Sunday, September 17
*UPDF FC vs URA, Bombo Barracks Ground 3PM
*Arua Hill vs Busoga United, Paridi Ground 4PM
*Gaddafi FC vs Vipers, Gaddafi Arena 4PM
*Wakiso Giants vs Maroons, Kabaka Kyabaggu 3PM
Team news
- UPDF FC will be without Leftback Oyirwoth Daglas and Ezekiel Katende due to injuries.
- Bernard Muwanga will face a late fitness test after returning from a long injury
- New signing Robert Eseru is doubtful after missing the last training on Saturday.
- Wasswa Yusuf, Vuni Bright Joseph, Kaija Derrick are all set for there debuts.
- Joseph Ssemujju is doubtful for URA with a knock.
- The rest of the squad is fully fit and ready for the opener.
- Ibrahim Wammanah and Ivan Ahimbisibwe are also ready to make their League starts for URA against former pay masters.
Probable Lineups
•UPDF: Wasswa Yusuf (GK), Kawagu Christopher, Oscar Agaba, Aggrey Kirya, Vuni Bright Joseph, Adriko Rogers, Shugai Kalisa, Zzinda Hussein, Achumu Faridi, Nsimbe Jibril.
•URA – Denis Otim (GK), James Begisa, Eric Ssenjobe, Enock Walusimbi, Najib Fesali, Hudu Mulikyi, Joshua Lubwama, Ibrahim Wammanah, Moses Aliro, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Laban Tibita.
Preview: Title Challengers URA out for a winning start.
URA FC will seek for a perfect start to the Uganda Premier League with a visit to the Bombo Barracks Ground to take on UPDF FC.
URA FC finished second in the FUFA Super Eight, losing out to BUL FC in the shoot outs.
The Lugazi based side are under the new management of Fred Muhumuza after the shocking death of Head Coach Sam Timbe last month.
URA beefed up their squad with a number of new signings like Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Ibrahim Wammanah who are set for their League debut against former pay masters.
Other signings are Moses Aliro, Shariph Kimbowa, Laban Tibita, Okech Emmanuel, Enock Walusimbi among others.
Against UPDF, the Visitors will fancy their chances as they seek to stretch their unbeaten to seven games against the Army side.
“Bombo is a tricky place and thank God the season is on, we are ready,” URA coach Fred Muhumuza started.
“We want to start on a high note and make our work easy, we are going to play a very stubborn side at home but we shall try to get a better result.
“The last time we visited Bombo, it was a 1-1 draw so we want to improve on that.
“The first games are always tricky but thank God we had a run in the Super Eight so atleast we have that match fitness, we will build on that and try to get a better result.”
For UPDF, they will eye only a third win over URA. The last time they were victorious was a 1-0 home win on 4th April 2018.
Head Coach Pius Ngabo who replaced Brian Ssenyondo will hope for a strong start to his second stint at the club.
In his first stint, he was working as Kefa Kisala’s assistant in 2020.
Just like URA, UPDF also brought in a number of new faces after losing as many.
Wasswa Yusuf, Vuni Bright Joseph, Sam Kintu, Robert Eseru, Tebandeke Christopher, Tenywa Henry Penza, Shugai Kalisa, Kaija Derrick, Kabuye Bashir, Kawooya Edward and Okidi Jimmy are some of the new signings that were unveiled by UPDF.
The last time they met last season Ivan Ahimbisibwe scored an equaliser for UPDF after Viane Ssekajugo had given the hosts an early lead for the game to end one-all at the Mehta Stadium.
Head to Head
2023/2024
UPDF ?-? URA
2022/2023
URA 1-1 UPDF
UPDF 1-1 URA
2021/2022
UPDF 0-1 URA
URA 3-1 UPDF
2020/2021
URA 2-1 UPDF
UPDF 0-1 URA
2017/2018
UPDF 1-0 URA
URA 2-1 UPDF
2016/2017
URA 2-0 UPDF
UPDF 0-2 URA
2016/2017
UPDF 1-1 URA
URA 0-1 UPDF
