Entebbe UPPC Refuse to Blink as Printers Overcome UPDF

Entebbe UPPC Football Club continued their remarkable beginning to the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season on Tuesday night, coming from behind to defeat UPDF 2-1 at Hamz Stadium and make it two victories from as many matches. In a contest that demanded patience, character and composure, the Printers overcame an early deficit, absorbed sustained pressure and capitalised on their key moments to secure another valuable three points.

The result takes Entebbe UPPC’s tally to six points from their opening two matches, placing them among the early pace-setters in the Premier League. More significantly, the victory adds further weight to the historic 1-0 away triumph over Vipers at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, with the Printers now demonstrating that their impressive opening-day result was the beginning of something potentially special rather than an isolated upset.

UPDF entered the contest determined to prevent the hosts from enjoying another memorable evening and made their intentions clear from the opening exchanges. The visitors were energetic in possession, competed aggressively in midfield and looked particularly threatening from set pieces, where their deliveries repeatedly tested the Entebbe UPPC defence.

Their pressure eventually produced the opening goal in the 20th minute. Robert Kitabalwa swung an inviting corner into the penalty area, creating an opportunity for the UPDF attackers to attack the delivery. Derrick Taremwa rose above the defenders and produced a powerful, well-directed header that found the back of the net, giving UPDF a 1-0 advantage and momentarily silencing the home crowd.

The early setback could easily have unsettled the Printers, but they responded with the composure of a side that had already developed confidence from its opening victory. Entebbe UPPC began to take greater control of the midfield, pushed their full-backs higher up the pitch and increased the pressure on a UPDF defence that was now being forced to defend deeper.

That sustained pressure eventually produced the equaliser. Ibrahim Mugulusi delivered a dangerous free-kick into the UPDF area, and left-back Thomas Ochungo timed his movement perfectly to meet the inviting delivery and find the net. His contribution was another reminder of the attacking threat possessed by the Printers beyond their traditional forward players, while the goal restored parity and gave the hosts renewed belief.

The equaliser transformed the atmosphere inside Hamz Stadium and gave Entebbe UPPC greater confidence as they searched for a second goal before half-time. Their passing became more purposeful and their movements in the final third increasingly threatening, although UPDF remained sufficiently organised to prevent the hosts from completing the turnaround.

The clearest opportunity to take the lead before the interval arrived on the stroke of half-time. Steven Munguchi created space before producing an excellent cut-back into the danger area, where Sharif Ssengendo had the chance to put the hosts ahead. The forward, however, could not keep his header below the crossbar, sending the effort over and leaving both sides level at 1-1 at the break.

The second half brought a more open and physical contest as both teams recognised the importance of the next goal. Entebbe UPPC pushed forward in search of the breakthrough, while UPDF remained capable of threatening on the counter-attack whenever the Printers committed numbers forward.

The decisive moment arrived with 20 minutes remaining when substitute Ambrose Kigozi won a penalty for Entebbe UPPC after being brought down inside the UPDF penalty area by defender Aggrey Kirya. After fighting their way back from an early deficit, the Printers now had a golden opportunity to complete the turnaround from the spot.

Kigozi showed no hesitation when he stepped up to take the penalty. The substitute kept his nerve, dispatched the spot-kick beyond Richard Anyama and sent Entebbe UPPC into a 2-1 lead. It was a hugely significant intervention from a player who had entered the contest from the bench and ultimately provided the decisive contribution.

The goal forced UPDF to take greater risks as they chased an equaliser, but their task became even more difficult in the 75th minute when they were reduced to 10 men. Swaibu Kalule received his marching orders after committing a professional foul on Reich Triomphe Kokolo, the Congo-Brazzaville midfielder whose movement and physical presence had caused problems for the UPDF defence throughout the match.

With UPDF now playing a man down, Entebbe UPPC had an opportunity to put the result beyond doubt. The Printers continued to look for spaces and created a promising opening for Kokolo with less than 10 minutes remaining. The midfielder found himself through on goal in a one-against-one situation, but UPDF goalkeeper Richard Anyama stood between the hosts and a third goal, making an important save to preserve his team’s hopes.

Anyama’s intervention gave UPDF a brief lifeline, but Entebbe UPPC refused to surrender control of the contest. The Printers became increasingly disciplined in possession, slowed the tempo when necessary and remained compact without the ball, understanding that protecting their one-goal advantage was now as important as searching for another.

The visitors pushed forward during the final minutes in a desperate attempt to rescue a point, but the numerical disadvantage worked heavily against them. Entebbe UPPC defended their penalty area with determination and dealt with the late pressure effectively, ensuring that the visitors could not manufacture the clear chance required to level the contest.

When the final whistle finally arrived, it was the Printers who celebrated another landmark victory. The 2-1 scoreline reflected a match in which Entebbe UPPC had been tested repeatedly, yet their ability to respond to adversity and manage the decisive moments ultimately carried them over the line.

For head coach and his technical team, the victory will offer plenty of encouragement beyond the three points. The Printers demonstrated resilience after conceding first, showed attacking variety through contributions from Ochungo and Kigozi, and displayed the discipline required to protect their advantage once UPDF intensified their search for an equaliser.

Kigozi’s decisive penalty also highlighted the value of squad depth. The substitute entered the match with the task of providing fresh energy, but ended up becoming the player whose contribution determined the outcome. His composure from the spot provided Entebbe UPPC with the breakthrough they needed and ensured that their perfect start remained intact.

The victory means Entebbe UPPC have collected all six available points from their first two league matches. Their opening-weekend success against Vipers was already historic, but following it with another victory against a competitive UPDF side has elevated the significance of their start and given the Printers an early platform on which to build their season.

There is still a long way to go in the 2026/27 campaign, and the challenges will become greater as opponents begin to adjust to Entebbe UPPC’s strengths. However, two wins from two provide the Printers with exactly the kind of confidence and momentum that can transform an ambitious campaign into a memorable one.

For UPDF, the defeat will be a frustrating one after taking the lead and remaining competitive for much of the evening. Taremwa’s early header gave them the advantage, but they were unable to preserve it after Ochungo’s equaliser, while the penalty and Kalule’s dismissal ultimately turned the contest decisively in favour of the hosts.

Entebbe UPPC can now look ahead knowing that they have already passed two difficult examinations with flying colours. Six points from six, a historic victory at Kitende and another comeback triumph at Hamz Stadium have given the Printers an ideal foundation as they continue their pursuit of a successful Premier League campaign.

Elsewhere on Matchday Two, NEC FC also maintained their perfect start to the new season, defeating Lugazi FC 3-1 at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo. Like Entebbe UPPC, the Diehards now have six points from their opening two matches, ensuring that the early Premier League race is already beginning to take shape.

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Entebbe UPPC will now turn their attention to their next Uganda Premier League assignment as they prepare to build on their perfect opening. With six points already secured, the Printers will enter their next fixture with growing confidence and the belief that they can continue competing strongly against the league’s established sides.