MATCH DETAILS
Game: Vipers SC v Entebbe UPPC FC
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Time: 8PM (Under the lights)
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
Vipers SC begin the defence of their Uganda Premier League crown on Friday with a clear objective: start with a victory as they embark on the pursuit of a ninth league title.
The Venoms host neighbours Entebbe UPPC FC at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, in their opening fixture of the 2026/27 campaign, carrying the confidence of last weekend’s FUFA Super Cup triumph over Kitara FC and the expectations that come with being Uganda’s reigning champions.
For head coach Denis Lavagne, the opener represents the first step towards another championship while also providing an opportunity to build momentum ahead of Vipers’ CAF Champions League campaign.
After seven weeks of preparation, the Frenchman believes his side are ready to get down to competitive business.
“It’s a good time to start the league now, after working for seven weeks,” Lavagne told the club media.
“We have found a good dynamic and we won the Super Cup, which is a good thing and a way to start the league. We have to start with a win because it’s important for the team to finish first.”
The Super Cup victory provided an encouraging start to Lavagne’s tenure and offered a glimpse of the standards he expects from his team throughout the season.
Vipers overcame Kitara with a disciplined defensive display, aggression and control, qualities Lavagne wants carried into the league opener.
“We had a good attitude, strong defensively, aggressive and also controlled the game well,” he said. “I hope we put up the same performance against Entebbe.”
With Vipers set to compete on both the domestic and continental fronts, Lavagne sees the league not only as a trophy to pursue but also as an important platform for preparing his squad for the Champions League.
“It’s also important to help the team prepare for the Champions League. I expect and hope we can do as we did against Kitara in the Super Cup.”
The players, meanwhile, are embracing rather than resisting the expectations surrounding the champions.
Captain Milton Karisa believes the work done during pre-season has put the squad in the right condition to begin the campaign strongly.
“The coaches have prepared us so well, so I believe we’re all ready to start the season with maximum points,” Karisa said.
Vipers are chasing a third consecutive league title, and with that ambition comes considerable pressure. Karisa, however, insists the squad has the experience and professionalism to turn that pressure into motivation.
“There’s always pressure everywhere and here at Vipers as well. But it’s how you handle the pressure, we manage it so well as professional players, so it’ll not affect us.”
The captain is also demanding consistency from his teammates, emphasising that Vipers cannot afford to take their status or any opponent for granted.
“We have to win every game and that means giving everything. What the coach demands of us isn’t much, because it’s doable, so it’s about us the players to see that we do it.”
Competition for places within the squad is another factor Karisa believes can drive the champions towards higher standards.
“We have to perform at a high level and it gives us healthy competition. It helps us improve by playing football at a high level.”
The Venoms completed the league double over Entebbe UPPC FC last season beating them both home and away (3-0 & 1-0).
Entebbe UPPC, who finished sixth in the previous campaign, will provide the first test of Vipers’ title credentials, but the champions are firmly focused on setting the tone from the outset.
With Lavagne demanding a winning start and Karisa calling for maximum commitment, Vipers know what is required: three points, a strong performance and the first step towards title number nine.