Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo | Friday | 8:00 PM
Tax Collectors Look to Continue Winning Start
URA FC will be aiming to make it two wins from two when they host record champions SC Villa at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, on Friday night.
The Tax Collectors opened their 2026/27 Uganda Premier League campaign in impressive fashion, coming from a goal down to defeat Maroons FC 2-1 at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.
The comeback victory provided a perfect start to life under new head coach Jimmy Kintu Mwera and gave the team an early confidence boost ahead of another demanding test.
With home advantage on their side, URA will now be targeting another three points as they seek to establish momentum at the beginning of the new campaign.
Kintu: “We Have Learnt and Improved”
Coach Jimmy Kintu Mwera believes the team has addressed the areas that needed improvement from the opening-day victory and is confident the Tax Collectors can produce another positive performance.
“We have taken lessons from the Maroons game and worked on the areas where we fell short. The boys have responded well in training, and we are ready for the challenge SC Villa will bring. We want to build on our winning start and give our supporters another result to celebrate.”
The URA head coach will be hoping his charges can combine the fighting spirit they showed against Maroons with greater control and efficiency against a Villa side looking for its first victory.
Villa Searching for First Win
SC Villa come into the contest looking to claim their first three points of the season after being held to a 1-1 draw by Kitara FC in their opening fixture.
The Jogoos took the lead but were unable to hold onto their advantage, eventually settling for a point.
That result will make Friday’s encounter even more significant for Villa, who will be determined to avoid dropping further points and will look to make a statement against URA.
Lubwama Confident of Maximum Points
URA midfielder Joshua Lubwama believes the team is well prepared for the challenge and is confident that playing in front of their home supporters can provide an added advantage.
“We have prepared well and, playing at home, we need maximum points and we shall go for that.”
Lubwama also highlighted the team’s mentality during the comeback against Maroons as an indication of the confidence growing within the squad.
“The technical staff has prepared us well, and that showed in the comeback win against Maroons. We showed great mentality, and we want to carry that spirit into this game.”
Team News
New signing Elvis Ssekajugo is a major doubt for the encounter after picking up a hamstring injury during the opening-day match against Maroons FC.
Forward Denis Kisirikko and defender Ronald Otti are also unavailable as they continue to recover from injuries.
The technical team will therefore have to assess the available options as URA look to maintain their winning momentum.
URA Out to Break Villa Hoodoo
Friday’s fixture gives URA another opportunity to end a difficult run against the Jogoos.
The Tax Collectors’ last victory over SC Villa came on the final day of the 2022/23 league season, when URA secured a 1-0 win that effectively ended Villa’s title hopes.
Since then, SC Villa have gone eight matches unbeaten against URA across all competitions, winning four and drawing four.
However, recent meetings at Nakivubo have been much tighter. Four of the last five encounters hosted by URA have ended in draws, with Villa’s only victory in that run coming last season when they won 2-0 in a Uganda Cup encounter at the same venue.
URA will be hoping to rewrite that recent history under the Nakivubo floodlights.
Key Players to Watch
The Tax Collectors will look to the experience and creativity of Moses Waiswa and Joshua Lubwama to influence the midfield battle, while Abraham Tusubira and Nelson Ssenkatuka will provide attacking options.
Midfielder Godfrey Sekibengo will also be looking to make his presence felt against the Jogoos.
A Friday Night Battle Under the Lights
With both sides seeking an early statement in the 2026/27 campaign, Friday’s encounter promises to be a fiercely contested battle.
URA will be determined to protect their perfect start, while Villa will arrive with their sights firmly set on their first victory.
Under the Nakivubo floodlights, the Tax Collectors will be hoping to deliver another performance full of character, intensity and determination—and, most importantly, another three points for the URA faithful.