After a 34-day break, the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (UPL) is back!
On Tuesday, February 11th, the action resumes with SC Villa visiting Wakiso Giants, while league leaders Vipers look to extend their advantage with a home clash against URA.
Like a season finale in a gripping TV series, the first round ended with plenty of drama and unanswered questions.
Now, as the second half kicks off, here are the biggest storylines to watch:
1. Is This a Two-Horse Title Race?
Vipers sit at the top with 34 points, but NEC is breathing down their necks with 33. Express, in third, trails by nine points, while KCCA and URA are both ten points adrift.
KCCA’s title hopes took a hit after FUFA’s Disciplinary Panel deducted points from their win over Mbarara City, dealing a significant blow to their campaign.
Meanwhile, Express and URA have struggled with inconsistency and off-field issues, making it unlikely they will catch up.
At this stage, it looks like a two-way battle between Vipers and NEC, but with plenty of games left, expect twists and turns—just like last season when Villa surged from nowhere to claim the title.
2. A Relegation Scrap That Could Go Down to the Wire
The relegation fight is shaping up to be just as intense as the title race.
The gap between 10th-placed Police FC and Wakiso Giants, who currently occupy the last relegation spot, is only six points.
That means Police, Mbarara City, UPDF, and Lugazi are still very much in danger, while Wakiso Giants, Soltilo Bright Stars, and Mbale Heroes will be desperate to claw their way out of the bottom three.
With so many teams at risk, this battle is far from over and could go down to the final matchday.
3. Can Villa, BUL, and Kitara Salvage Their Seasons?
SC Villa, BUL, and Kitara came into the season with high expectations, but so far, they’ve fallen short.
As reigning champions, Villa was expected to put up a strong title defense, yet they currently sit 8th, 14 points behind the leaders.
Their first-round performances haven’t matched the standards of a team looking to retain the crown.
BUL and Kitara, who were serious title contenders last season, have also disappointed despite making key signings.
Can these three sides find their form and force their way back into the title race? The second round is their chance to prove themselves.
4. Will the First-Round Flops Step Up?
At the start of the season, certain players were expected to dominate the headlines for the right reasons. Instead, they’ve been underwhelming.
Kenneth Kimera (Vipers), Ramzey Kawooya (Express), Yunus Sentamu, Derrick Nsibambi, and Anaku Sadat (KCCA), Fred Amaku (Kitara), and Isaac Wagoina (BUL) all struggled to make an impact.
Some, like Nsibambi and Anaku, have been plagued by injuries, while others, like Kimera, have struggled to break into the starting XI.
With 15 matches left, they still have time to turn things around. Will we see them rediscover their best form? The pressure is on.
The Uganda Premier League returns with plenty at stake—from a heated title race to a tense relegation fight. Will Vipers and NEC pull away?
Can struggling giants find their feet? And will the league’s underperforming stars finally deliver?
One thing is certain: the drama is far from over.
