Vipers held again as Entebbe climb to third; Police frustrated in Butema

Matchday 17 Results
Vipers 1–1 NEC
Entebbe UPPC 1–0 Mbarara City
Buhimba United 1–1 Police

Vipers SC’s slim advantage at the summit remains intact, but only just. After seeing their lead cut to two points in a week, the Venoms needed a response at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on Tuesday. 

They struck early when Abdul Karim Watambala slipped a precise pass into skipper Milton Karisa, who finished calmly in the seventh minute.

NEC, unbeaten this year, absorbed pressure and grew into the contest. Former Vipers forward Richard Basangwa was lively between the lines, while tactical changes – including the introduction of Hakim Wandera and later Emmanuel Kulanga – injected urgency. 

The equaliser arrived on 75 minutes from a well-worked short corner: Joseph Dhata rolled it to Kulanga, whose delivery found defender Warren Buule to power home a header.

The 1–1 draw moves Vipers to 38 points, with NEC seventh on 24. Kitara are second and three points behind Vipers.

This was Vipers second successive draw following another 1-1 stalemated at BUL last week, while NEC came into this on the back of an impressive 3-1 victory over KCCA.

In Entebbe, Ambrose Kigozi proved decisive again as the Printers edged Mbarara City 1-0 at Bugonga. 

The breakthrough came two minutes before the break when stand-in skipper Julius Poloto laid a neat ball across the face of goal for Kigozi to tap in at the far post – his ninth of the campaign. 

Mbarara pushed through Wycliffe Ahumuza and Muhammed Kanyike, but Rogers Omedwa and his backline held firm as Entebbe climbed to 34 points in third.

At Royals Park, Butema, Police missed the chance to tighten their grip on the top four following a 1-1 draw with Buhimba United Saints. 

Reagan Male bundled in from Benon Tahomera’s set-up on 75 minutes after a long throw initiated the move, but Erick Nyonyitono struck in added time to secure Buhimba a 1–1 draw. Police stay fourth on 32 points, while Buhimba move to 15.