could provide an early cushion in their survival quest. For BUL and NEC, however, the combination of points, performances and attacking returns may already be hinting at something bigger — a potential title challenge.

Two matchdays in, four teams remain perfect. The real test is sustaining it.

Express FC: Could The Red Eagles Be Back?

After losing 1–0 away to BUL in their opener, Express FC responded emphatically, defeating city rivals KCCA 2–0 at Hamz Stadium with goals from Isaac Wagoina and Derrick Ddungu alias Rickman.

Beyond the result, the victory reflected a growing sense of renewal around the Red Eagles. Increased media visibility, new signings, sponsorships, new jerseys and considerable work behind the scenes have gradually restored attention and optimism around the club. Even in defeat to BUL, Express had shown enough promise to suggest that the setback could be a foundation rather than a warning. The win over KCCA further amplified that optimism.

The presence of Express chairman and Minister of Defence Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Chairman Emeritus Godfrey Kirumira and other notable figures, coupled with a sizeable crowd, created an unusually vibrant atmosphere; one Express ultimately matched with a convincing performance on the pitch.

For the faithful, there is growing belief that the Red Eagles could be finding their way back. But one victory, however significant, cannot confirm a resurgence.

The next test could hardly be bigger: arch-rivals SC Villa await.

That fixture may offer a clearer indication of whether Express are genuinely back — or merely enjoying an encouraging start.

KCCA FC: Time for serious soul-searching

Two games, two defeats, four goals conceded, none scored. Following a 2-0 opening day defeat to NEC, KCCA suffered another similar defeat away to Express in the successive match.

On paper, KCCA arguably possess a stronger squad and greater pedigree, but the pitch told a different story. More concerning than the results was the apparent absence of the urgency, desire, pride and commitment traditionally associated with the KCCA shirt.

Questions over team selection and tactical decisions will inevitably arise, but the bigger concern appears to go beyond the technical area.

KCCA need to look inward, rediscover their identity and restore the competitive spirit that has historically defined the club. Players must recognize the responsibility of wearing the badge, while the wider institution must rebuild belief, urgency and character.

Two matches cannot define a season, but they can expose uncomfortable truths. For KCCA, the time for serious soul-searching has arrived.

When life takes precedence over football

The Express–KCCA encounter was briefly interrupted by a concerning medical situation after referee Rahman Atiku was unintentionally knocked down by KCCA midfielder Yunus Sibira.

What initially appeared to be a minor collision quickly became more serious as Atiku struggled to regain his stability and remained on the ground while play continued, with some players seemingly unaware that the centre referee was down.

Two players who initially attempted to assist him were unable to get him back on his feet and moved away. The first assistant referee noticed the situation and rushed towards the pitch, but hesitated midway, briefly turning his attention back to the ongoing play before eventually intervening alongside the fourth official and medical team. The medical personnel provided emergency treatment and helped restore the referee’s stability.

Thankfully, Atiku recovered, returned to his feet and continued officiating.

However, the incident raises important questions. Life must always take precedence over football. The player who reached the referee first could have taken the whistle and stopped play, while the fourth official could also have immediately intervened from the touchline.

Equally, questions may be asked of Atiku’s decision to continue officiating after such a serious setback, regardless of its exact cause.

The incident was a reminder that when a match official’s wellbeing is at risk, the game must stop. No result is more important than a person’s life.

Ntugasaze: Early warning signs

Jackson Nunda struck twice and Marvin Oshaba converted from the spot as Maroons condemned Ntugasaze to a 3–1 defeat, leaving the newcomers still searching for their first point of the campaign. Ronald Junior Kaye’s effort was little more than consolation as Ntugasaze suffered their second consecutive league loss.

Yet beyond the scoreline, there were a few details that made the defeat particularly telling.

Maroons were reduced to ten men in the 59^th minute with skipper Edward Kabona the man sent off, with the score already standing at 3–1. It was the moment Ntugasaze needed to seize control and launch a comeback.

Instead, the numerical advantage failed to translate into meaningful pressure or a change in the outcome. Maroons absorbed the challenge and held on comfortably enough to take all three points.

It would be premature to draw definitive conclusions after only two rounds but Ntugasaze, newcomers to the top flight appear like they will take time to adapt to the demands, tempo and tactical discipline of Premier League football and this can certainly offer early warning signs.

Ntugasaze have lost both games, conceded four goals and scored just once. More significantly, they have yet to demonstrate the resilience required to turn difficult situations in their favour — something highlighted by their failure to exploit Maroons’ numerical disadvantage.

SC Villa: Off the mark but concerns over quality and depth remain

SC Villa edged URA 1–0, with Reagan Mpande’s close-range first-half header proving decisive yet beneath the victory, questions over the squad’s quality and experience remain.

The absence of Najib Yiga and Aslam Ssemakula through injury left Villa noticeably short in midfield, while the side’s limited depth became increasingly apparent as the game progressed.

Patrick Kakande and Frank Ssebuufu were withdrawn moments into the second half. Neither had been exceptional, but their departures coincided with a significant drop in Villa’s overall level, much like what was witnessed in the opening fixture against Kitara.

The Jogoos were forced to endure a difficult final ten minutes after Isaac Mpagi was sent off in the 85^th minute, further compounding the pressure created by the drop in quality following the substitutions. Villa ultimately held on to claim the points.

With a squad heavily populated by young players, Villa have energy and potential, but whether they possess enough quality, depth and experience to withstand the demands of an entire Premier League season remains the bigger question.

The victory matters. But the season will test whether this young Jogoos side is truly ready for the challenge.

Best XI of match day TWO

Derrick Were (Maroons)

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Hillary Onek (BUL)

George Kiryowa (UPPC)

Warren Buule (NEC)

Shafik Batambuze (Express)

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Joseph Kiiza (Blacks power)

Kisule Issa (Express)

Ibrahim Kasinde (Sc Villa)

Jackson Nunda (Maroons)

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Innocent Media (NEC)

Derrick Byabachwezi (BUL)

COACH: Morley Byekwaso (Express)

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