The 2023/24 StarTimes Uganda Premier League campaign gets underway this Friday with three games on card and more on Sunday.
The biggest game on the opening day will see sixteen-time champions SC Villa host newly promoted Kitara at Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku.
Villa lost the title on the last day last season and will want to replicate same form that saw them nearly end a 19-year wait for a 17th title.
It will also be first competitive game for Serbian Dusan Stojanovic as he hopes to mark his time at Villa with a winning start.
In Charles Lwanga and Hakim Kiwanuka, the Jogoos will hope to have found a goalscoring replacement for departed Charles Bbaale.
On the other hand, Kitara have recruited well and anxiously wait to get their new campaign in the top tier on a better note than they did when they last played in the division.
In Paul Mucureezi, Brian Aheebwa, Denis Omedi and Jude Ssemugabi among others, they have quality to hurt any opposition and Villa must be aware.
Villa won 3-2 in the last meeting between the two sides in 2021.
At Kavumba, Fufa Super 8 winners BUL make a trip to face Soltilo Bright Stars with both teams having new tacticians in the dugout.
BUL will hope to build on the Super 8 success as they aim to challenge the status quo but will need to start brightly.
Bright Stars won the corresponding fixture last season 2-0 and were unbeaten in the return leg drawing 2-2 at Njeru.
In Kakyeka, two newly promoted sides Mbarara City and NEC face off in a renewal of acquaintances.
Action on match day one will continue through Sunday with four fixtures on card including defending champions Vipers taking on Gaddafi.
Weekend Fixtures
Friday Sept 15
- SC Villa vs Kitara – Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku Live on TV
- Bright Stars vs BUL – Kavumba Recreation Ground
- Mbarara City vs NEC – Kakyeka stadium
Sunday Sept 17
- Wakiso Giants vs Maroons – Kabaka Kyabaggu
- Gaddafi vs Vipers – Gaddafi Arena, Jinja Live on TV
- Arua Hill vs Busoga United – Paridi stadium, Adjumani
- UPDF vs URA – Bombo Military Barracks Grounds