In a bittersweet evening at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, Villa secured a commanding 5-0 victory over UPDF in the Uganda Premier League, but the triumph was darkened by the tragic passing of assistant referee Peter Kabugo.
Kabugo collapsed unexpectedly in the 70th minute of the match and, despite urgent medical attention, was later pronounced dead.
His passing casts a heavy shadow over Villa’s victory, leaving players, officials, and fans alike mourning the loss of a dedicated official in the sport.
Before the tragedy unfolded, Villa took charge of the game early, with UPDF’s Aggrey Kiirya accidentally putting the ball in his own net in the first minute.
Charles Lwanga soon took the spotlight, scoring in the 11th minute and doubling his tally just minutes later, giving Villa a 3-0 lead by halftime.
The former KCCA forward added to his tally in the second half, completing his hat trick in the 51st minute and scoring again in the 71st, making him the first player this season to net four goals in a single match.
Despite the team’s celebratory performance, the evening’s events cast a somber tone, with the football community now rallying to honor Kabugo’s contributions.
With this victory, Villa moves up to fourth place in the league standings with 11 points, while UPDF remains in ninth with nine points.
Villa now prepares for an intense Kampala derby against rivals Express on November 8, while UPDF will host Mbarara City in Bombo on November 6.
