The first round of the 2023/24 Startimes Uganda Premier League season came to a conclusion, climaxing a spell of blistering and nerve-wracking football action.
Jinja-based outfit BUL FC finished the round at the apex with 33 points in 15 matches, while Vipers SC and Kitara FC follow closely with 30 and 29 points, respectively.
Following a dismal start, KCCA FC finally ascended from the relegation ruins and sit ninth on the 16-team table, with 19 points.
Busoga United, UPDF FC, and Arua Hill SC languish in the red zone, having collected just 15, nine and five points, respectively.
07:09 - 08.01.2024
Vipers close in on BUL at the top after dominant win over Busoga
The victory ensured that the Livingstone Mbabazi-coached side moved to 30 points in second, just three off table leaders BUL FC.
Soltilo Bright Stars FC talisman Nelson Senkatuka leads the chase for the Golden Boot, as he has found the back of the net 10 times already this season.
KCCA FC marksman Muhammad Shaban, BUL forward Alex Kitata and Maroons FC's Fred Amaku then follow suit, with eight goals apiece.
Express FC's Isaac Wagoina comes close with seven.
Meanwhile, Maroons attacker Abraham Tusubira Kakensa tops the assists chart with seven, three ahead of his nearest rivals.
Arua Hill SC captain Gadafi Wahab, Vipers' star Yunus Sentamu, URA FC's Laban Tibiita and SC Villa's Ivan Bogere are all locked on four assists after the first round.
At the back, SC Villa goalkeeper Norman Angufindru has kept the most clean-sheets with seven shutouts.
NEC custodian Samson Kiirya and BUL FC goalkeeper Tom Ikara then follow closely with six clean-sheets.
19:50 - 06.01.2024
UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE BUL drop more points to further open the title race
It's not the kind of end to the first round BUL had hoped for, as their lead at the top has been cut to just four points.
On the other hand, UPDF FC player Aggrey Kiirya has received the most bookings, with six yellow cards in the first round.
KCCA's Peter Magambo and BUL players Nicholas Mwere, George Kasonko and Walter Ochora, as well as Titus Ssematimba (Wakiso Giants), Ibrahim Musa (Arua Hill), and Rahmat Ssenfuka (Wakiso Giants), have received five yellow cards this season.
BUL defender Benon Tahomera and UPDF's Kiirya have received two red cards already this season, the most of any player in the league.
Busoga United's Stephen Odongo and John Paul Acire of NEC have turned the ball in their nets the most, managing two own goals already this season.