Kitara, Vipers Renew Rivalry in Uganda Super Cup Showdown
Uganda Cup champions Kitara FC and Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC will renew their rivalry on Saturday when they meet in the 2026 FUFA Super Cup at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
The 7 p.m. encounter brings together the two domestic champions from last season, with Kitara looking to cap their Uganda Cup triumph with another piece of silverware, while Vipers will be seeking to underline their league dominance by adding the Super Cup to their collection.
For Kitara captain Jasper Ahebwa, the Royals have prepared thoroughly for the challenge and are ready to fight for victory in front of their supporters.
Ahebwa says the team’s pre-season matches have helped them build cohesion and sharpen their readiness ahead of the new campaign, which will also see Kitara compete in the CAF Confederation Cup.
“We have prepared very well to play Vipers. As players, we are ready to play and win this Super Cup for our fans as we prepare for the CAF Confederation Cup games. The pre-season games we have played have organised us and we are just waiting for tomorrow.”
Kitara boss Wasswa Bbosa believes the team’s early exit from the FUFA Super 8 ultimately gave the technical staff valuable time to reorganise the squad and address weaknesses before the Super Cup.
The Royals were eliminated by KCCA FC in the Super 8 semi-finals, but Bbosa sees that setback as an opportunity to correct their shortcomings.
“Our withdrawal from the Super 8 helped us to reorganise our team and correct the mistakes for such games.”
Bbosa is also unfazed by Vipers’ status as league champions, insisting Kitara will enter the contest with equal belief as Uganda Cup holders.
“Despite the fact that we are playing Vipers, the champions of the league, it does not threaten us because we also hold the champion status of Uganda Cup. We are going to put up a fight and start the season with a win.”
A rivalry Kitara are yet to conquer
Saturday’s encounter comes with an interesting recent history.
Vipers have generally held the upper hand in this fixture. Available head-to-head records show the Venoms unbeaten against Kitara in their recent meetings, with one statistical record putting the tally at seven Vipers wins and four draws from 11 encounters, with Kitara yet to win.
Their most recent competitive meetings were particularly tight.
The two sides played out a 0-0 draw in the Uganda Premier League on April 10, before another stalemate in the Uganda Cup semi-final. The second leg at Kitende ended 1-1, following a goalless first leg, sending the tie into a tense conclusion before Kitara eventually progressed to the final.
That Uganda Cup success gives Kitara confidence heading into Saturday’s contest, despite Vipers’ superior historical record.
New faces add intrigue
Both clubs have also used the transfer window to strengthen their squads ahead of a demanding 2026/27 campaign.
Kitara have added Martin Kizza, who signed a two-year deal after leaving South Sudanese side El Merriekh Bentiu, while Bonney Christopher became the club’s first signing of the window.
The Royals have also brought in experienced midfielder Nicholas Kasozi from Tanzanian side Kagera Sugar on a two-year contract, adding experience to a squad preparing for both domestic and continental football.
Vipers, meanwhile, have strengthened their squad as they prepare to defend the league title and represent Uganda in continental competition. Among their new additions are attacking midfielder Farouk Miya, goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba, Nicholas Mwere and Joel Sserunjogi, all of whom were included in the club’s CECAFA Kagame Cup squad.
The two sides therefore arrive at Hamz Stadium with renewed squads and different targets, but the same immediate objective: winning the first major piece of silverware of the new season.
For Kitara, victory would provide another landmark moment after their Uganda Cup success and strengthen their confidence ahead of the CAF Confederation Cup.
For Vipers, the Super Cup offers an opportunity to start the season as they finished the last — as champions.
And with Kitara determined to finally break Vipers’ recent dominance, Saturday’s Super Cup promises another intriguing chapter in a rivalry that has increasingly become one of Uganda’s most competitive domestic matchups.