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Giants stroll into round of 32 in dominant fashion

Singer Moses Ssali, a.k.a Bebe Cool, draws defending champions in the 2024-25 Uganda Cup at Serena. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE
What you need to know:
The reigning champions marched into the Round of 32 of the 51st edition of the prestigious knock-out tournament with ease, showcasing their class and firepower.
Stanbic Uganda Cup holders, Kitara, made a resounding statement in their title defence with a commanding 4-0 victory over Young Simba at the Bombo Military Barracks Stadium on Sunday.
The reigning champions marched into the Round of 32 of the 51st edition of the prestigious knock-out tournament with ease, showcasing their class and firepower.
Midfielder Titus Ssematimba led the charge with a brilliant brace, while striker George Ssenkaaba and winger Living Kabon added their names to the score sheet.
Ssematimba shattered the resistance of the spirited third-division outfit in the 27th minute, ensuring Kitara held a slender 1-0 lead at halftime before piling on the misery in the second half.
Mission possible
Kitara head coach, Wasswa Bbosa, attributed the team’s impressive performance to their renewed focus and determination, following a rocky start to the season under former coach Brian Ssenyondo.
Bbosa emphasized that the club's resurgence in the league will equally be mirrored in the Uganda Cup, with an unwavering ambition to defend their title and secure another berth in the Caf Confederation Cup.
“I am happy for the victory. Our target is to defend the trophy we won last year. They (Young Simba) were a good side, but we had to give a good account of ourselves in the match,” Bbosa remarked.
Record Uganda Cup winners, Express, have also signaled their intent to reignite their dominance in the competition after a gritty opening-round victory.
The Red Eagles edged past Red Devo with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph at the Namasale Technical School Playground, securing their spot in the Round of 32.
Home and dry
Other heavyweights in the competition also safely navigated their way into the Round of 32.
At the Cherish Playground in Garuga, Abbey Kikomeko's Bul overcame Garuga Stars with a slender 1-0 victory, courtesy of substitute Ibrahim Orit’s decisive goal.
Vipers battled the elements in Ngora, eliminating Tepa 2-1 in a rain-soaked encounter on Friday with a brace from forgotten defender Livingstone Mulondo.
Meanwhile, Nec bundled out UCU Mbale with a solid performance at the Mbale City Stadium, and Pakwach Young Stars cruised past Kigezi Home Boyz with an emphatic 3-0 win in Pakwach.
Ten-time winners KCCA were supposed to travel to Karamoja to face 403 Brigade at St Daniel Comboni SS Ground today but the match was postponed because Abdallah Mubiru's side has six players with the Uganda Cranes Chan team.
Elsewhere today, Ian Mutenda's troubled Soltilo Brights Stars will be at Iganga Ssaza Ground to play Iganga Young while Pajule Lions wil host Gaddafi at Pajule P/S Ground in Pader.
51st Edition of Stanbic Uganda Cup
Round of 64 , Today, 3pm
Pajule Lions vs. Gaddafi, Pajule
Iganga Young vs. Brights Stars, Iganga
Results
Young Simba 0-4 Kitara
Red Devo 0-1 Express
Garuga Stars 0-1 BulTepa 1-2 Vipers
UCU Mbale 0-4 Nec
Pakwach Young Stars 3-0 Kigezi Homeboyz