The talking points as UPL’s first round climaxes
The Uganda Premier League has reached the climax of its first round after 15 matches for each of the 16 teams.
Jinja-based BUL FC are on top of the log with 33 points, three ahead of defending champions Vipers Sports Club in second position while newcomers, Kitara FC from Hoima are in third on 29 points.
In other teams, record champions, Sports Club Villa are fifth on 26 points whereas Express are sixth on 25 points while 13 time champions, KCCA FC are ninth on 19 points.
The surprises
Table leaders, BUL FC have surprised everyone, having lost only twice in the first round but also beating giants including KCCA FC away at Lugogo, SC Villa at Wankulukuku, URA FC and Vipers at Kitende.
BUL has also picked a point off Express FC among the traditional teams they have faced.
This state of affairs has seen BUL lead the table.
Also among the surprises in the first round is newcomer, Kitara FC from the oil city of Hoima that has performed well to ensure they lie third on the log.
Kitara has in the first round of the Uganda Premier League beaten record champions SC Villa away, KCCA FC away but also Express FC to ensure they have beaten the three original members of the VEK.
During this streak, Kitara has scored 28 goals, the most so far in the first round of the Uganda Premier League to prove that they mean business in whatever they do.
Traditional teams struggling
The first round of this season’s Uganda Premier League has shown that the three traditional teams of SC Villa, Express FC and KCCA FC which together form the historical VEK are still struggling.
Whereas SC Villa are fifth on 26th points closely followed by Express FC in sixth position, with only a point separating the two, their performance has so far not been so convincing and they are not where they were expected to be.
Whereas SC Villa has lost only three games, one higher than leaders BUL FC, the record champions have however drawn five games, meaning they have lost 18 points so far which is below the standards known for the team.
On the other side, Express FC has also had a fair share of its own problems right from the head coach. The team in December parted ways with their head coach, James Odoch and appointed Alex Isabirye on a temporary basis.
Express has also lost four games in the first round of the Uganda Premier League and drawn the same number of games.
KCCA woes
For 13-time Uganda Premier League champions, their woes are not yet over.
Having started the league poorly, the club appointed Abdallah Mubiru as the head coach and has tried to stabilise the ship at Lugogo but the problems are far from over.
KCCA FC lost their last game in the first round of the Uganda Premier League to Wakiso Giants.
The Kasasiro Boys have lost eight games, two more than the six they have managed to win in the first round of the Uganda Premier League.
On the other side, the club has shipped in 23 goals which indicates a leaky defence at Lugogo.
KCCA FC are nearer the drop zone than they are with the top four.
Tight in drop zone
In the relegation zone, Busoga United, UPDF FC, and Arua Hill SC have collected just 15, nine and five points, respectively and are on the verge of being relegated.
However, above them are Gaddafi and Wakiso Giants on 16 points, Mbarara City 17, Bright Stars 18 and KCCA FC 19 in 13th, 12th, 11th, 10th and 9th positions respectively.
Top scorers
On the top scorers chart, Soltilo Bright Stars’ Nelson Senkatuka leads pack with 10 goals, closely followed by KCCA FC’s Muhammad Shaban, BUL’s Alex Kitatta and Maroons FC’s Fred Amaku , all tied on eight goals. Express FC’s Isaac Wagoina comes close with seven goals.
