Enock Ssebagala’s eighth-minute header was enough for NEC to edge KCCA 1-0 at Lugogo, completing a season double over their landlords and wrapping up Matchday 16 of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

Ssebagala rose high to power in a header off Geriga Atendele’s inviting cross from the right, handing NEC their third consecutive win and fourth in their last five matches. The army side also defeated KCCA by the same scoreline in the first round.

Coach Abdallah Mubiru’s KCCA, who have won two, drawn two, and lost one of their last five games, suffered their fourth defeat in 16 matches, remaining fourth in the table standings. With 11 wins from 16 games, NEC are now level on victories with table leaders Vipers, who remain top with 37 points, having lost one game fewer than NEC.

Hussein Mbalangu’s NEC trail by just one point, while KCCA sit fourth, a distant 13 points behind Vipers. In other matches of the day, Mbarara City edged Mbale Heroes 1-0 thanks to Henry Kitegenyi’s 80th-minute winner.

The victory, Mbarara’s fifth of the season, lifted them three places to 10th on 20 points. Meanwhile, Mbale Heroes remain rooted to the bottom with just 10 points from 16 games. UPDF and Kitara played out a goalless draw in Bombo. Kitara remain eighth with 22 points, while UPDF sit 12th with 18 marks.