Brace hero Jude Ssemugabi put up a breathtaking performance in Lugazi as Kitara opened their 2024/25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League account with a resounding 3-0 victory over the hosts on Saturday.

Fresh from a scoring debut for Uganda Cranes on Monday, the forward was in scintillating form against 10-man Lugazi, his goals in either half sending coach Brian Ssenyondo’s Kitara straight to the top on three points.

KCCA, who edged URA on the opening day on Friday thanks to Saidi Mayanja’s strike, are level points but in second place on goal difference. It was quite a rude welcome to top flight football for newcomers Lugazi, who went behind inside 25 minutes through Frank Tumwesigye’s goal.

The Kitara player latched onto a cross from the left, beating his man inside the penalty box before unleashing a fiery shot into the top right corner of Emuran Fahad’s goal for 1-0.

Lugazi’s fortunes went from bad to worse when Rogers Atube was sent off on 39 minutes after receiving a second yellow card.If Tumwesigye’s strike was devastating, Ssemugabi’s first was a thing of beauty. Fresh from scoring Uganda’s second goal in the 2-0 over Congo on Monday, Ssemugabi dropped deep and won possession inside his half.

He then embarked on a determined run, shrugging off his marker and beating two others with his pass to a flying Omedi. Ssemugabi continued his run into the penalty box as Omedi successfully evaded a tackle and charged towards goal.

The Lugazi chasing pack beaten and resigned, Omedi put in a low cross and Ssemugabi completed his good work for 2-0 three minutes to half time.