The 2023-24 StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) season officially kicks off on September 15, with SC Villa, URA FC, and BUL FC hoping to take full advantage of champions Vipers SC and KCCA FC’s absence.

Vipers, who will hope to overcome Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy in the preliminary round, and KCCA – who got a bye to the second round, will both be engaged on the continent that weekend. That means their respective opponents on the opening weekend of the UPL, Gaddafi, and Express FC, will also sit out their openers.

The rest of the clubs will, however, get with the business without further ado. Record 16-time national champions, SC Villa, open at home to newcomers Kitara at Wankulukuku on Friday, September 15. Villa’s new Serbian coach Dusan Stojanovic will be hoping to get off to a good start as the Jogoos look to do better than their third-place finish last season, while Kitara’s immediate task will be to stay in the league.

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Mbarara City, who are returning to top flight football, host a promoted sides clash against NEC in Bombo while Soltilo Bright Stars versus BUL complete Friday’s fixtures. Sunday will see Arua Hill and Busoga United, the two sides who recently got a second chance from the club licensing authorities to be included in the fixtures after failing to meet minimum requirements, face off at Kavumba, while URA will want to beat UPDF in Bombo.

Wakiso Giants at home to Maroons, an encounter that promises enterprise, completes Sunday fixtures.

StarTimes Uganda Premier League opening weekend; Friday, 15-09-23: SC Villa vs Kitara FC, Muteesa II Stadium – Wankulukuku, 4:00 pm TV; Fri, 15-09-23: Mbarara City FC vs NEC FC, Bombo Military Barracks Ground, 4:00 pm; Fri, 15-09-23: Soltilo Bright Stars FC vs BUL FC, Kavumba Recreation Ground, 4:00 pm.

Sun, 17-09-23: Arua Hill SC vs Busoga United FC, Kavumba Recreation Ground 2:00 pm TV, Sun, 17-09-23: UPDF FC vs URA FC, Bombo Military Barracks Ground, 3:00 pm, Sun, 17-09-23: Wakiso Giants FC vs Maroons FC, Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium – Wakiso, 4:00 pm TV. TBC: Gaddafi FC vs Vipers SC Gaddafi Arena – Jinja, 4:00 pm TV, TBC: KCCA FC vs Express FC MTN Omondi Stadium – Lugogo, 4:00 pm TV.