Kigali, Rwanda: Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC have been handed a challenging group in the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup, where they will face hosts APR FC, Kenyan giants Gor Mahia, and Garde Républicaine of Djibouti.
The draw for the regional club championship was conducted on Friday at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali ahead of the tournament, which will run from July 24 to August 7, 2026.
Vipers, Uganda’s sole representatives, enter the competition as part of their preparations for the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds following their domestic league triumph last season.
The Venoms will need to navigate one of the tournament’s toughest groups, with APR enjoying home advantage and Gor Mahia bringing vast continental and regional experience.
Only the three group winners will automatically qualify for the semi-finals, while the best-performing second-placed team across all groups will secure the fourth and final semi-final berth.
CECAFA Kagame Cup Group Stage Draw
Group A
- APR FC (Rwanda)
- Vipers SC (Uganda)
- Gor Mahia (Kenya)
- Garde Républicaine (Djibouti)
Group B
- Simba SC (Tanzania)
- Singida Black Stars (Tanzania)
- Jamus SC (South Sudan)
- Mogadishu City Club (Somalia)
Group C
- Al Hilal (Sudan)
- Rayon Sports (Rwanda)
- Tusker FC (Kenya)
- KVZ FC (Zanzibar)
The Kagame Cup remains East and Central Africa’s premier club competition, bringing together league champions and top-performing clubs from the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) member nations.
Vipers will be chasing their maiden CECAFA Kagame Cup title after strengthening their squad ahead of the new campaign.
The Kitende-based side has recruited Joel Sserunjogi, Jacques Mangoba, Nicholas Mwere, and Gabon international goalkeeper Loyce Marius Mbaba as head coach Denis Lavagne reshapes the squad for both domestic and continental assignments.
The tournament is expected to provide Lavagne with an ideal opportunity to integrate his new signings, assess combinations and build momentum before the club begins its CAF Champions League journey and the defence of the Uganda Premier League title.
Vipers last featured in the CAF Champions League group stages in the 2022/23 season and will be hoping the Kagame Cup offers the perfect platform to sharpen their preparations against some of the region’s strongest clubs.
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