The fifth match day of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (UPL) kicked off on Wednesday with a sharing of spoils, as Lugazi FC and Mbale Heroes played out a 1-1 stalemate at Lugazi Stadium in Najjembe, while Police FC held Express FC to a dramatic 2-2 draw at Kavumba Recreation Grounds.
Mbale Heroes were in the spotlight as new head coach Asaph Mwebaze took charge of his first game since his return to the club.
Mwebaze had resigned towards the end of last season, citing administrative challenges during the team’s campaign in the FUFA Big League.
The match against fellow newcomers Lugazi started positively for Mwebaze’s side, who took the lead within the first 10 minutes.
Gideon Andrew Etou capitalised on a rebound after goalkeeper Juma Mutebi had saved Cosai Wasswa’s header, to put the Bakhebi in the lead.
Lugazi, however, found their rhythm and equalised in the 35th minute through Derrick Mwanje, who headed home from a short corner delivered by Abdul Kalanzi. The goal marked Lugazi’s first-ever in the UPL.
Despite opportunities in the second half, neither side could break the deadlock, and the match ended 1-1.
Lugazi remain at the bottom of the table with two points, while Mbale Heroes, with four points, sit in 12th place.
Meanwhile, Police and Express played out to a 2-2 draw at Kavumba, a result that leaves the Red Eagles’ winless away streak since January intact.
Isaac Ogwang gave the Cops the lead in the 63rd minute, but Express responded almost immediately after the break, with Sam Ssenyonjo leveling the score just three minutes into the second half.
The striker wasn’t done yet, as he struck again in the 79th minute to put Express ahead.
However, the visitors’ hopes of breaking their winless away run were dashed when Police won a penalty in the dying moments of the game.
Ogwang, who had earned the spot-kick, stepped up and converted to secure a 2-2 draw.
The result sees Express move to third on the table with eight points, while Police moved up to seventh place with seven points.
