The crown has returned to Kitende. Vipers SC surged to a record-equalling seventh Uganda Premier League (UPL) title after outmuscling Kitara FC 2-0 in a dominant away display at the Royal Park in Butema on Wednesday evening.

On an evening that sealed their third league triumph in four seasons, goals from Gusto Mulongo and Yunus Sentamu ensured the Venoms wrote their name in gold again – with one matchday still to spare.

This seventh star now lifts Vipers level with Express FC on the all-time winners’ list – only traditional giants SC Villa (17) and KCCA FC (13) sit above them in the National hierarchy.

Clinical champions

It didn’t take long for Vipers to flex their title credentials. Just 14 minutes in, in-form forward Mulongo punished a goalkeeping blunder by Kitara’s Farouk Yawe to slot in from close range and settle any early nerves.

And just past the hour, the ever-reliable Sentamu doubled the advantage – reacting sharply to Milton Karisa’s clever flick to rifle home and send the travelling Kitende faithful into raptures.

With the job done and eyes on this weekend’s Stanbic Uganda Cup clash against Kitara again, the coaching duo of John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda and Fred Muhumuza smartly rang the changes – withdrawing key starters including Karisa, Karim Watambala and Allan Okello to keep them fresh for the silverware double pursuit.

Homecoming party set

Vipers now sit top on 68 points from 29 games, four clear of NEC FC (64), whose 1-0 win over SC Villa merely delayed the coronation by a few hours.

The title celebration is now firmly booked for May 24 at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, where the Venoms will welcome already-relegated Soltilo Bright Stars FC – a side expected to offer a guard of honour before the champagne flows in front of a packed-to-the-rafters Kitende fortress.

Another title. Another chapter of dominance. The kingdom at Kitende continues to reign.

STATISTICS CORNER

Vipers SC have now won 7 Uganda Premier League titles: 2010, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023 & 2025.

Sharp Fact: This is their third title in the last four seasons (2021/22, 2022/23 & 2024/25)

Vipers Record This Season Thus Far

Matches: 29

Wins: 21

Draws: 5

Losses: 3

Goals Scored: 48

Goals Conceded: 14

Goal Difference: +34

Clean Sheets: 16

Points: 68

Top scorers (club, UPL only):

Allan Okello – 18

Milton Karisa – 9

Isaac Ogwang – 7

Yunus Sentamu – 6

Gusto Mulongo – 4

Home Feeling: Kitende remains a fortress: 12 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses at home in league play.

Elite Club: Vipers become only the third club to win 3+ UPL titles in a 4-season span, after SC Villa and KCCA.