STANBIC UGANDA CUP | SEMI-FINAL
Venue: The Royal Park, Butema – Hoima
Date: Saturday, May 17
Kick-Off: 3PM (EAT)
Stage: Semi-Finals – Second Leg
Broadcast: Sanyuka Prime TV / FUFA TV
Having already wrapped up the 2024/25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) title, Vipers SC have been early birds in Hoima with their sights now firmly set on completing a prestigious domestic double.
The Venoms will be in a buoyant mood, this Saturday, May 17, as they jog onto The Royal Park in Butema for the decisive second leg of their Stanbic Uganda Cup semi-final clash against defending champions Kitara FC.
In the first leg at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, Vipers edged a cagey contest 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Yunus Sentamu, who once again rose to the occasion when it mattered most. That narrow victory gives the Venoms a slender cushion, but they are fully aware of the uphill task that awaits them in Hoima—Kitara’s fortress where the hosts rarely lose.
A Rivalry Brewing In The Cup
This is becoming a familiar fixture in the Uganda Cup knockout stages. For the third consecutive season, Vipers and Kitara meet in the competition. Last year, Kitara shocked Vipers in the quarterfinals, winning 5-4 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw.
But the tide has slightly shifted this season. The two sides have met four times across all competitions. Vipers are undefeated in all four meetings, winning three and drawing once. This includes a 2-0 league victory in Hoima earlier this week, where goals from Gusto Mulongo and Yunus Sentamu underlined their dominance and sealed a seventh league title.
Yet, history suggests Vipers must not rest on their laurels. Kitara are a spirited side and will be banking on home support and the resilient Cup pedigree that saw them lift their first Uganda Cup title last term.
Hungry For More Silverware
For coaches; Fred Muhumuza and John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda plus the entire technical team, this second leg is not just about defending a lead – it’s about sending a statement. The Venoms have not lost a single match in this year’s Cup run, and with a league crown already in the bag, they will want to finish this campaign with the same energy and hunger.
Vipers last won the Cup in 2023 – a 1-0 win over Police FC – and are now aiming to lift it for a fourth time in their history. With Sentamu in sparkling form and midfield generals like Allan Okello and skipper Milton Karisa dictating play, they have the right blend of experience and flair to get the job done.
But Kitara won’t go down without a fight. The Hoima-based side, led by a passionate fan-base and the reliable form of defenders like Arthur Kiggundu, will throw everything at Vipers to turn the tie around.
STATISTICS CORNER
Head-to-Head This Season
League (Kitende): Vipers 0-0 Kitara
League (Butema): Kitara 0-2 Vipers
Uganda Cup 1st Leg: Vipers 1-0 Kitara
Vipers’ Road to the Semi-Finals
Round of 64: 2-1 vs Tepa FC (Mulondo x2)
Round of 32: 2-0 vs Mbarara City (Sentamu, Okello)
Round of 16: 3-0 vs Blacks Power (Honjo, Sentamu, Mulondo)
Quarterfinal: 1-0 vs SC Villa (Karisa)
Semifinal 1st Leg: 1-0 vs Kitara (Sentamu)
Kitara’s Road to the Semi-Finals
Round of 64: 4-0 vs Young Simba
Round of 32: 2-1 vs CATDA FC
Round of 16: 2-1 vs Gaddafi FC
Quarterfinal: 1-0 vs BUL FC
Semifinal 1st Leg: 0-1 vs Vipers
Previous Uganda Cup Titles
Vipers SC:
2016 – Beat Onduparaka FC
2021 – Beat BUL FC
2023 – Beat Police FC
Kitara FC:
2023 – Beat NEC FC (Final)
Key Players to Watch
Vipers SC: Yunus Sentamu, Milton Karisa, Gusto Mulongo, Allan Okello.
Kitara FC: Arthur Kiggundu, George Ssenkaaba, Titus Ssematimba, Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye.