Maroons will be targeting their first-ever league double over Bright Stars, while Lugazi and Police lock horns in a battle to strengthen their survival hopes as the Uganda Premier League second round continues today.
The Prison Warders are currently sixth on the table with 22 points, and will be looking to build on their solid first-round performance when they host relegation-threatened Bright Stars at Luzira.
Having secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Kavumba, courtesy of a Fredrick Kigozi goal, a win this time would confirm their maiden league double over Bright Stars and boost their chances of staying in the top half of the table.
The visitors, who sit second from bottom with just 10 points, will have to navigate the second round without key players Marvin Youngman and Ashraf Mulindi, who departed in the January transfer window to Vipers and Villa respectively.
That leaves senior figures like captain Nelson Ssenkatuka, Warren Buule, and Andrew Kyambadde with the responsibility of guiding the struggling team to safety.
Bright Stars have managed only nine goals in 15 matches, highlighting their struggle in attack.
Their poor form has left them deep in the relegation battle, and anything short of victory would further complicate their survival hopes.
Maroons and Bright Stars have faced off 13 times in the Uganda Premier League, with Maroons winning four, losing four, and drawing five.
At Najjembe, newly promoted Lugazi FC renew their FUFA Big League rivalry with fellow newcomers Police in what promises to be a tense encounter.
Lugazi, who are 13th with 14 points, are in dire need of a turnaround after finishing the first round on an eight-match winless streak.
Their last victory came against NEC in October, and they have since drawn six and lost two of their last eight outings.
Coach Steven Bogere has bolstered his squad with new signings, including Hussein Ssenoga, Joseph Othieno, Shafik Avemah and Lumumba Ezra, hoping they can help convert the many stalemates into victories.
Police, positioned 10th with 18 points, have been more stable but are winless in their last four league games.
They begin life without their top scorer Isaac Ogwang, who moved to Vipers after netting six of their 12 goals in the first round.
However, the arrival of Umar Kasumba and Emmanuel Loki could offer coach Simon Peter Mugerwa fresh attacking options.
With just five points separating Police from the relegation zone, failure to win at Najjembe could drag them into a survival fight.
Lugazi, on the other hand, know that victory would give them a four-point cushion above the danger zone and inject confidence into their bid to avoid the drop.
Lugazi and Police played out a goalless draw in their first-ever top-flight meeting earlier this season.
Lugazi are winless in eight league matches, with their last victory coming against NEC in October.
The action gets underway at 4pm as Lugazi host Police at Najjembe and Maroons welcome Bright Stars to Luzira.
The day’s fixtures will conclude with Express facing BUL in a late kickoff at Nakivubo Stadium.
