Our fifth Uganda Premier League game of the season ended in defeat in Hoima as hosts Kitara FC ran out 4-0 winners at the Royals Park on Thursday. It was the second loss for Francis Mugerwa and Steven Bogere’s men and the result left the Leaders in the 10th place with five points after five rounds of play.
The game saw Abdul Kalanzi and Dauson Mafumu return to the starting eleven, replacing Adam Mutesaasira who started from the bench, and Derrick Mwanje who was out of action because of a joint injury.
The first goal of the game came after just ten minutes when Patrick Kaddu calmly chested down a delivery into the box before scoring with his left foot to give the hosts the lead.
He then doubled their advantage from the spot after forward Sharif Saaka was adjudged to have fouled Isaac Amutuhaire in the forbidden area as the opening half was fading away.
Midfielder Yunusu Sibira stretched their lead with a long range low effort on 52 minutes before Eddy Ssebandeke made it 4-0 for the Royals with two minutes of regulation time left on the clock.
Lugazi FC also had some chances although they were few and far in between.
David Bagoole had the first attempt for the Leaders when the game was still 1-0, shooting wide from range as he aimed for the top angle of the right post.
Saaka got two successive opportunities, and came close to drawing the game level in the 28th minute when he forced his way into the box but his left boot kicked the ball just wide, as another strike from him a few moments later was turned out for a corner.
Alfred Leku also pulled off some decent headers and shots whenever he was found by his team-mates only that he was just unlucky not have one on target.
After five months on the side-lines, winger Alvin Birungi played his first game this season when he replaced Mafumu on the stroke of halftime, and his trade mark runs from the wide areas were fully on show – creating two chances as result.
Weaving at full speed from the left inside channel, Birungi sent a teasing ball into the box – picking up striker Alfred Leku whose powerful header sailed wide. He then drew a save from goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige with a ferocious shot at the near post from close range deep in the second half.
Central defender Joseph Othieno also got his first minutes when he came on for Captain Richard Ayiko in the 49th minute and denied the hosts a fifth goal with a goal-line clearance late in the game.
Three more changes were made by the coaches as they tried to find a working formula. Ashiraf Mulindi, Juma Ssajjabi and Adam Mutesaasira were all thrown into the fray as they replaced the tired legs of Freedom Mungudit, Abdul Kalanzi and Amos Etoju nine minutes after the hour mark.
Mutesaasira’s impact was immediately felt as he ran down the lines with pace, and curled in some good crosses from the right side but it was just not our day to score at least a goal.
The Leaders will next be in action on Saturday November 8, 2025 at the Lugazi FC Stadium – Najjembe against Buhimba United Saints FC.
Starting XI:
Juma Mutebi (GK), Richard Ayiko (Joseph Othieno 49’), Dauson Mafumu (Alvin Birungi), Sharif Saaka, David Bagoole, Abdul Kalanzi (Juma Ssajjabi 69’), Paul Wasswa, Alfred Leku, Amos Etoju (Ashiraf Mulindi 69’), Rogers Atube, Freedom Mungudit (Adam Mutesaasira 69’).
Unused substitutes:
Allan Batali Igama (GK), Yusuf Mafabi, Moses Buga, Muhammad Kakooza (GK), Paul Busolo, Akiram Massa.
