SC Villa Win Record Extending 17th UPL Title After 20-Year Wait
Saturday, May 18*Busoga United 0-3 BUL*URA 1-1 Bright Stars*Maroons 1-1 KCCA*Kitara 3-0 Gaddafi*NEC 0-2 SC Villa Lugogo*Wakiso Giants 0-1 UPDF*Vipers 4-1 Mbarara City
SC Villa has clinched the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League title, ending a two-decade-long wait, with a decisive 2-0 victory over NEC FC on the final day of the season at Lugogo.
Charles Lwanga and Hakim Kiwanuka emerged as the heroes for Villa, scoring two crucial second-half goals.
Villa, needing a win to secure their 17th league title, initially faced tense moments. At halftime, BUL were leading the standings as they held a two-goal advantage against Busoga United in Njeru.
Adding to the dramatic climax, Villa’s other title contenders, Kitara and Vipers, were also ahead in their respective matches, contributing to a thrilling finish to the season.
The breakthrough for Villa came in the 66th minute when Charles Lwanga headed in a precise cross from Umar Lutalo, igniting wild celebrations among the Villa supporters.
The atmosphere turned carnival-like when Patrick Jonah Kakande set up Kiwanuka for the second goal, sealing the victory.
This triumph was a stark contrast to last season’s heartbreak when Villa, needing a win on the final day, fell 1-0 to URA FC at Wankulukuku.
Under the guidance of coach Dusan Stojanovic, Villa’s victory marks their first league title since 2004, extending their record to 17 championships.
They conclude the season with 57 points, narrowly edging out BUL and Vipers, who both finished with 56 points after victories over Busoga United and Mbarara City, respectively.
Kitara, who defeated Gaddafi, secured fourth place and will now switch focus to Hussein Mbalangu’s NEC in the Uganda Cup final.
At the other end of the table, UPDF beat Wakiso Giants to survive relegation, hence sending down Jinja teams Busoga United and Gaddafi who join Arua Hill back to Big League.
SC Villa Defy Odds
It has been a season of resilience for the Jogoos, marked by key results that underscored their title credentials.
With two games to go, the narrative could have shifted if BUL had beaten Mbarara City away at Kakyeka, and Villa had fought back to beat URA on the same day to go top.
They started the season with a defeat to Kitara at Wankulukuku and failed to secure maximum points against Maroons in Luzira in their second game.
However, once they gained momentum, they appeared unstoppable and are deserved champions.
The 2-0 defeat to KCCA at Namboole at the start of this month seemed to jeopardize their title hopes, but they closed the campaign with a three-game winning streak.
They clinched the title under new coach Dusan Stojanovic, with notable contributions from players like Patrick Jonah Kakande, Umar Lutalo, and Kenneth Ssemakula.
Most UPL titles
SC Villa – 17KCCA – 13Express – 7Vipers – 6URA – 4Maroons – 2Simba – 2Coffee FC – 1Nile Breweries – 1Police – 1UCB – 1
Players Used
NEC – Benjamin Ochan, Tah Barni Kelvin, Geriga Atendele, Ibrahim Thembo,Cromwel Rwothomio, Allan Mugalu,Dhata Joseph Stephen, Gideon Odongo, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Rashid Okocha, Enock Ssebaggala
SC Villa – Jeans Braddy Wokorach, Kenneth Semakula, Arnold Odong, Joseph Kafumbe, Umar Lutalo, Hakim Kiwanuka, Gavin Kizito, Ronald Ssekiganda, Charles Lwanga, Missi Diego Semugera,Patrick Jonah Kakande
SC Villa Win Record Extending 17th UPL Title After 20-Year Wait
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
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NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum