Super 8 Opener: Lwanga, Mayanja Fire KCCA Past BUL; Maroons Stun Villa with Late Goal

KAMPALA – The 2026 FUFA Super 8 Tournament got off to an exciting start on Saturday, August 1, with KCCA FC securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over BUL FC while Maroons FC struck in stoppage time to hold SC Villa to a 1-1 draw at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.

The opening day of the prestigious pre-season competition, which features the top eight teams from the previous Uganda Premier League campaign, produced entertaining football as clubs began their quest for early-season silverware.

Lwanga Enjoys Dream Return as KCCA Beat BUL

Returning striker Charles Lwanga made an instant impact on his comeback to KCCA FC by finding the back of the net as the Kasasiro Boys defeated BUL FC 2-1 in the opening quarterfinal first leg.

Lwanga, who was handed a starting berth alongside fellow new signings Yunus Sibira and Elvis Ngonde, needed just 14 minutes to announce his return, tapping home from close range to hand KCCA the lead.

However, BUL responded almost immediately. Three minutes later, defender Herbert Achai was adjudged to have fouled Dennis Ssewagudde inside the penalty area, and Reagan Kalyowa calmly converted from the spot to restore parity.

The two sides continued to create chances in a lively contest before KCCA eventually reclaimed the lead in the 68th minute through Saidi Mayanja, whose decisive strike proved enough to separate the two teams at the final whistle.

BUL also fielded several new recruits from the start, including Jeans Brady Wokorach, Cyrus Kibande, Faizo Matovu, George Kaddu, Frank Katongole and George Masembe, as they began preparations for the upcoming league season.

The victory gives KCCA a slender advantage heading into the return leg scheduled for Friday, August 7, with the aggregate winner advancing to the semifinals.

Maroons Deny SC Villa with Dramatic Late Equaliser

In the day's other quarterfinal encounter, Maroons FC produced a dramatic finish to earn a 1-1 draw against SC Villa.

The record Uganda Premier League champions looked destined to claim a first-leg advantage after Aslam Ssemakula gave the Jogoos the lead during the first half with a composed finish.

SC Villa controlled large spells of the match and appeared set to take a narrow victory into the second leg.

But Maroons refused to surrender and were rewarded deep into stoppage time when substitute Marvin Oshaba capitalised on a late opportunity to level the scores, sparking celebrations on the Maroons bench and ensuring the tie remains finely balanced.

The result leaves everything to play for in the return leg, where both sides will battle for a place in the semifinals.

Tournament Taking Shape

The FUFA Super 8 serves as the traditional curtain-raiser to Uganda's domestic football season and features the top eight clubs from the previous Uganda Premier League standings.

The quarterfinal stage is played over two legs, with winners on aggregate progressing to the semifinals before the competition concludes with the final.

The opening weekend has already delivered drama, comeback goals and standout individual performances, with Charles Lwanga's scoring return for KCCA among the biggest talking points.

The tournament followed a day later with Kitara FC taking a commanding 4-0 first-leg victory over Police FC, while NEC FC and Entebbe UPPC FC settled for a 1-1 draw.

Attention now turns to the second-leg fixtures later this week, where all four semifinal places will be decided.