Sunday, August 30
•BUL 1-0 Express
•Maroons 1-2 URA
Express FC head coach Morley Byekwaso remained positive despite the Red Eagles suffering a 1-0 defeat to BUL FC in their 2026/27 Uganda Premier League opener on Sunday.
Express fell to a narrow defeat at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, with Swabir Mpasa scoring the only goal of the game after just 12 minutes.
Mpasa capitalised on poor communication in the Express defence, winning possession inside the box before charging forward and firing past goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya.
The defeat marked Byekwaso’s first competitive game in charge of Express, having been appointed ahead of the new season following the departure of Jimmy Kintu Mweru at the end of last campaign.
Despite the result, Byekwaso was pleased with aspects of his side’s performance.
“I am happy with the way we played, but disappointed with the result. The boys played very well in terms of possession and aggression,” Byekwaso said.
“The only thing we lacked was mileage because we started training very late, about a month ago.
“But there are a lot of positive things we can build on. We have to strengthen the areas where we are still lacking. We have a good future ahead of us, and we will be good to go after three games in terms of fitness.”
Express created chances in search of an equaliser, with Shafic Batambuze’s free-kick going unattended, while two other efforts were cleared off the line.
Their best opportunity fell to Isaac Wagoina against his former side, but he fired wide after BUL goalkeeper Jeans Braddy Wokorach had punched the ball clear.
BUL, however, looked the more threatening side and could have won by a bigger margin.
Kigonya came off his line to deny Derrick Byabachwezi, while Faridi Achidi failed to capitalise on a defensive lapse. Martin Aprem also missed a late opportunity with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Byekwaso and Express will now have little time to regroup, with KCCA FC visiting Nakivubo on Thursday.
BUL, meanwhile, will travel to Bukedea to face Kataka FC on the same day.
Players Used
BUL – Jeans Braddy Wokorach, George Masembe, Hillary Onek, Ronald Madoi, George Kasonko, Martin Aprem, Derrick Byabachwezi, Faizo Matovu, Denis Ssewagudde, Swabir Mpasa, Simon Achidi
Express – Mathias Kigonya, Rogers Atube, Andrew Kyambadde, Shafic Batambuze, Aaron Mutebi, Isaac Wagoina, Muluya Abasi, Douglas Rwotngeyo, Henry Wamala, Yosia King, Vincent Adriko
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