Vipers will officially receive their 2024/25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League championship trophy on Saturday at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, in their final match against Soltilo Bright Stars FC.
It’s set to be a historic feat, as the Venoms will be the first team to lay their hands on the freshly revamped trophy, ‘Margherita’, which was unveiled on Thursday by the local football governing body, FUFA.
The team secured the title with a game to spare, having accumulated 68 points—four ahead of runners-up NEC FC, who have put up a spirited fight themselves.
In clinching the title, Vipers have equalled Express FC and are now only behind record holders SC Villa and KCCA FC, who have been crowned champions 17 and 13 times, respectively.
Since joining the Uganda Premier League in the 2009/10 season, the Kitende-based side has won the title more times than any other team (seven), with KCCA FC coming closest with five. Express, Villa, and URA are the other teams to have won the championship in that period.
Meanwhile, Vipers and Soltilo Bright Stars will be meeting for the 22nd time in the league, with the Venoms boasting a superior head-to-head record—12 wins, nine draws, and no defeats in their previous 21 encounters.
During their first-round meeting, the Venoms edged out a 2-1 victory at the Kavumba Recreation Center, courtesy of goals from Gusto Mulongo and Allan Okello. Defender Warren Buule scored Bright Stars’ consolation.
Soltilo Bright Stars have already been relegated and will be playing in the FUFA Big League next season. They currently sit 15th, having collected just 19 points from 29 matches.
