Lugazi beat Mbale Heroes 3-1 at Mbale stadium to pick their sixth win of the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League (UPL) season.

It was also Lugazi’s first ever win against Mbale Heroes, that now elevates the Leaders from eleventh to nineth position on the 16-team table, with 26 points from 20 games.

Meanwhile, the Surgeons continue struggling at the bottom of the table, with just ten points, collected from two wins and four draws. All the other 14 games have been losses for Bakhebi.

Kickoff at Mbale stadium on Thursday was followed with instant action – within the opening five minutes, Lugazi had already got a goal, and almost immediately after, Mbale Heroes’ go-to man was forced out, in an early substitution.

Sam Ssemugugu put the visitors in the lead as early as just the third minute of the game, utilizing a defence-splitting pass from Derrick Mwanje, that he calmly controlled to loop Simon Mabuya who was off his line.

Meanwhile, the home team’s dangerman, Waiswa Cosia who has always been the Mbale-based side’s match-winner was substituted within the opening ten minutes.

Cosia was injured and taken out after he collided with Lugazi goalkeeper Juma Mutebi. Cosia was replaced with Jeremy Matata.

After half an hour played, Hussein Ssenoga doubled Lugazi’s lead. The midfielder pulled off a clever free-kick trick – replicated straight from the training ground, perfectly executed at Mbale stadium.

Instead of going straight for goal from a free-kick, Ssenoga beat the wall with a short pass to Ssemugugu, who set him up to curl the ball past the defenders – beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.

Shortly after the restart, Mbale Heroes pulled one back through January signing Robert Eseru, who headed home in the 57th minute.

Sharif Saaka scored in the 79th minute to seal the 3-1 victory for Lugazi, after Mbale Heroes’ defenders failed to deal with Gift Lubega cross. Saaka hit the ball with one nonstop touch to find the back of the net.

Mbale Heroes vs Lugazi – Lineups Used:

Mbale Heroes XI; Simon Mabuya (GK), Musa Ssali (C), Robert Eseru, Joseph Kafumbe, Samson Kasozi, Herbert Kibirango, Peter Ssenkungu, Cosia Wasswa, Paul Musamali, Jesse Kajuba, Hilary Adima

Substitutes; Musa Malunda, Andrew Kawooya, Ceasor Olega, Mark Nsubuga, Jeremy Matata

Lugazi XI; Juma Mutebi (GK), Richard Ayiko (C), Emmanuel Obua, Joseph Othieno, Hussein Ssenoga, Ali Bayo, Derrick Mwanje, Sharif Saaka, Paul Wasswa, Sam Ssemugugu, Freedom Mungudit

Substitutes; Fahad Emuran, Moses Buga, Shafiq Avemah, Juma Lutakome, Abdul Kalanzi, Ian Amanya, Rogers Adriko, Juma Ssajjabi, Mubarak Mitala, Gift Lubega. 

All games played today Thursday, March 13,

*UPDF FC 1-2 KCCA
*Mbale Heroes 1-3 Lugazi
*Express 1-2 Police