HOIMA — The first leg of the 2025/26 Stanbic Uganda Cup semi-final between Kitara FC and Vipers SC ended in a tactical 0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon at the Royal Park, Butema.
The result leaves the tie perfectly balanced ahead of the return leg at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, where a spot in the final will be decided.
Match Summary
The "Royals" of Kitara entered the match looking for revenge after last season's semi-final heartbreak against the same opponents.
Vipers, the defending champions, struggled to find their rhythm and suffered a significant blow late in the first half. Captain Milton Karisa was stretchered off in the 43rd minute following a heavy challenge from Kitara captain Jasper Aheebwa, who received a yellow card for the tackle.
Key Moments
The Kiggundu Show: Vipers’ shot-stopper was the hero of the day, producing a remarkable double save in the 35th minute to deny both Kaddu and Yunus Sibira.
He later tipped over a goal-bound effort from substitute Living Kabon in the closing stages. Injury Blow: The loss of Milton Karisa forced Vipers into an early tactical reshuffle, bringing on Joseph Marvin Youngman.
Missed Opportunities: Kitara dominated possession and corner counts, but despite the return of veteran defender Murushid Juuko providing a solid base, they could not find the clinical touch needed to beat Kiggundu.
Vipers' Threat: The Venoms' best chance fell to Yunus Junior Sentamu in the second half, but his acute-angle strike was well handled by Kitara's Meddie Kibirige.
Starting Lineups
| Kitara FC XI | Vipers SC XI |
| Meddie Kibirige (GK) | Denis Kiggundu (GK) |
| Jasper Aheebwa (C) | Ashraf Mandela |
| Henry Muyomba Musisi | Derrick Ndahiiro |
| Isa Lumu | Hilary Mukundane |
| Murushid Juuko | Rogers Torach |
| Hussein Ssenoga | Tadeo Lwanga |
| Yunus Sibira | Enock Ssebagala |
| Gadaffi Wahab | Abdul-Karim Watambala |
| George Senkaaba | Yunus Junior Sentamu |
| Patrick Henry Kaddu | Milton Karisa (C) |
| Jimmy Kalema | Glodi Beyuku Munsi |
What’s Next?
The stalemate sets up a "winner-takes-all" scenario for the second leg in Kitende. While Kitara will rue their missed chances at home, they remain dangerous on the break—a single away goal in the return leg could shift the pressure entirely onto the Venoms.
"We played well and created the chances, but their keeper was exceptional today. We go to Kitende with belief because we know we can score anywhere."
— Wasswa Bbosa, Kitara FC Head Coach
