The result was the fifth straight defeat for the Cops, who remain the only team yet to register a point in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League after five matchdays
“I thank God for whatever he has enabled us to do and I’m grateful to my players, they have tried to put up some good performance much as it’s not our best performance and we are going into the return leg with a reasonable goal margin,” Mubiru told the club’s official website.
“But much as we believe Kavumba is going to be another experience on the day and we are going to blame ourselves for any eventualities.”
Ocen opened the scoring early on, tapping home a Muwada Mawejje cross from the right after just two minutes as Police took the lead, and in the 18th minute, the visitors equalised through Joseph Janjali who beat the offside trap and slotted home past goalkeeper Derrick Ochan.
Vianne Ssekajugo and Joshua Lubwama, both of Wakiso Giants, saw their chances go wide as well. As the second half began, Solomon Okwalinga was unable to give Mbarara City an opener as his effort went wide from a clever position.
Uganda international Ssekajugo would have opened the score in the 55th minute as his effort was ruled out for offside. Two minutes after Ssekajugo was flagged down, the Purple Sharks took the lead as Atuheire - who received a good cross from Owen Kasule - opened his goal account.
Jude Ssemugabi wasted a chance to make the score 1-1 when his penalty hit the crossbar. The penalty miss helped Wakiso Giants move up to the eighth position after picking up draws in the previous five games.