VIPERS SC CROWNED 2024/25 UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS AFTER DOMINANT WIN OVER KITARA FC

Butema, Hoima — Vipers Sports Club are the 2024/25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions after a commanding 2-0 away victory over  Kitara FC at Royal Park Stadium in Butema, Hoima. The victory, secured through goals from Gusto Mulongo and  Yunus Sentamu , sealed the title with a game to spare and took their points tally to an unassailable 68 — four points ahead of second-placed NEC FC.

Needing just a win to mathematically wrap up the title, the Venoms delivered a focused and polished performance, putting behind them a recent blip against BUL that had delayed their celebrations.

Head coaches John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda and Fred Muhumuza fielded a full-strength side, despite an upcoming Uganda Cup semifinal second leg against the same Kitara side. The decision paid off quickly. In the 14th minute, Vipers capitalized on a goalkeeping error from Farouk Yawe who spilled Allan Okello’s teasing free-kick. Livingstone Mulondo pounced on the loose ball and unselfishly squared it for Gusto Mulongo to finish from close range.

From then on, Vipers controlled the tempo and limited Kitara’s attacking options. The hosts, under the guidance of coach Wasswa Bbosa, opted to rest several key players, clearly prioritizing their Uganda Cup aspirations. Despite a more spirited second-half showing from Kitara, the Vipers defense remained resolute.

In the 68th minute, Yunus Sentamu put the result beyond doubt. A flicked header from Milton Karisa found Sentamu, who made no mistake in calmly slotting past Yawe for the Venoms’ second of the day.

Kitara came closest to scoring when Titus Sematimba struck the woodwork with a thunderous long-range shot late in the match, but it was too little, too late as Vipers held firm to clinch their seventh league title.

Meanwhile, NEC FC’s 1-0 win over SC Villa at Wankulukuku proved irrelevant in the grand scheme of the title race, as Vipers’ win in Hoima rendered all other results inconsequential.

A Historic Seventh Title

This latest triumph adds to Vipers SC’s growing legacy in Ugandan football, with previous titles coming in the 2009/10, 2014/15, 2017/18, 2019/20, 2021/22, and 2022/23 seasons. Their seventh title solidifies their status as one of the most successful and dominant teams in recent league history.

It also marks another milestone for club president Lawrence Mulindwa and the management team at St. Mary’s Kitende, who have invested heavily in player development and infrastructure over the years.

With the league title secured, Vipers will now set their sights on completing a domestic double. They head into the return leg of the Stanbic Uganda Cup semifinal with a slender 1-0 aggregate lead over Kitara. Victory this weekend would place them in the final and within touching distance of reclaiming the Uganda Cup, which they last won in 2023.

Their final league game will be against relegated Soltilo Bright Stars at home, a fixture that will be more of a celebration than a contest. The Venoms will lift the Uganda Premier League trophy in front of their fans at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende — a fitting conclusion to a season marked by consistency, resilience, and moments of brilliance.

Vipers SC’s 2024/25 Uganda Premier League triumph is a testament to tactical discipline, squad depth, and experienced leadership. As they prepare to chase a historic double, their eyes are firmly set on further cementing their legacy in Ugandan football. For their fans, the journey has been thrilling — and it may not be over just yet.