Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Football Club bounced back to winning form with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Maroons FC at the Hamz Stadium on Sunday evening in match 135 of the 2024-2025 Uganda Premier League.
Moses Aliro Okabo’s first-half header proved to be the decisive moment in a tightly contested floodlit match in Kampala.
URA came into this encounter eager to make amends after their recent 0-2 loss to Vipers SC at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende. They started on the front foot, with defender Joseph Bright Vuni coming close in the opening minutes, narrowly missing the target with a well-struck volley following a corner kick.
Defender Faizo Matovu also had an early opportunity, sending a powerful header off target after an inviting corner from Okabo in the 15th minute.
Okabo’s Decisive Goal
Ivan “The Hunter” Ahimbisibwe had a golden chance to break the deadlock in the 23rd minute but fired straight at Maroons’ goalkeeper Simon Tamale. Four minutes later, Okabo missed a header from Vuni’s cross, but in the 30th minute, he made amends with a diving header off a pinpoint cross from Nyarwa Bitanywaine Olimi, handing URA the lead.
Maroons’ most potent threat came from the dynamic midfielder Ivan Asaba, who constantly tested the URA defense with his dribbling and creativity. Asaba was fouled by John Innocent Kisolo in the first half, but the resulting free-kick by Felix Okot was deflected off URA captain Enock Walusimbi, requiring brief medical attention before play resumed.
Olimi had one final attempt before the break, but his shot was comfortably saved by Tamale as URA maintained their 1-0 advantage at halftime.
Second-Half Tactical Adjustments
At the start of the second half, URA coach Alex Isabirye introduced forward Bruno Junior Bunyaga for Olimi, while Maroons brought on the left-footed Jackson Nunda for a quiet Abel Michael Eturude.
Asaba remained Maroons’ main creative spark, pressing forward with speed and trickery. In the 60th minute, Maroons made a second change, introducing Raymond Walugembe for Godwin Daniel Kitagenda. Moments later, Bunyaga set up Ibrahim Wammanah, but his shot sailed off target.
Maroons suffered a blow when Asaba was forced off due to injury, making way for Ivan Mayanja with 17 minutes left on the clock. The visitors continued to push for an equalizer, keeping URA’s backline under pressure.
Late Resilience and Substitutions
With 10 minutes left, URA made a double substitution, bringing on Joseph Ssemujju and Abraham Tusubira for Ahimbisibwe and the industrious Norman Namanya. Goalkeeper Rogers Omedwa was called into action late on, making a crucial fingertip save to deny Mayanja.
In the dying moments, George Masembe replaced the lively Okabo as URA held on for the win. The result propels URA to third place on the 16-team league table with 27 points from 17 matches.
Next Fixture
URA FC will return to action on March 1, 2025, with a challenging away fixture against Kitara FC.