Ronald Media scored twice as NEC beat Lugazi 3-1 to maintain their perfect Uganda Premier League start at Lugogo.
NEC FC continued their perfect opening to the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season with a 3-1 victory over Lugazi FC at the MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo.
Richard Basangwa opened the scoring before Ronald Media struck twice as the Diehards turned a difficult first half into a commanding performance after the break. Richard Ayiko headed Lugazi’s consolation, but it arrived too late to threaten NEC’s second straight victory.
The result took NEC to six points from two matches. However, head coach Kaddu Badru Mukasa insisted that greater consistency, concentration and defensive discipline will be required if his team is to challenge for silverware.
Lugazi Frustrate NEC Before Halftime
NEC began positively, but Lugazi’s organised approach denied them an early breakthrough. Enrique Lubwama supplied much of the hosts’ attacking spark and nearly scored after ten minutes but shot wide.
Pius Obuya also threatened in the 33rd minute. After a move involving Lubwama, the midfielder drove his shot narrowly over the crossbar.
NEC’s best opening of the first period arrived shortly before halftime. Hakim Wandera beat his marker and delivered a cross towards James Jarieko, whose effort forced goalkeeper Tonny Kyamera into a full-stretch save.
That intervention preserved a goalless score at the interval. For NEC, the opening half underlined the need for sharper decision-making around the penalty area.
Basangwa Breaks Lugazi’s Resistance
The match changed seven minutes after the restart. Basangwa reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the area and finished beyond Kyamera to put NEC ahead in the 52nd minute.
The breakthrough lifted the hosts and placed Lugazi under immediate pressure. Only four minutes later, Kyamera’s attempted distribution went directly to Media, who calmly punished the mistake to make it 2-0.
It was a decisive sequence. Lugazi had kept NEC quiet throughout the opening half, but two goals in four minutes forced the visitors to abandon their cautious structure and chase the contest.
NEC then moved the ball with greater purpose against a defence losing its organisation.
Ronald Media Completes His Double
Media confirmed his status as the match’s outstanding player in the 80th minute. The forward attacked decisively and squeezed a finish inside the near post, completing his double and extending NEC’s advantage to three goals.
His contribution went beyond finishing. His speed, alertness and willingness to pressure Lugazi’s back line gave NEC an important outlet once the contest opened up after Basangwa’s opener.
Lugazi responded four minutes later when Ayiko rose highest to head home. The goal reduced the deficit, but NEC managed the remaining minutes to secure a deserved 3-1 win.
According to Kawowo Sports’ match report, NEC scored all three goals during an explosive 30-minute second-half spell. That clinical period ultimately separated the teams.
Kaddu Pleased but Demands Improvement
Mukasa welcomed his players’ efficiency after halftime but refused to treat the result as evidence that NEC had reached the required standard.
The coach acknowledged that his side struggled to impose its preferred style during the first half before rediscovering its rhythm after the interval. He was encouraged by the conversion of the chances created, yet stressed that he still expects more from the entire group.
Mukasa was particularly dissatisfied with the careless concession that denied NEC a clean sheet. As reported in his post-match assessment, he views concentration and character as essential qualities for a team pursuing the league title.
His measured reaction was significant. Strong teams do not judge themselves only by the final score; they examine whether their performance can be repeated against stronger opposition and under greater pressure.
What the Result Means for NEC and Lugazi
For NEC, six points from six provide an ideal platform. The Diehards have combined attacking quality with the ability to adjust during matches, while Basangwa and Media have demonstrated the cutting edge needed to turn pressure into goals.
Title talk remains premature after only two fixtures, but NEC’s start sends a clear message to established contenders. Their next challenge is to reproduce the intensity of this second-half display across complete matches.
Lugazi, meanwhile, can take encouragement from their disciplined first-half performance. Kyamera’s save and the visitors’ compact shape frustrated NEC for long periods. Nevertheless, the costly goalkeeping error and declining defensive organisation showed how quickly mistakes are punished at Premier League level.
The newcomers must improve their response after conceding. Ayiko’s late header displayed character, but Lugazi requires greater calm, communication and protection of possession if they are to collect points consistently.
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Take-Home Verdict
NEC’s victory was impressive because it combined patience with ruthless second-half execution. Basangwa unlocked the match, Media supplied the decisive quality, and Mukasa’s tactical adjustments helped transform a slow performance.
The 3-1 scoreline confirms NEC’s perfect start, but the coach’s warning is equally important: championship ambitions require concentration for all 90 minutes. NEC leave Lugogo with momentum and growing credibility; Lugazi leave with useful evidence that competitive spells must be converted into complete performances.
