Open the way Kampala, Express FC are Uganda champions
Express FC players celebrate a goal during a past match.
What you need to know:
Kyetume, Myda and Kitara are relegated to the Fufa Big League.
This is a second successive season that league is decided this way. Last season, Vipers benefited.
In Kampala, Uganda
Fufa, on Tuesday, following an emergency executive committee meeting, enforced the Force Majeure clause in its competition rules to end the season due to the current Covid-19 situation int he country.
With the government-imposed 42-day lockdown extended to July 30, completing the season became complicated granting the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) leaders Express FC the 2020/21 title.
The decision effectively ends the debate on what will happen if the lockdown doesn't end before this season's calendar is over. The league had already reached 86 per cent of games and had thus passed the 75 per cent threshold in Article 18 of Fufa’s competition rules.
Thus, the Red Eagles, who led the standings with 58 points, ahead of URA (57) and Vipers (56) were declared champions for the seventh time in their history.
The rule
“Where all the clubs in the league have completed the first round fixtures but less than 75 per cent league games have been played, the table standings at the end of the first round shall be considered as the final table standing of the league,” Article 18 of Fufa’s competition rules states.
Consequently, Kyetume, Myda and Kitara are relegated to the Fufa Big League.
This is a second successive season that league is decided this way. Last season, Vipers benefited.
KCCA's case
The same rule was applied in 1991 to hand KCCA the title. “The emergency executive committee of Fufa has today (Tuesday) decided to end the league and apply the 75 per cent rule,” Fufa publicist Ahmed Hussein confirmed.
Just like Vipers, Express earn the Caf Champions League ticket. Fufa also decided that URA will be Uganda’s representatives in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Revival
This has been a season of more than revival for Express whose last title came in the 2011/12 season.
In 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20, Uganda’s oldest club flirted with relegation.
Their renaissance coincides with the return of the Kiwanuka family with lawyer Kiryowa Kiwanuka, recently appointed Attorney General, taking over as chairman in August, 2018. Coach Wasswa Bbosa has also provided a golden touch.
UPL top scorers
Yunus Sentamu
Vipers 16 goals
Eric Kambale
Express 15
Steven Dese
Mukwala URA 14
Viane Ssekajugo
Wakiso Giants13
Samuel Kayongo
Ssekamatte
Bright Stars 12
Brian Mululi
Mayanja Police 11
Living Kabon
Onduparaka 11
Charles Lwanga
KCCA 11
Paul Mucureezi
Vipers 11
Ben Ocen
Police 11
Joseph Ssemujju
Bul 11
