Uganda Premier League reigning champions Vipers SC have made a winning start in the regional CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.

Vipers SC humbled Djibouti’s Garde Republicaine FC 3-0 in the opening Group A match played at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday.

Former Uganda Cranes International Farouk Miya netted a brace in the first 38 minutes, while Abdu Karim Watambala added the third before the break.

Miya who signed for his former Club few days ago netted a 17^th minute free kick, and added the second after 38 minutes. The Djibouti team tried to push firward, but failed to break the Vipers SC defending line led by Kevin Dasylva Bady and Nicholas Mwere.

Watambala also got his name on the score sheet when he made mistake tapping in from close range to make it 3-0 in the third minute of added time to the interval.

After recess, the Garde Republicaine team changed their strategy and started creating some opportunities infront of the Vipers SC goalmouth.

Denis Jean Lavagne, the Vipers Sc coach said he was happy with the win. “It is good to start with a win in the tournament. Now we focus on the next match against Gor Mahia,” added the coach.

The Garde Republicaine coach Ahmed Robleh said they did not play well in the first half, but tried to improve later.

Rwanda giants APR FC will face Kenyan champions Gor Mahia FC in the second Group A match later today.

The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has selected 19 referees who will officiate the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.

Twelve teams will tussle it out in the regional tournament that takes place July 24^th to August 7^th in Kigali, Rwanda.

“We have selected match officials from different countries. They started preparing as a group in Kigali on Tuesday and hope to deliver a good tournament,” says Ali Ahmed, the CECAFA head of refereeing.

He explained that the region is training more and more referees taking into account that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Nine referees and 10 assistant referees have been selected to officiate the Club regional competition that returns to Rwanda since 2019.

The tournament kicks off on Friday with Vipers SC (Uganda) facing Garde Republicaine FC (Djibouti), while APR FC (Rwanda) take on Gor Mahia FC (Kenya) in Group A matches.

Referees: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda), Dickens Mimisa (Kenya), Saddam Houssein Mansour (Djibouti), Nasir Salum Siyah (Zanzibar), Ahmed Arajiga (Tanzania), Dick Okello (Uganda), Abdifatah Said Mire (Somalia), Malong Ring (South Sudan), Sabri Muhammad Fadi (Sudan)

Assistant Referees: Dieudonne Mutuyimana (Rwanda), Didier Ishimwe (Rwanda), Ally Ramadhani Rajabu, Hamdani Said Ally (Tanzania), Samuel Karia (Kenya), Ronald Katenya (Uganda), Omer Hamid (Sudan), Eleyeh Robleh (Djibouti), Gasim Muder Dhiya (South Sudan), Mahad Ali Mohamud (Somalia)

The President of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has said the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 will be the best ever hosted in the region.

Speaking during the official Press Conference on Wednesday afternoon, held at the Amahoro Stadium ahead of the start of the tournament, Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam said he is happy with what the hosts Rwanda have put in place.

“I thank the government of Rwanda under President Paul Kagame, and the leadership of FERWAFA for making sure that this tournament returns to Rwanda since 2019. We are confident that this is going to be the best CECAFA Kagame Cup,” added Andemariam.

He also revealed that Rwanda has already showed interest in hosting the next three editions of the tournament, citing the country’s strong infrastructure and proven hosting capacity. “Rwanda is going to host three more CAF Zonal tournaments this year and we thank them for coming forward to hosts them,” he added.

Andemariam also made it clear that CECAFA is working hard to grow the tournament so that it can attract more sponsors and teams from other Zones.

Richard Mugisha, the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) Second Vice President in-charge of Development and Technical also assured all stakeholders and teams that the standard of the tournament will be very high in all aspects.

“We are glad that CECAFA has given us the opportunity to host the CECAFA Kagame Cup again and we call upon fans to come in big numbers to cheer the teams and watch good Football,” added Mugisha.

The CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 will kick-off on Friday with Uganda’s Vipers SC facing Garde Republicaine FC (Djibouti), while APR FC (Rwanda) battle Gor Mahia FC (Kenya) in Group A matches.

The regional tournament attracting 12 teams from nine countries will climax on August 7^th with the final. The champions will pocket US$30,000, the runners-up US$20,000, and the third placed team US$10,000.

President of Rwanda Paul Kagame has contributed the prize money towards the tournament since 2002.

South African Premier League side, Kaizer Cheifs FC have signed Tanzanian defensive midfielder Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko.

The gifted Bitegeko moves from Tanzania Premier League side Azam FC to Kaizer Chiefs FC on a two-year contract.

He becomes the first Tanzanian player to sign for Kaizer Chiefs after completing his move from Azam FC.

David Obua and Ivan Bukenya from Uganda, together with Anthony Akumu (Kenya) are some of the other players from East Africa that have before featured for Kaizer Chiefs FC.

Mtasingwa takes valuable experience yo Kaizer Chiefs FC, having spent six seasons in Scandinavia, playing in the Icelandic, Norwegian and Finnish leagues. He returned home in 2024 to help Azam FC finish third in the Tanzanian League last season.

The Tanzanian international has filled the role of vice-captain for his national team.

“We warmly welcome Adolf to the family and wish him success on his journey with the Glamour Boys,” said the Club.