Abdallah Mubiru made his long-awaited return to the Phillip Omondi Stadium on Friday night, marking his first appearance at Lugogo since his controversial sacking by KCCA FC in April 2025.
The experienced tactician, who’s no stranger to the pressures of managerial turnover, couldn’t help but feel a sense of unfinished business after his abrupt departure from the club.
While he’s accustomed to the cutthroat nature of football management, leaving KCCA was still a bitter pill to swallow.
However, there was no time for dwelling on the past, as Mubiru had a point to prove, and on this night, he did just that.
At the start of the season, Mubiru took the helm at Entebbe UPPC FC, and in his recruitment drive, he brought in several former KCCA players, including Julius Poloto, Mustafa Mujuzi, and Isa Mubiru, three key figures who had played under his guidance at Lugogo.
The stage was set for a showdown that had been months in the making. For Mubiru, his players, and everyone at UPPC, this match had been circled on the calendar from the very first whistle of the season.
The clash lived up to the billing, and UPPC delivered a deserved 1-0 victory over the former employers of their manager.
The match’s only goal came from the in-form Ambrose Kigozi, who struck in the first half.
That goal, his eighth of the season, sent UPPC fans into raptures, as Kigozi now sits proudly atop the league’s scoring charts, one goal ahead of Henry Kaddu (Kitara) and Karim Watambala (Vipers).
What’s been equally impressive as UPPC’s attacking flair is the transformation in Mubiru’s tactical approach.
Known for his aggressive, attack-minded football at KCCA, Mubiru has switched gears with his new side, prioritizing defensive solidity.
The results have been staggering.
UPPC have now gone six consecutive games without conceding a goal, a feat that would have been unimaginable under Mubiru’s previous philosophy.
With eight clean sheets to their name, UPPC boast the best defensive record in the league, just ahead of table-toppers Vipers, who have managed seven shutouts.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for a coach once renowned for his attacking football, showing that Mubiru’s adaptability and tactical acumen are key to his success at UPPC.
The victory over KCCA moved UPPC into second place on the league table with 30 points, level with their beaten opponents, and six points behind Vipers, who also have a game in hand.
The result also sent a clear message to the rest of the league, Mubiru and UPPC are serious contenders for the top positions, and they’re not to be underestimated.
For Mubiru, the win over his former club was more than just three points, it was redemption, a statement of intent, and a reminder of his credentials as one of the league’s top tacticians.
