The 2026/27 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season opens on Friday with champions Vipers SC entertaining Entebbe UPPC at St Mary's Stadium, Kitende.
New Venoms tactician Denis Lavagne is using the opener as a build-up to their Caf Champions League preliminary first round tie against Nouadhibou of Mauritania.
"We want to start well and the target is to defend our title," said Lavagne.
The hosts could miss Nicholas Mwere and Enock Ssebagala, both absent for last week's Fufa Super Cup 3-1 win over Kitara at Nakivubo, with no fresh injury worries reported at the club.
Entebbe UPPC travel without six key players, including last season's top scorer Ambrose Kigozi and Isa Bugembe, both short on pre-season minutes.
New signings Anwar Ntege, Grant Matsiko, Ahmed Amayo and Julius Poloto are also unavailable for the Tax Collectors' trip to Kitende.
Vipers won both league meetings between the sides last season and start as comfortable favourites on opening day.
The talking point doing the rounds in Kampala is whether Lavagne's new-look Venoms can hit the ground running against a depleted Entebbe UPPC side, or whether the visitors' disrupted pre-season will undo the champions early.
Elsewhere on match day one, KCCA host NEC in the Lugogo derby, Blacks Power face Ntugasaze at Hoima City Stadium, and SC Villa lock horns with Kitara at Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.
Kigezi visit Lugazi on Saturday, with Mbarara City also at Lugazi and UPDF hosting Kataka on the same day.
On Sunday, eight-time champions Express FC visit BUL FC at Njeru, while Maroons host URA FC at Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.
2026/27 UPL match day one fixtures
- Vipers SC vs Entebbe UPPC — Friday, St Mary's Stadium Kitende
- KCCA vs NEC — Lugogo
- Blacks Power vs Ntugasaze — Hoima City Stadium
- SC Villa vs Kitara — Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku
- Lugazi vs Kigezi — Saturday
- Lugazi vs Mbarara City — Saturday
- UPDF vs Kataka — Saturday
- BUL FC vs Express FC — Sunday, Njeru
- Maroons vs URA FC — Sunday, Mutesa II Stadium
Source: Uganda Premier League
