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When Abdallah Mubiru took charge of newly promoted Entebbe UPPC FC ahead of the 2025/26 Uganda Premier League season, many observers saw the appointment as a pivotal moment.
For UPPC, it was a bold step into top-flight football. For Mubiru, it was a chance to regain his footing after a turbulent period that had cast doubts on his career. As the first round closed, those doubts are being answered clearly.
UPPC sits second on the league table, far exceeding expectations, and Mubiru’s methods are earning back respect in Uganda’s top tier. Since rebranding from Gaddafi FC and achieving promotion, UPPC has defied the usual script for league newcomers.
The Printers have combined discipline, confidence, and belief to create momentum, marked by an unbeaten away record in the first round. Their most significant win came at the MTN Omondi Stadium, where they edged KCCA FC 1–0 — a club deeply linked to Mubiru’s own story.
For the coach, it was more than just three points; it was quiet validation. UPPC’s position in the league reflects a campaign built on balance. Up front, Ambrose Kigozi has been relentless.
The striker leads the league scoring charts with eight goals, matching the exact target he had set for himself in the first round. Instead of easing off, Kigozi has shown a desire for more.
“My targets remain the same for the second round,” he said, emphasizing belief, discipline, and faith as the driving forces behind his success.
At the other end of the pitch, Rogers Omendwa has been equally impactful. The goalkeeper leads the league with six clean sheets in 11 matches, anchoring a defense that has frustrated even established title contenders.
Omendwa credits teamwork and the high standards set by the technical bench for UPPC’s defensive strength, pointing out that errors are quickly addressed rather than ignored. Rogers Omendwa their goalkeeper has the most clean sheet, 6 out of 11 “We play without fear using teamwork since the beginning, and I thank my teammates for that our techinical team demand for standards that’s why we work harder where there is errors they came back and correct them the following day.” The goalkeeper says.
Football analyst Imran Mpaata believes the success is no accident. “They have managed to assemble a good squad and turned into a very good team,” he said, noting that while it may be still be early days, UPPC’s organisation and consistency stand out.
Statistically, the numbers support the impression. In their first 13 league matched UPPC conceded just nine goals, maintained multiple unbeaten runs, and displayed tactical discipline rarely seen in a promoted side.
For Mubiru, these traits are familiar — echoes of philosophies he has developed over more than a decade in Ugandan football. Mubiru’s coaching journey began in 2012 at Proline FC, where he earned early recognition for his calm authority and organizational style.
A move to KCCA FC in 2014 brought him into the spotlight, exposing him to title pressure and continental expectations. Though his first spell was brief, it laid the groundwork for future returns and deeper involvement with the club.
In 2016, Mubiru briefly took charge of Vipers SC, a high-profile role that ended prematurely, before settling into what became his longest managerial term at Police FC, where he served from late 2016 until 2022.
His time with the Cops was marked by stability and survival in tough situations, further shaping his reputation as a coach who could create order in challenging environments.
Alongside club football, Mubiru’s résumé includes significant national team experience. He served as assistant coach of the Uganda Cranes under Milutin Sredojević during a crucial World Cup qualification phase and twice assumed the role of caretaker head coach, moments that tested his leadership under intense pressure.
In 2023, he was appointed assistant coach of the Crested Cranes, an opportunity he ultimately turned down for personal reasons. A return to KCCA FC in November 2023 raised expectations again, but the stint was short-lived, reinforcing the sense that Mubiru needed a reset — a break from pressure and constant scrutiny.
According to Observers, this season is more than just a good run of form for Mubiru. It is a chance to rewrite his career narrative, not through headlines or promises, but through consistent results and a team that reflects his identity.
With UPPC firmly among the league’s top contenders and key players hitting their stride, the second round may define not only their season but also Abdallah
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