URA FC head coach Mbalangu was full of praise for his players’ character after grinding out a battling 1–1 draw against Kitara FC at the cauldron that is Royals Park on Thursday evening.
In a fixture many had tipped to expose the Tax Collectors’ frailties, URA instead showcased steel, structure, and renewed belief to frustrate one of the form sides in the Uganda Premier League.
“This ground is never kind to visitors, so taking a point here is something we truly value,” Mbalangu reflected post-match. “More importantly, the boys showed personality. After eight games without scoring, getting that goal is a massive psychological boost.”
URA were immediately put on the back foot as Kitara asserted early dominance, pinning the visitors deep and eventually breaking through in the 12th minute via George Ssenkaba. The early setback, however, did little to rattle Mbalangu’s men.
Rather than retreat into survival mode, URA regrouped, tightened their shape, and gradually grew into the contest, a response the coach believes signals a team beginning to internalise his ideas.
“The reaction was the most pleasing part,” Mbalangu said. “We stayed calm, trusted the process, and followed the game plan. You can see the players understanding our structure and making better decisions, even under pressure.”
While admitting the opening goal stemmed from a moment of defensive laxity, the URA boss was quick to highlight his side’s resilience.
“Yes, it was avoidable, but mistakes happen,” he noted. “What matters is the response and we responded with discipline and courage.”
That resolve was rewarded in the 66th minute when Norman Namanya calmly slotted home the equaliser, ending URA’s goal drought and briefly silencing the home crowd.
Even when Kitara were reduced to ten men following Issa Lumu’s red card, URA resisted the temptation to overcommit, opting instead for control and game management a sign of growing tactical maturity.
The result denied Kitara a chance to overhaul leaders Vipers SC, while URA climbed to 13th place with 15 points, a small but significant step in their fight to steer clear of danger ahead of their clash with Mbarara City.
For Mbalangu and his squad, Butema did not offer three points but it delivered something equally valuable: proof that URA are no longer just surviving, but slowly rediscovering who they are.
