Vipers will be aiming to tighten their grip on the Uganda Premier League (UPL) title race when they host UPDF under the floodlights at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on Tuesday evening in match day 26.
The Venoms currently top the standings with 59 points from 25 matches, holding a five-point advantage over nearest challengers NEC.
With only five fixtures remaining in the 2024/25 campaign, every point is vital as the Venoms chase their third league crown in four years.
Fresh off a 1-0 away win over Maroons and a commanding 3-1 victory against NEC, Vipers enter the contest in strong form.
Their home record this season has been particularly impressive – nine wins and three draws from 12 games – making Kitende a difficult ground for any visiting side.
Team news ahead of the encounter confirms that Vipers will be without left back Enock Luyima due to injury, while long-term absentee Arnest Ankunda remains sidelined.
For UPDF, Denis Ssekitoleko is available again after serving a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation. However, the visitors will be without Bernard Muwanga (suspension) and Edward Kawooya (injury).
UPDF, who sit eighth on the table with 33 points, face an uphill battle. The army side has struggled historically against the Venoms, failing to register a single win in their last 15 meetings dating back to the 2014/15 season.
Vipers have dominated the fixture, winning 11 times and drawing four, with 33 goals scored and only eight conceded.
The reverse fixture this season saw Vipers edge UPDF 1-0 in Bombo, thanks to a goal from Allan Okello. In their last meeting at Kitende, Vipers ran out 2-1 winners, with goals from Okello and Eric Kenzo Kambale.
Victory on Tuesday would push Vipers to 62 points and keep them firmly on course for another league triumph, leaving the chasing pack with limited room for error.
