Vipers extend lead as Kampala derby ends goalless

Results – Saturday, March 7

SC Villa 0–0 Express
Mbarara City 1–2 Vipers SC
Maroons 1–0 Buhimba United Saints
Entebbe UPPC 0–0 URA 

Vipers SC opened a four–point lead at the top of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League after edging Mbarara City 2–1 in Kamwenge on Saturday.

The defending champions arrived knowing victory would stretch their advantage after Kitara were held on Friday, and they delivered thanks to goals from Usama Arafat and Yunus Sentamu.

Vipers began brightly and went ahead in the 20th minute when Usama finished a well–worked move, converting from close range after good work by Milton Karisa. 

The visitors dominated early proceedings and could have doubled their lead shortly after, but Karisa squandered a clear chance as Mbarara struggled to cope with the Venoms’ tempo.

The hosts grew into the game after the break and restored parity in the 65th minute through substitute Thomas Kakaire, who struck to ignite the home crowd. 

For a moment, it looked as though the Ankole Lions could frustrate the league leaders.

However, Vipers’ persistence paid off late on. With six minutes remaining, Sentamu struck the decisive goal to restore the visitors’ lead and secure maximum points. 

Karisa’s lively display earned him the man–of–the–match award. The result moves Vipers to 44 points, four clear at the summit.

In Kampala, traditional rivals SC Villa and Express fought out a tense 0–0 draw at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba. 

Villa dominated possession and created the better chances, with Hassan Mubiru twice going close, including a goal ruled out for offside just before halftime.

The Jogoos remain third on 38 points, while Express are six places below in 10th on 20 points.

Elsewhere, Maroons – ninth on 22 points – registered a narrow 1–0 win over Buhimba United Saints courtesy of Ivan Asaba’s early strike. At Bugonga, Entebbe UPPC and URA settled for a goalless stalemate.