Sam Ssemugugu scored a goal, and also made an assist for Emmanuel Obua in the second half but those two strikes were not enough to seal victory against UPDF FC, with Joseph Janjali’s effort 22 minutes from time enough to snatch a draw for the army side.

Samuel Ssekamatte’s low drive inside the box gave UPDF FC a halftime lead at the Lugazi FC Stadium, but the Leaders pegged the visitors back just five minutes after the restart.

Ssemugugu restored parity for Lugazi FC with his fourth league goal of the season when he sent Richard Anyama the wrong way from the spot to level the score after Freedom Mungudit was brought down in the box by Aggrey Kirya.

Lugazi FC would take the lead just two minutes after the resumption of play, with Obua receiving the ball from Ssemugugu at the edge of the box before swerving in an absolute beauty into the far corner to turn the game on its head. It was his first goal of the season.

But Janjali dragged the game level again with a half volley inside the box when a looped ball from Aggrey Kirya found him in a perfect spot to hit at the first time of asking, and past Juma Mutebi following a free kick situation on 68 minutes.

The Leaders continued to apply pressure, and three minutes of added time allowed us a bit of more time to continue the search for a winner, but it wasn’t to be as the points were shared on Friday.

Before the goals came, Richard Anyama had denied Abdul Kalanzi in the 20th minute when he stretched his legs up to stop the ball. On the stroke of halftime, the goalkeeper was called into action again, parrying Gift Lubega’s cross into corner.

At the other end, Juma Mutebi was also busy. Frank Mugisa almost doubled the visitor’s lead in the three added minutes of the opening half but his scotching shot from range hit the bar and out.

A point against UPDF FC means the Leaders remained 11th on the Uganda premier league table, and will embark on a trip to Hoima to face Kitara FC on Tuesday next week.

Starting XI:

Juma Mutebi (GK), Richard Ayiko, Paul Wasswa, Joseph Othieno, Ali Bayo, Derrick Mwanje (Rogers Adriko), Sharif Saaka, Lubega Muhammed (Sam Ssemugugu 46’), Abdul Kalanzi (Norman Lumumba 78’), Emmanuel Obua (Moses Buga), Freedom Mungudit.

Unused Substitutes:

Fahad Emuran, Jumah Lutakome, Rogers Atube, Ian Amanya, Shafiq Avemah.