Vipers SC Junior Team ended Bul FC Junior Team’s three-year reign in the FUFA Juniors League after a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the 2025 grand finale played on Wednesday afternoon at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba.
In a tightly contested first half, both sides approached the game with caution, producing few clear chances as fans eagerly waited for a breakthrough.
The second stanza, however, provided the much-needed spark, with Junior Venoms forward Arafat Nkoola grabbing the spotlight.
Nkoola broke the deadlock on the hour mark, calmly finishing to give Vipers the lead.
Bul responded almost immediately, as their talisman and league’s leading scorer Ivan Waturu converted a penalty three minutes later to notch his 21st goal of the season.
But Vipers needed just a minute to restore their advantage—Nkoola once again stepping up with a towering header to complete his brace and swing momentum back in his team’s favor.
Bul FC JT threw on fresh legs in a bid to claw back into the contest, introducing Uganda Cubs skipper Richard Okello and lively forward Gift Fred Mutalya, but Vipers stood resolute at the back.
The Venoms eventually held firm until the final whistle to seal their third Juniors League title, having previously triumphed in 2015/16 (vs KCCA FC SA) and 2017/18 (vs Onduparaka JT).
The occasion was further lit up at halftime when Uganda Cranes midfielder Isma Mugulusi—himself a proud product of the FUFA Juniors League—brought the glittering trophy onto the pitch, symbolizing the competition’s impact as a breeding ground for national stars.
The victory not only crowned Vipers as champions but also marked the end of Bul FC JT’s dominance, who had lifted the title in three consecutive editions prior.
Since its inception in 2015, the FUFA Juniors League has continued to nurture talents such as Allan Okello, Abdu Azizi Kayondo, Travis Mutyaba, Rogers Mato, Kenneth Semakula, and Mugulusi, reaffirming its place as a cornerstone of Uganda’s football development.
The awarding ceremony that was graced by FUFA 2nd Vice President Dr.Taibu Azah, FUFA Exco. Member and Bul FC chairman Ronald Barente as well as Vipers SC representative Muwanguzi Joel saw URA FC JT take home the Fair Play award, the Golden Glove was taken by Bul’s Wanjala Richard, Top scorer award to Bul’s Ivan Maturu while Vipers’ Arafat Nkoola was named MVP.
