Uganda Premier League 2026/27 puts returning stars to the test

The 2026/27 StarTimes Uganda Premier League begins on August 28, with Entebbe UPPC visiting champions Vipers in the opening fixture. Several players who spent recent seasons abroad are returning to the competition, bringing experience, expectations and questions over how quickly they can influence their new teams.

Vipers have brought back a former league winner who left Uganda for Standard Liege in January 2016. His career since then has taken him to Belgium, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Ukraine, Greece and Turkey. Early appearances in the Kagame Cup and Fufa Super Cup have offered signs of his quality, while his technical ability and leadership could strengthen the champions.

KCCA’s returning attacker also arrives with a strong record from the United States. He scored 28 times in 64 MLS Next Pro League appearances for New York Red Bulls II, with his overall American tally rising above 30 after a loan spell at CT United. Before leaving Wakiso Giants in 2023, he had been among the league’s most productive players for goals and assists. KCCA will expect his greater physical maturity and experience to translate into another influential campaign.

NEC are welcoming back a forward who has already made one previous return to Uganda. After leaving Proline for Buildcon in 2018, he joined Vipers the following season and scored 12 goals in 23 league matches. He later played in Ethiopia, Israel, North Macedonia and the Czech Republic. An injury in the Fufa Super 8 final interrupted his latest comeback, but his goalscoring record gives NEC reason to expect a significant contribution when fit.

Vipers also have a familiar striker back after successful earlier seasons with the club, including a campaign in which he was named the league’s best player. Spells in China, the United Arab Emirates, India and Hong Kong were less productive, and his early return outings have raised fitness concerns. His absence from the Super Cup victory underlined the uncertainty around his readiness.

Mbarara City have reunited with a former striker who scored more than 32 league goals in 79 appearances during his first spell. His return follows one season in Ethiopia, and the club will look to him for similar output after an ambitious partnership with African Coffee Park. Kitara have also recalled a goalkeeper who starred for Uganda at the 2025 CHAN tournament, although his early performances after returning from Ethiopia have been below his previous standard.

Express have added another experienced goalkeeper who returns to the Ugandan top flight after more than a decade in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. He first left after earning recognition with Soltilo Bright Stars and later appeared for Uganda’s CHAN side in 2016. His experience and leadership will be important as the league’s returning players begin another test at home.