The Uganda Premier League Secretariat on Tuesday June 11 released a statistical report for the 2018/19 StarTimes league campaign, showing progress compared to the previous seasons.
The comprehensive well compiled report was made public at the secretariat’s seat at Mandela National stadium, Namboole by CEO Bernard Bainamani along with members of the secretariat Paul Kabaikaramu and Gordon Mundeyi among others.
A UPL summary of the 2018/19 season;
The 2018/19 season started on Friday, 28th September 2018 and ended on Saturday, 4th May 2019.
StarTimes signed in the league as the Title and Television Sponsor with a deal worth 7.24 Million USD for 10 years. There was a recorded increase in the number of matches that were televised live on Sanyuka TV.
Seventy-five (75) matches were televised live as compared to Sixty-three (63) matches were televised in 2017/18 and fifty-one (51) in the 2016/17 season.
All 239 matches were played as per the fixtures with only one that was washed out due to hefty rain but was completed the following day. (Ndejje University FC vs Onduparaka FC)
The league was more competitive and entertaining at both the Top and bottom of the table. In the 2017/18 season Vipers SC ended with 65 points compared to 2018/19 season where KCCA FC finished with 66 points. The relegation battle was decided on match-day 29.
The coming on board of Pilsner Man of the match and Coach/Player of the Month sponsorship was a positive to the league. These awards started in November 2018.
525 goals were scored in 240 games last season more than what was scored in the previous seasons – 446 (2017/18), 515 (2016/17) and 488 (2015/16).
There were 3 Hat tricks, 33 Braces, 51 goals Scored from the penalty spot and 8 Own goals.
Juma Balinya of Police FC emerged the Top scorer with 19 goals of which only three were penalties.
There were 693 yellow cards and 22 yellow cards in the 240 games played last season.
Ndejje received the most with 53 Yellow Cards and 3 Red cards.
Police, Tooro United and Nyamityobora were the only sides never to get a player sent off in the season.
KCCA had the most wins (19), Most Draws were 15 by URA FC while the most losses by a single club were 21 (Nyamityobora FC and Paidha Black Angels).
