Lugazi Point Away from UPL Promotion

Sunday, May 19
*Police 2-1 Onduparaka
*Calvary 0-0 Kiyinda Boys
*Booma 1-0 Kataka
*Lugazi 4-1 Young Elephants
*Kaaro Karungi 5-1 Jinja North
*Mbale Heroes 1-0 Kyetume

Lugazi registered their 12th win of the season with a commanding 4-1 victory over relegated Young Elephants at home in the FUFA Big League.

This win brought them three vital points, pushing them closer to their goal of top-flight football.

The second-division side, known for their ambition, is now just a point away from achieving their season’s target.

With two games remaining—a home match against Kaaro Karungi and an away game against Jinja North—Lugazi’s promotion prospects are bright.

Avoiding defeat in any of these two remaining games would see them reach at least 48 points, a tally only Mbale Heroes (and promoted Police) can surpass.

Fourth-placed Kataka (42 points) can only finish with 48 points if they win their remaining two games. However, Lugazi holds a better head-to-head record against Kataka, having defeated the side 2-1 in Mbale and drawn 0-0 in the return fixture.

The match against Young Elephants started strongly for Lugazi, with Ronald Ssempala scoring in the fourth minute from a well-delivered Solomon Akodi free-kick. Despite an equalizer from the visitors in the 20th minute, Ssempala restored Lugazi’s lead in the 40th minute.

Ssempala continued his stellar performance in the second half, completing his hat-trick in the 55th minute by cleverly looping the goalkeeper. The victory was sealed in the 81st minute when Abdul Kalanzi’s penetrative pass allowed Sam Ssemugugu to tap in from close range.

With this win, Lugazi remains second on the 15-team table with 47 points, three points behind leaders Police. Police, having already secured their promotion to the Uganda Premier League with a 2-1 win over Onduparaka, sit at the top with 50 points.

Lugazi’s next fixtures will determine their fate, but their strong performance against Young Elephants has undoubtedly boosted their confidence and strengthened their push for promotion.