My 2025/26 Uganda Premier League Team of the Season

The 2025/26 Uganda Premier League season came to an end on Saturday, May 23, with Vipers SC crowned champions while Calvary FC and Buhimba United Saints FC suffered relegation.

Following an exciting and competitive campaign, here is my Uganda Premier League Team of the Season based on consistency, impact, and overall performances throughout the season.

Goalkeeper

Hannington Sebwalunyo

The experienced goalkeeper enjoyed an outstanding season, keeping13 clean sheets while also scoring two decisive goals against Mbarara City FC and URA FC. His leadership and consistency were crucial to his club’s impressive performances throughout the campaign.

David Lukwago of SC Villa also had an excellent debut season, but Sebwalunyo slightly edges him in my selection.

Right Back

Jonathan Odong

The Entebbe UPPC right-back had an impressive campaign both individually and collectively with his team. He registered three assists and narrowly gets the nod ahead of David Owori of SC Villa.

Left Back

Herbert Achayi

The KCCA FC left-back scored five goals and provided five assists this season, playing a major role in helping the club finish second on the table.

Kato Ssemayange and Hakim Wandera also deserve mention for their strong performances.

Centre Back

Kevin Dasylva

Excellent at reading the game, Dasylva has been one of the league’s standout defenders this season. His performances helped Vipers SC concede the joint-fewest goals in the league (17) while securing the title.

Centre Back

Raymond Barasa

Few young players can walk into the starting lineup of a big club like SC Villa and impress immediately, but Barasa managed exactly that.

The calm and composed defender helped SC Villa concede the joint-fewest goals in the league alongside Vipers, and in my opinion, he has been the best central defender in the division this season.

Midfield

Saidi Mayanja

While many would prefer a traditional defensive midfielder, modern football demands players who can influence games in multiple ways. Saidi Mayanja earns his place in midfield after scoring five goals and providing five assists this season.

His 10 goal involvements highlight his importance and effectiveness going forward.

Karim Watambala

Arguably the best player in the league this season, Watambala scored 12 goals and added four assists as Vipers SC went on to win the title.

Najib Yiga

SC Villa arguably played the most structured and tactical football in the league this season, with Yiga at the heart of their midfield.

The midfielder finished as the league’s top assist provider with six assists while also scoring seven goals. Alongside Watambala and Mayanja, he forms a highly productive and balanced midfield trio with each player contributing at least 10 goal involvements.

Forward

Ambrose Kigozi

The soft-spoken Entebbe UPPC forward scored 12 league goals in a season where the club had just returned to top-flight football.

Despite major changes in both the squad and technical team following promotion, Kigozi adapted quickly and delivered an impressive debut campaign in the top division.

Usama Arafat

The Vipers SC forward scored 10 goals and registered five assists to help the club win its eighth league title.

With 15 goal involvements in his debut season at the club, Usama fully deserves his place in the Team of the Season.

Ivan Ahimbisibwe

The KCCA FC striker scored on the final day of the season to finish with 14 league goals and three assists, ultimately winning the league’s Golden Boot award.

Although his goals were not enough to deliver the title for KCCA, Ahimbisibwe remains, arguably, the best centre-forward in the Uganda Premier League at the moment.

Coach

Ivan Jacky Minnaert

Just because Vipers SC are always expected to challenge for titles does not guarantee success every season. Minnaert guided Vipers to the league crown without losing a single match on the pitch, an achievement that deserves huge recognition.

Vipers lost only one game all season, a boardroom forfeiture against Kitara FC, while SC Villa and NEC FC followed with the joint-fewest defeats at five each.

Honourable Mentions

Željko Kovačević, David Lukwago, Meddie Kibirige, Rogers Omedwa, David Owori, Kato Ssemayange, Lawrence Olaboro, Reagan Kalyowa, Bedia Ikamba, Hassan Mubiru, Patrick Kaddu, Frank Ssebuufu, Issa Bugembe, Khassim Hafizi, Hakim Wandera, Muhammad Kagawa, Yunus Sibira, Sammy Ssebaduka, Clinton Kamugisha, and Emmanuel Ochen, among others.