Reigning Uganda Premier League champions SC Villa endured a frustrating return to Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, as they fell 2-0 to Maroons on Sunday.
Goals from Raymond Walugembe and former Villa midfielder Abel Eturude secured a deserved victory for the visitors, punishing the Jogoos in a match that marked their first home fixture at Wankulukuku since December.
Villa entered the contest unbeaten at home this season, having won six and drawn three of their previous fixtures.
However, their dominance at home was undone early when Walugembe capitalized on a costly mistake from goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige in the 10th minute, pouncing on a long ball from Baden Ogama before slotting into an empty net.
The hosts struggled to convert possession into clear-cut chances, with veteran winger Sula Matovu coming closest in the first half, his shot-cum-cross rattling the crossbar.
Despite pushing for an equaliser, Villa found themselves undone once again in the 78th minute when substitute Jackson Nunda played in Eturude, who calmly finished past Kibirige to seal the win.
The result marks only Maroons’ second win over SC Villa in their last 13 league meetings, having drawn six and lost five in that period.
The win lifts the Prison Warders to eighth place on the table with 27 points, while Villa drop to ninth on 24 points, increasing the pressure on head coach Morley Byekwaso.
SC Villa will now look to regroup when they travel to relegation-threatened Bright Stars on March 15, while Maroons will take confidence from a well-executed performance on the road, when they host title-chasers NEC a day before.
