NEC FC vs Mbarara City – Team News, Preview, Stats, Prediction

Friday Fixtures
UPDF FC vs URA FC, 4pm – Bombo
Express FC vs BUL FC, 8pm – Nakivubo
NEC FC vs Mbarara City, 8pm – Lugogo

Team News
Mbarara City – The visitors will only miss Marvin Busuulwa; the rest of the squad is available for selection.

NEC FC – Richard Basangwa, who was elbowed in the game against Express FC and rushed to hospital (now out of danger), is unavailable.

Gideon Odongo, Emmanuel Ajo, and Jacob Okao are also ruled out. The rest of the squad is available for selection.

Preview: Struggling Mbarara Visit In-Form NEC

Mbarara City, who are battling to escape relegation, travel to face NEC FC under the floodlights at the MTN-Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, on Matchday 25 of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

The visitors are winless in their last nine matches in all competitions, losing seven and drawing two. They face an NEC FC side that is yet to lose a league match in 2026.

To make matters more challenging for Mbarara City, NEC FC have kept 10 consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.

In contrast, the Ankole Lions have managed only two clean sheets in their last 10 matches across all competitions.

With forward Richard Basangwa unavailable, NEC FC’s joint top scorers, Samuel Ssekamate and Muhammad Kagawa Ssenoga (seven goals each), are expected to lead the search for goals.

Mbarara City come into this fixture after surrendering a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Maroons FC in their last league match. Prior to that, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Police FC, despite having taken the lead in that game as well.

NEC FC, on the other hand, played out a goalless draw with Express FC in their most recent match. Since the start of 2026, they have won eight and drawn four league games, highlighting the positive impact of head coach Badru Kaddu.

In the first-round meeting, Allan Mugalu scored the decisive goal as NEC FC secured victory away from home.

Last season at Lugogo, Jacob Okao and Allan Mugalu were on target as NEC FC defeated Mbarara City 2-1, with Seiri Arigumaho scoring for the visitors.

Allan Mugalu has scored in each of the last two meetings against Mbarara City and is expected to start on Friday evening.

Historically, Mbarara City have never earned a point against NEC FC, with NEC winning all five previous meetings.

Mbarara City will need an exceptional performance to secure a historic result. A win would lift them to 20 points, five above the relegation zone.

For NEC FC, victory would take them to 44 points, moving them within four points of third-placed SC Villa and fourth-placed Kitara FC.

Stats – All League Meetings (5)
NEC FC – 5 wins
Mbarara City – 0 wins
Draws – 0

Prediction: NEC FC 4-1 Mbarara City